Create a Copper Pipe Text Effect in Adobe Illustrator


Final product image
What You'll Be Creating

This tutorial was originally published in August 2013 as a Tuts+ Premium tutorial. It is now available free to view. Although this tutorial does not use the latest version of Adobe Illustrator, its techniques and process are still relevant. 
In the following steps you will learn how to create a detailed copper pipe text effect in Adobe Illustrator. 
For starters you will learn how to create the letters paths, taking full advantage of the Snap to Grid option. Next, using a basic blend and some simple rectangles, you will learn how to create a pretty simple pattern brush. 
Moving on, using that same blend along with some basic blending and vector shape building techniques, you will learn how to create the pipe corners, the pipe connectors and the pipes support. 
Once you have the pipes, you will learn how to add some subtle shading and highlights. Using the Zig Zag effect, simple shapes, some other effects, and taking full advantage of the Appearance panel, you will learn how create the taps and the water counters. 
Finally, you'll learn how to create a textured background using the Appearance panel, two raster effects, a built-in pattern, and some basic blending techniques.
Hit Command-N to create a new document. Enter 600 in the width box and 360 in the height box, and then click on the Advanced button. Select RGBScreen (72ppi)and make sure that the Align New Objects to Pixel Grid box is unchecked before you click OK.
Enable the Grid (View > Show Grid). For starters you will need a grid every 5 px, so simply go to Edit > Preferences > Guides > Grid, and enter 5 in the Gridline every box and 1 in the Subdivisions box. 
You should also open the Info panel (Window > Info) for a live preview with the size and position of your shapes. Do not forget to set the unit of measurement to pixels from Edit > Preferences > Units > General. All these options will significantly increase your work speed.

Create a new document

Pick the Type Tool (T) and focus on your Toolbar. Remove the color from the stroke, and then select the fill and set its color to black. Focus on your Artboard and simply add the black "VECTOR" piece of text. Use the Retro Stereo Thin font with the size set at 72 pt, and lower its Opacity to 30%. Move to the Layers panel and simply lock this piece of text to make sure that you don't accidentally select/move it. We will only use it as a guide.

Add your word

Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Focus on the "V", pick the Pen Tool (P) and draw a simple path as shown in the first image. Fill it with none, but add a 6 pt stroke and set its color to black. Make sure that this little path is still selected and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounder Corners. Enter a 10 px radius and click OK.

Trace the letters

Make sure that the Pen Tool (P) is still active and create the "E" path as shown in the first image. Add the same 6 pt black stroke and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 6 px radius and click OK.

Add round corners

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 65 px square and place it as shown in the first image. Fill it with none, add the 6 pt black stroke, and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 30 px radius, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance
Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A), select both anchor points highlighted in the second image, and simply hit the Delete key from your keyboard. In the end things should look like in the third image. 
Keep focusing on this path, grab the Pen Tool (P), add some paths as shown in the fourth image, and then go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 6 pxradius and click OK.

Use a rectangle to create the C

Reselect the Pen Tool (P) and create the "T" path as shown in the first image. Add the same 6 pt black stroke and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a6 px radius and click OK.

Create the T

Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 65 px circle and place it as shown in the first image. Switch to the Pen Tool (P), create a 20 px vertical path, and place it as shown in the second image. Reselect both shapes made in this step, add that 6 ptblack stoke, and make sure that there is no color set for the fill.

Create the O

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 45 x 40 px rectangle and place it as shown in the first image. Fill it with none, add the 6 pt black stroke, and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 30 px radius, click OK, and go to Object > Expand Appearance
Focus on the resulting shape, switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A), and simply click and drag across the bottom left side and hit the Delete key from your keyboard. In the end things should look like in the third image. Keep focusing on this path, grab the Pen Tool (P) and add a vertical path as shown in the fourth image.

Create the R

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 40 x 40 px rectangle and place it as shown in the first image. Fill it with none, add the 6 pt black stroke, and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 6 px radius, click OK, and go to Object > Expand Appearance
Focus on the resulting shape, switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the three anchor points highlighted in the second image and hit the Delete key from your keyboard. Select the two anchor points highlighted by the blue circle in the third image and hit Control-J (or go to Object > Path > Join). Finally, select the anchor point highlighted by the green circle and drag it to the right as shown in the fourth image.

Create the R

Pick the Pen Tool (P) and draw a path around the text as shown in the first image. Fill it with none, add the 6 pt black stroke, and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 6 px radius and click OK. In the end things should look like in the second image.

Add a frame

Pick the Pen Tool (P) and draw a second path around the text as shown in the first image. Add that same 6 pt black stroke, make sure that there's no color set for the fill, and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 6 px radius and clickOK. In the end things should look like in the second image.

