The Central Perk logo invites you to have a cup of coffee in a pleasant atmosphere with friends. It displays the name of the New York cafe that became the key location in the Friends series. It was considered their meeting place that was always free; the atmosphere inside always remained unchanged, and the furniture remained the same. For this reason, both the cafeteria and the Central Perk logo became memorable.
Follow this tutorial to learn how to draw the Central Perk logo in Adobe Illustrator and how to make it your own. At the end, display your beautiful recreation on a Central Perk coffee mug. And if you prefer videos, then don't miss this new video by Jonathan Lam from the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:
If you don't have the time to learn how to draw the Central Perk logo step by step, you can always try Envato Elements, where you'll find a large selection of logo fonts and graphics that are ready to be used for coffee shop logos.
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What You'll Learn in This Central Perk Logo Tutorial
- How to make the green plate of the Central Perk sign
- How to make the ribbon of the Central Perk sign
- How to make the Central Perk coffee mug
- How to make the Central Perk font style
- How to personalize the Central Perk logo font
Tutorial Assets
You'll need the following resources in order to complete this project:
1. How to Make a New Document in Adobe Illustrator
Launch Illustrator and go to File > New to open the New Document window. There, type "Friends Central Perk logo" as the name of the document and set up the dimensions as shown. Keep the Units set to Pixels and the Color Mode to RGB. Once you're done, hit Create Document.
In the image below, you can see the other settings that I like to use while working in Illustrator. You can access them by going to Edit > Preferences.
2. How to Make the Green Plate of the Central Perk Sign
Step 1
The informative part of the Friends Central Perk logo is the middle section composed of a ribbon and a plate where the cafe's name is displayed. They occupy two lines and draw the viewer's attention.
For the green plate, grab the Rectangle Tool (M) and draw a 480 x 190 px rectangle on your artboard. Give it a green fill color and a 4 pt Stroke using black. In the Stroke panel, click on Round Cap, Round Join, and Align Stroke to Inside. Now, go over to the Transform panel and enter 90 px in the Corner Radius fields for all four corners of the shape. You will obtain the rounded plate.
Step 2
Add a new stroke under the black one by clicking on the Add New Stroke icon at the bottom of the Appearance panel. Change the color to light beige and increase the Stroke Weight to 16 pt (1). Go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform and apply the settings shown to scale and move the stroke (2). Now, go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur and apply a Radius of 8 px.
The blur goes over the plate's edges, so we'll fix this with a mask. Copy and Paste in Place (Shift-Control-V) the plate shape and remove all the existing appearances. With both shapes selected, go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Control-7) (3).
Step 3
Complete the plate design by adding two screws on the right and left sides. They are made out of a small 19 x 19 px circle with a white fill and a 3 pt black Stroke, and a straight path in the center with a 2 pt black Stroke.
3. How to Make the Ribbon of the Central Perk Sign
Step 1
Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to draw a new rectangle of about 360 x 130 px. Position it at the top of the green plate. Fill it with the beige radial gradient shown, and also apply a 4 pt Stroke using black. Activate Round Cap and Round Join in the Stroke panel (1).
Turn this shape into a ribbon with the help of the Warp effects (Effects > Warp). First, apply the Arc Upper effect and then the Arc effect (2).
These are the Warp settings that I used:
Step 2
Grab the Pen Tool (P) and draw the forked end of the ribbon as shown in the image below (1). Color it with the beige linear gradient shown, and apply a 4 pt black Stroke (1). This stroke will be consistent throughout the tutorial.
With the shape still selected, go to Object > Transform > Reflect, check Vertical, and hit Copy. You will obtain the other end of the ribbon. Move it into place and make sure to send both of them to the back by going to Object > Arrange > Send to Back (Shift-Control-[) (2).
4. How to Make the Central Perk Coffee Cup
Step 1
Two cups are present on the Central Perk sign. The hot and steamy cups of coffee create a feeling of comfort and warmth, showing that inside the cafe there's a cozy place for friends to be together and socialize. Let's recreate them in the following steps.
Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to draw a shape of about 316 x 300 px. In the Transform panel, type 130 px in all four Corner Radius fields to obtain the rounded appearance (1). Switch to the Ellipse Tool (L) and draw a 316 x 45 px ellipse almost in the middle of the rounded rectangle (2). With both shapes still selected, press Divide in the Pathfinder panel and then delete the top shape (3). Draw another smaller ellipse which will be the coffee inside the cup (4).
