Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
In this tutorial I’ll be demonstrating how you can create a distressed effect with Inkscape. Once applied, the effect will make your subject look worn, gritty, and rough around the edges. To accomplish this, we’ll be using the Jitter Nodes extension and then applying a vector grunge texture. For this demonstration we’ll be applying the effect to some text, although this can work with any vector object you’d like, so don’t feel obliged to only use text.
You can download the scratch texture here: logosbynick.com/distressed-effect-with-inkscape
Want to learn more about how Inkscape works? Check out the Inkscape Master Class - a comprehensive series of over 50 videos where I go over every tool, feature and function in Inkscape and explain what it is, how it works, and why it's useful: logosbynick.com/inkscape
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Setting up the workflow
01:05 Add some text
01:45 Convert text to a path
02:00 Roughen the edges
04:00 Apply the texture
06:03 Conclusion
Intro song: "In Da Mood" by Combustibles, used with written permission
In this tutorial I’ll be demonstrating how you can create a distressed effect with Inkscape. Once applied, the effect will make your subject look worn, gritty, and rough around the edges. To accomplish this, we’ll be using the Jitter Nodes extension and then applying a vector grunge texture. For this demonstration we’ll be applying the effect to some text, although this can work with any vector object you’d like, so don’t feel obliged to only use text.
You can download the scratch texture here: logosbynick.com/distressed-effect-with-inkscape
Want to learn more about how Inkscape works? Check out the Inkscape Master Class - a comprehensive series of over 50 videos where I go over every tool, feature and function in Inkscape and explain what it is, how it works, and why it's useful: logosbynick.com/inkscape
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Setting up the workflow
01:05 Add some text
01:45 Convert text to a path
02:00 Roughen the edges
04:00 Apply the texture
06:03 Conclusion
Intro song: "In Da Mood" by Combustibles, used with written permission