Round the corners

Make sure that the Pen Tool (P) is still active, focus on the top right corner of your Artboard and create a simple path as shown in the following image. Fill it with none, add the 6 pt black stroke, and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a6 px radius and click OK
Continue with the Pen Tool (P), focus on the bottom left corner of your Artboard and create a new path as shown in the second image. Fill it with none, add the 6 pt black stroke, and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 6 px radius and click OK.

Round the corners

For the following steps you will need a grid every 1 px, so go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid and enter 1 in the Gridline every box. 
Focus on the top side of your "V" shape and you will notice that there's a small gap between the "V" shape and the paths that go around the text. You can easily solve this small problem by adjusting the positioning of the anchor points. 
Grab the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the left anchor point highlighted in the first image and drag it 1 px to the right. Then select the right anchor point highlighted in the first image and drag it 1 px to the left. Once you have finished, select all these black paths and Group them (Control-G). Move to the Layers panel, double-clickon this new group and name it "pipes". When you're done you can remove that piece of text.

Move points to create a smoother join

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 3 x 6 px shape and fill it with R=113 G=41 B=29. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 3 x 2 px shape, fill it withR=173 G=101 B=89 and place it as shown in the second image. 
Focus on your Toolbar and double-click on the Blend Tool (W) (or go to Object > Blend > Blend Options...). Select Specified Steps from the Spacing drop-down menu, enter 15 in that white box and click the OK button. 
Reselect both rectangles made in this step and simply hit Alt-Control-B (or go toObject > Blend > Make). In the end things should look like in the fourth image.

Create a pattern brush

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create two 3 x 1 px shapes and place them as shown in the first image. 
Select the top rectangle and fill it with R=193 G=121 B=109, and then select the bottom rectangle and fill it with R=103 G=31 B=19. Reselect both shapes made in this step along with that blend in the back and Group them (Control-G). 
Make sure that this new group is selected, open the Brushes panel (Window > Brushes) and hit the New Brush button (shown by the little blue arrow in the following image). Check the Pattern Brush box and click OK to open the Pattern Brush Options window. Pick a name for your brush, enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK. In the end your new pattern brush should show up inside the Brushes panel.

Create a pattern brush

Select your "pipes" group and simply replace the existing black strokes with your pattern brush. In the end things should look like in the following image.

Apply the brush

Return to the group of shapes that you used to create the pattern brush and decrease its width to 2 px. Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 2 x 6 px shape, fill it with black, place it as shown in the second image, lower its Opacity to 10% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light
Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 1 x 6 px shape. Fill it with black, place it as shown in the third image, lower its Opacity to 30% and change theBlending Mode to Soft Light. Select both black rectangles along with that resized group and Group them (Control-G). 
Make sure that this new group is selected and go to Object > Transform > Rotate. Enter a 90 degrees angle and click the Copy button. Select the newly created group, drag it down and to the right, and place it as shown in the fifth image.

Create the section

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 19 px square, fill it with a random color, place it as shown in the first image and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 5.5 px radius, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance
Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 12 px square, fill it with R=113 G=41 B=29 and place it as shown in the second image. Reselect both shapes, open thePathfinder panel (Window > Pathfinder) and click the Intersect button. 
Make sure that the Rectangle Tool (M) is still active and create a 6 px square. Fill it with black, place it as shown in the third image and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 0.5 px radius, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance
Select the resulting shape along with the other shape made in this step and click theMinus Front button from the Pathfinder panel.

Create the corner

Select the dark brown shape and make a copy in front (Control-C > Control-F). Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 18 px square and place it as shown in the second image. Fill it with none, but add a 2 pt stroke. Align it to inside, set the color to R=173 G=101 B=89 and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a6 px radius, click OK, and go to Object > Path > Outline Stroke
Select the resulting compound path along with the copy made in the beginning of the step and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Select the resulting path along with the remaining dark brown shape and hit Alt-Control-B.

Create the corner

Focus on the Layers panel, open the newest blend, select the bottom shape and make a copy in front (Control-C > Control-F). Select this copy, drag it outside the blend and bring it to front (Shift-Control-]). 
Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 17 px square and place it as shown in the third image. Fill it with none, but add a 1 pt stroke. Align it to inside, set the color toR=193 G=121 B=109 and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners
Enter a 5 px radius, click OK and go to Object > Path > Outline Stroke. Select the resulting compound path along with the copy made in the beginning of the step, and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel.