Step 2
For the bottom of the cup, draw a curved path with the Pen Tool (P). Give it a 16 pt Stroke and activate Round Cap in the Stroke panel (1). Follow up with Object > Expand. Make a copy of the resulting shape because we'll need it later when adding the shading on the cup.
Keep both the cup and bottom shape selected, and press Unite in the Pathfinder shape to merge them. Color the newly obtained cup with light beige, and then go to Effect > Stylize > Inner Glow and apply the settings shown (2).
Step 3
Select the bigger ellipse, color it with light beige, and apply the 4 pt black Stroke as you did before. While the Fill attribute stays selected in the Appearance panel, go to Effect > Stylize > Inner Glow and apply this effect again, using the same settings from the previous step (1).
Color the smaller ellipse with dark brown and apply a 2 pt black Stroke. Send these two ellipses behind the cup shape in the Layers panel (2).
To complete the look, Copy and Paste in Place (Shift-Control-V) the cup shape, delete the existing appearances, and apply only a 4 pt black Stroke (3). Finally, with the help of the Pen Tool (P), draw two short paths to define a separation between the actual cup and the base. Give them a 4 pt black Stroke as well (4).
Step 4
We will continue with the handle. Use the Pen Tool (P) to draw a curved path on the right side of the Central Perk coffee mug, as shown in the image below. Apply a 23 pt Stroke and click on Round Cap in the Stroke panel to obtain the rounded ends (1). Turn the handle from a stroke into a shape by going to Object > Expand. Color the handle shape with beige and apply a 4 pt black Outside Stroke (2).
Next, use the Pen Tool (P) to draw another curved path following the inner edge of the handle. Apply a 10 pt Stroke using an orange shade and the Width Profile 5 in the Stroke panel. Also, apply a 4 px Gaussian Blur to make the shading smoother (3).
To mask the blur that goes outside the handle shape, Copy and Paste in Place (Shift-Control-V) the handle shape. With the handle copy and the shading path selected, go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Control-7). Once that's done, make sure to move the entire handle behind the coffee cup (4).
Step 5
It's time to create the hot steam coming out of the coffee. Draw five wavy paths of different heights with the Pen Tool (P). Find the 20 pt Oval Brush in the Brush Libraries Menu > Artistic > Artistic_Calligraphic category and use it to stroke the five steam paths. Reduce the Stroke Weight to 0.75 pt (1).
Turn the steam paths into shapes by going to Object > Expand Appearance. Now, you can fill them with light beige and apply a 2 pt black Stroke (2).
Step 6
Position the cup on the right side of the ribbon and behind it. Let's add more shading to it. Use the Pen Tool (P) to draw a shape over the cup as shown. Give it a 20 pt Stroke using light orange, and then apply an 11 px Gaussian Blur (1).
Now, find the copy of the cup's bottom that you made earlier in the tutorial and bring it in front of the coffee cup. Color it with a darker orange and apply a 4 px Gaussian Blur (2).
Use the Pen Tool again to draw a path following the edge of the ribbon's forked end. Apply a 16 pt Stroke and a 6 px Gaussian Blur to make the shading smoother (3).
Step 7
To mask all the blur and have clean edges, select the coffee cup shape and then Copy and Paste in Place (Shift-Control-V). Remove all existing appearances. Now, select all the shading paths added to the cup in the previous step, along with the cup copy, and go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Control-7). Once that's done, make sure to move the resulting Clip group between the coffee cup shape and the black outline in the Layers panel.
Step 8
With the coffee cup still selected (without the steam), go to Object > Transform > Reflect. Choose Vertical and hit Copy to obtain the other cup. Move it to the left side of the ribbon.
To make the steam for the left cup, use the Pen Tool (P) to draw five new wavy paths of different heights. Once that's done, apply the same color and stroke as the other ones. The Friends Central Perk logo is starting to come together, right?
5. How to Make the Central Perk Font Style
Step 1
The original Central Perk logo font is an elongated sans-serif typeface. Use the Type Tool (T) to write "CENTRAL" on your artboard using the Talking Font, which has tall, narrow letters and works perfectly. Use these Character panel settings to make slight adjustments to the font:
- Font Size: 170 pt
- Vertical Scale: 90%
- Horizontal Scale: 110%
- Tracking for the selected characters: 10
Color the "CENTRAL" text with bright red and apply a 4 pt Stroke using the same color to make the text bolder. Click on the Add New Stroke icon in the Appearance panel to add a second stroke attribute at the bottom. Choose black and increase the Stroke Weight to 9 pt.
