Gold Effect in Illustrator

 

STEP 1 . Make sure that your rectangle is still selected, keep focusing on the Appearance panel, and add a third fill using that same Add New Fill button.

STEP 2 .  We'll start with the easiest method that you can use to create a gold effect in Illustrator, a simple gold gradient.

Pick the Type Tool (T) and open the Character panel (Window > Type > Character).

Select the Robinson Regular font, set the size to 390 px and the tracking to 50, and then simply click on your artboard to type in "GOLDEN".

STEP 3 . Keep the Angle set to 90 degrees and then focus on the gradient sliders to create your own gold gradient .

Once you're done, simply click the New Swatch button from the Swatches panel to easily save your gold gradient Illustrator swatch.

STEP 4 . Keep focusing on the Appearance panel, select the bottom fill, and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow.

STEP 5  (OPTIONAL ) .  Click that "Stroke" text to open the Stroke fly-out panel, increase the Weight to 6 pt, and don't forget to check the Round Join button. Then go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Set the Offset to -3 px and click OK to apply the effect, and then return to the Appearance panel to lower the Opacity of your stroke to 25% and change its Blending Mode to Overlay.