Add highlights to the corner

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 1 x 8 px shape and an 8 x 1 px shape, fill both rectangles with R=103 G=31 B=19 and place them as shown in the first image. 
Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a new 1 x 8 px shape and an 8 x 1 px shape. Fill both rectangles with white, place them as shown in the second image, lower theirOpacity to 20% and change the Blending Mode to Overlay.

Add highlights

Focus on the Layers panel and reopen that blend. Duplicate (Control-C > Control-F) the bottom shape, select the copy and drag it outside the blend. Using theRectangle Tool (M), create a 6 px square, fill it with R=103 G=31 B=19, place it as shown in the third image and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a1 px radius, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting rounded rectangle along with the copy made in the beginning of the step and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel.

Add shadow

Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 2 x 3 px shape and fill it with white. Rotate this squeezed circle 45 degrees, place it as shown in the second image, lower itsOpacity to 15% and change the Blending Mode to Overlay
Return to the Layers panel, reopen that blend and duplicate (Control-C > Control-F) the bottom shape. Drag this new copy outside the blend, bring it to front (Shift-Control-]) and focus on the Appearance panel. 
Remove the color from the fill and add a 1 pt stroke. Set its color to white, lower itsOpacity to 25%, change the Blending Mode to Overlay and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -2 px Offset and click OK. Finally, select all the shapes that make up this pipe corner and Group them (Control-G). Move to the Layers panel and simply name this new group "corner".

Add a shine

Multiply your "corner" group, and then spread and rotate (if needed) these copies as shown in the following image. Once you've finished, select all your "corner" groups and Group them (Control-G). Move to the Layers panel and name this new group "corners".

Apply the corners

Take a closer look at the top left corner and you will notice that the pipe and the pipe corner do not match. Here's a quick thing that you can do to fix it. 
Go to the Brushes panel, select your pattern brush and simply drag it over the New Brush button to duplicate it. Double-click on this newly created brush, check theFlip Across box and click OK
Get back to the top left corner, select the piece of pipe that goes into that corner and simply replace the existing pattern brush with the new one. Focus on the rest of the corner pipes and make sure that things match.

Modify the corners

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 12 x 8 px shape and fill it with R=133 G=61 B=49. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 12 x 2 px shape, fill it withR=173 G=101 B=89 and place it as shown in the second image. 
Reselect both rectangles made in this step and simply hit Alt-Control-B (or go toObject > Blend > Make). In the end things should look like in the fourth image.

Create the pipe connectors

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 12 x 1 px shape, fill it with R=193 G=121 B=109 and place it as shown in the first image. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create two 1 x 8 px shapes, fill both rectangles with R=103 G=31 B=19 and place them as shown in the second image. 
Create another two 1 x 8 px rectangles, set the fill color to white, place them as shown in the second image, lower the Opacity to 20% and change the Blending Mode to Overlay
Make sure that the Rectangle Tool (M) is still active, create two 2 x 6 px rectangles and place them as shown in the fourth image. Fill both rectangles with black, lower the Opacity to 10% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light
Continuing with the Rectangle Tool (M), create two 1 x 6 px rectangles and place them as shown in the fifth image. Fill both rectangles with black, lower the Opacityto 30% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Modify the shapes

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 8 x 4 px shape and fill it with R=113 G=41 B=29. Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 2 x 4 px shape, fill it withR=173 G=101 B=89 and place it as shown in the second image. 
Reselect both rectangles made in this step and simply hit Alt-Control-B (or go toObject > Blend > Make). In the end things should look like in the fourth image.

Create the connectors

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 1 x 4 px shape, fill it with R=193 G=121 B=109 and place it as shown in the first image. 
Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 8 x 1 px shape, fill it with R=103 G=31 B=19 and place it as shown in the second image. Create a second 8 x 1 pxshape, fill it with white, place it as shown in the third image, lower its Opacity to 20%and change the Blending Mode to Overlay
Create a 6 x 2 px rectangle, fill it with black, place it as shown in the fourth image, lower its Opacity to 10% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light. Make sure that the Rectangle Tool (M) is still active, create a 6 x 1 px shape and an 8 x 1 pxshape and place them as shown in the fifth image. 
Fill both rectangles with black, lower the Opacity to 10% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Add highlights and shadow

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 12 x 8 px shape and an 8 x 4 px shape. Fill both rectangles with white, place them as shown in the first image and click theUnite button from the Pathfinder panel. 
Select the resulting path and focus on the Appearance panel. Simply hit Shift-X to transfer the color properties from the fill to the stoke. Select the new white stroke, align it to inside, lower the Opacity to 25%, change the Blending Mode to Overlayand go to Effect > Path > Offset Path
Enter a -2 px Offset and click OK. Finally, select all the shapes that make up this pipe connector and Group them (Control-G). Move to the Layers panel and simply name this new group "connector".