Step 2
Position the "CENTRAL" text above the green plate, and then apply the Arc Upper and Arc effects (Effects > Warp). The warped text will fit perfectly on the ribbon.
Step 3
Quite the opposite of the "CENTRAL" text, "PERK" is made in wide, bold characters with serifs and elongated segments. To recreate the "PERK" text, I used the Torpunt Font with a few adjustments. Write the text on your artboard and set the size to 170 pt. Follow up with Type > Create Outlines. Activate Rulers by going to View > Rulers > Show Rulers, and drag a guide line at the top of the letters and another guide line at the bottom (1).
Next, use the Delete Anchor Point Tool to remove some of the anchor points and get rid of the serifs as shown below (2). Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select only the resulting end points, and drag them up to the guide lines so the letters have the same height again (3).
Draw a 33 x 119 px rectangle with the Rectangle Tool (M) and align it with the leg of the letter "P", as shown. Make three more copies of this rectangle and position them on the other letters to make them wider, just like in the original "PERK" font (4). For the final touches, drag a selection over the middle arm of the letter "E" using the Direct Selection Tool (A), and move it downwards a little. Also, draw a small 8 x 10 px rectangle and place it in the middle left side of the letter "K" (5).
Step 4
Move the letters onto the green plate and add extra space between them. Once you're happy with the position of the "PERK" text, click on Unite in the Pathfinder panel, followed by Object > Compound Path > Make (Control-8). Color the newly obtained compound path with the linear gradient shown, and set the Angle to -90 degrees. Apply a 3 pt black Stroke.
Step 5
Let's add the shadow. With the PERK compound path still selected, click on Add New Fill to add a second Fill attribute at the bottom of the Appearance panel. Use black as the fill color; then go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform and apply the following settings:
- Move Horizontal: -1 px
- Move Vertical: -1 px
- Copies: 10
6. How to Personalize the Central Perk Logo Font
Save the Central Perk font style as a graphic style by clicking on the New Graphic Style icon while the text is selected. Now, you can easily apply the same style to other text, as I have in the image below with Joey's famous line, "How you doin?"
The red text is live and editable, so you can type the new text directly on the ribbon with the Type Tool (T). Feel free to test it with your name or any other unique cafe name that you come up with.
Congratulations! You're Done
You've successfully learned how to draw the Central Perk logo step by step. Put it over a coffee shop background photo like the Empty wooden table in front of blurred background of coffee shop that I've used.
Now that you know how to make it, feel free to apply the same techniques to create other coffee shop logos. Make sure to check out Envato Elements, where you will find many logo fonts and graphics to download ready to use.
The logo you made is entirely vector, so you can scale it without losing quality. Feel free to save a high-resolution Central Perk logo anytime to print it or include it in your projects. Use a Mug mockup with coffee bean to display or test how your logo looks. Take a look at this beautiful Central Perk mug!
Popular Coffee Logos From Envato Elements
Envato Elements is an excellent resource for logos and graphics that you can use for a cafe logo. These awesome coffee logos are available on Envato Elements, and they are ready to be used. You can download as many as you wish with a subscription. Let's take a look!
Vintage Manual Brewing Coffee Logo Badge (AI, EPS, PNG, SVG)
Keep it smooth and classy with this vintage coffee shop logo. The pouring coffee is very eye-catching and makes you want to have a cup right now. All you have to do is adjust the text as you wish, and you will have a very well-made logo design.
Vintage Manual Brewed Coffee Logo Badge (AI, EPS, PNG, SVG)
This vintage coffee logo has a similar color scheme to the Friends Central Perk logo: beige, green, and a pop of red. Give it a try and add some warmth and vintage charm to your logo design.
Coffee Love Foam With Beans Illustration Cartoon (AI, EPS, JPG, PNG, SVG)
Don't have the time to create a Central Perk mug? Add some love to your designs with this detailed coffee cup which is ready made for you. It can be easily turned into the perfect logo. The brightly colored cup will draw everyone's attention.
Espresso Coffee Character (AI, EPS)
This colorful coffee cup character will bring a lot of enthusiasm and energy to your logo design. The text and colors are completely editable, so feel free to make it your own. The hot coffee is inviting.
Retro Coffee Buddy Character Mascot Logo (AI, EPS, PNG, SVG)
Here's another joyful logo that suggests friends coming together to share a cup of coffee and socialize. Change the colors as you want, add your tagline, and the logo is ready. How fast!
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