Add subtle shadow

Multiply your "connector" group, and then spread and rotate (if needed) these copies as shown in the following image. Once you've finished, select all your "connector" groups and Group them (Control-G). Move to the Layers panel and name this new group "connectors".

Add the connectors

Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Select the three groups created so far and duplicate them (Control-C > Control-F). Select these copies, go to Object > Expand Appearance and Object > Expand, and then click the Unite button from the Pathfinder panel. 
Fill the resulting compound path with black, focus on the top side of the "V" shape and you will notice some small gaps. Grab the Delete Anchor Point Tool (-) and simply click on those undesirable anchor points to remove them.

Add further shading and highlights

Select the black compound path, make a copy in front (Control-C > Control-F) and send it to back (Shift-Control-[). Make sure that this copy is selected and go toEffect > Stylize > Drop Shadow
Enter the properties shown in the top left window (in the following image), click OKand go again to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the top right window (in the following image), click OK and go once again to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the bottom left window (in the following image), click OK and go one more time to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the bottom right window (in the following image) and click OK
Move to the Layers panel, double-click on this compound path and simply name it "shadow".

Add a drop shadow

Select the top back compound path and focus on the Appearance panel. Remove the color from the fill, but add a 1 pt white stroke. Align it to inside, lower the Opacityto 50%, change the Blending Mode to Overlay and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -1.5 px Offset and click OK. Move to the Layers panel, double-clickon this compound path and simply name it "highlights".

Modify the shadow

Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create an 8 x 7 px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown below and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 1 px radius, click OK and go to Effect > Warp > Bulge. Enter the properties shown in the following image, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance.

Add pipe supports

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 1 x 5 px rectangle, fill it with R=192 G=193 B=203, place it as shown in the first image and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 0.5 px radius and click OK
Select the Rounded Rectangle in the back, make a copy in front (Control-C > Control-F), bring it to front (Shift-Control-]) and focus on the Appearance panel. Remove the color from the fill, but add a 1 pt white stroke. 
Align it to inside, lower the Opacity to 50%, change the Blending Mode to Overlayand go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -2 px Offset and click OK.

Add highlights

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 6 x 11 px shape, fill it with black and place it as shown in the first image. Send this new rectangle to back (Shift-Control-[), lower its Opacity to 15% and change the Blending Mode to Overlay
Continue with the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 6 x 9 px shape, fill it with black and place it as shown in the second image. Send this new rectangle to back (Shift-Control-[), lower its Opacity to 35% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light
Reselect both rectangles made in this step along with the three shapes made in the previous step and Group them (Control-G). Move to the Layers panel and name this new group "supportFront".

Add shadows

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 20 x 5 px rectangle, fill it with the linear gradient shown below and go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a2.5 px radius, click OK and go to Object > Expand Appearance. Select the resulting shape and send it to back (Shift-Control-[).

Add a gradient

Reselect that 20 x 5 px rounded rectangle and make a copy in front (Control-C > Control-F). Focus on the Layers panel and open that "supportFront" group. Select the bottom shape and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter a 1 px Offset and click OK
Fill the resulting shape with black. Select it along with the copy made in the beginning of the step and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. Select the resulting shape, lower its Opacity to 20% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Add more shapes to the support

Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid), and then go to Edit > Preferences > General and make sure that the Keyboard Increment is set to 1 px. Reselect that 20 x 5 px rounded rectangle and make two copies in front (Control-C > Control-F > Control-F). Select the top copy and move it 1 px down using the down arrow from your keyboard. 
Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Fill the resulting shape with white, lower its Opacity to 75% and change theBlending Mode to Soft Light.

Add highlights

Reselect that 20 x 5 px rounded rectangle and add the four Drop Shadow effects shown in the following image.

Add drop shadow effects

Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create two 1 px circles. Fill both shapes with R=77 G=75 B=88 and place them as shown in the first image. Select these tiny circles along with the 20 x 5 px rounded rectangle and the subtle black and white shapes and Group them (Control-G). Focus on theLayers panel, send this new group to back (Shift-Control-[) and name it "supportBack".

Add holes

Multiply your "supportBack" group and spread the copies as shown in the following image. Once you've finished, select all your "supportBack" groups and Group them (Control-G). Move to the Layers panel and name this new group "supportBack".

Add the supports to your design

Multiply your "supportFront" group and spread the copies as shown in the following image. Once you've finished, select all your "supportFront" groups and Group them (Control-G). Move to the Layers panel and name this new group "supportFront".

Spread the copies over the text

Select the "highlights" compound path, make a copy in front (Control-C > Control-F) and bring it to front (Shift-Control-]). Make sure that this copy stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Remove the color from the stroke and add a black fill. Select it, lower the Opacity to 8%, change the Blending Mode to Multiply and go to Effect > Artistic > Film Grain. Enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK.

Add highlights and grain

Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 6 px circle, fill it with black and focus on theAppearance panel. Add a 2 pt stroke, set its color to black, align it to inside and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a 4 px radius, click OK and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Zig Zag. Enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK.

Create the round taps

Using the Pen Tool (P), create a 16 pt vertical path and place it as shown in the following image. Add a 1 pt black stroke for this path and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK.

Add detail to the tap

Reselect the vertical path and the 6 px circle and go to Object > Path > Outline Stroke. Select the resulting shapes and click the Unite button from the Pathfinderpanel. Fill the resulting shape with R=67 G=112 B=172.

Add details to the tap

Disable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Reselect your blue compound path and make two copies in front (Control-C > Control-F > Control-F). Select the top copy and move it 1 px down. 
Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Turn the resulting group of shapes into a Compound Path (Control-8 or Object > Compound Path > Make). Fill it with white, lower its Opacity to 80% and change the Blending Mode to Overlay.

Add highlights to the tap

Reselect your blue compound path and make two copies in front (Control-C > Control-F > Control-F). Select the top copy and move it 1 px up. Reselect both copies and click the Minus Front button from the Pathfinder panel. Turn the resulting group of shapes into a Compound Path (Control-8 or Object > Compound Path > Make) and fill it with R=45 G=54 B=134.

Add shadow to the tap

Enable the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). Reselect your blue compound path, focus on the Appearance panel and add a second fill using the Add New Fillbutton (shown by the little blue arrow in the following image). 
Drag this new fill to the bottom of the Appearance panel, set its color to R=57 G=100 B=155 and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a 0.5 px Offset and click OK. Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 2 px circle, fill it with R=45 G=54 B=134 and place it as shown in the following image.

Add further detailing

Select all the shapes that make up this round tap and Group them (Control-G). Select this new group, name it "roundTap" and add the four Drop Shadow effects shown in the following image. Duplicate this group (Control-C > Control-F), and then place these two taps as shown in the second image.

Add further detailing

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 6 x 30 px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown below and add a 1 pt stroke. Align it to inside, set the color to R=170 G=10 B=25, and then go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Enter a 3 pxradius and click OK.

Create the bib taps

Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 2 px circle, fill it with R=52 G=53 B=63, place it as shown below and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Enter the properties shown in the following image and click OK.

Create the bib taps

Reselect that tiny circle along with the red rounded rectangle and Group them (Control-G). Name this new group "bibTap" and add the three Drop Shadow effects shown in the following image. Duplicate this Group (Control-C > Control-F), and then place these new taps as shown in the second image.

Create the bib taps

Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 20 px circle and fill it with the linear gradient shown in the following image.

Create the water counters

Make sure that your 20 px circle is still selected and focus on the Appearancepanel. Add a second fill, drag it to the bottom of the Appearance panel, replace the existing linear gradient with the one shown in the following image, and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a 1 px Offset and click OK.

Create the water counters

Make sure that your 20 px circle stays selected and focus on the Appearance panel. Add a third fill, drag it to the top of the Appearance panel, set the color to R=236 G=236 B=236 and go to Effect > Path > Offset Path. Enter a -2 px Offset and click OK.
Return to the Appearance panel, add a 1 pt stroke and set its color to R=52 G=53 B=63. Select it, align it to inside, lower the Opacity to 15% and hit Shift-Control-Eto add the same Offset Path effect used for the fill. 
Get back to the Appearance panel and add a second stroke for this shape. Use the same color, make it 2 pt wide, align it to inside, lower the Opacity to 5% and hitShift-Control-E.

Create the water counters

Reselect your 20 px circle, focus on the Appearance panel, make sure that no fill or stroke is selected, and then add the four Drop Shadow effects shown in the following image.

Create the water counters

Using the Pen Tool (P), create a 5 px vertical path. Place it as shown in the first image, add a 1 pt stroke, and set its color to R=237 G=28 B=36. Pick the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 2 px circle, fill it with R=122 G=123 B=133 and place it as shown in the second image. 
Continue with the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 12 px circle, and place it as shown in the third image. Fill it with none, but add a 0.5 pt stroke and set its color to R=52 G=53 B=63
Make sure that this thin stroke stays selected and open the Stroke panel (Window > Stroke). Check the Dashed Line box and the Align Dashes to Corners... button (shown by the little blue arrow in the following image). Enter 0.5 in the dash box and2 in the gap box.

Create the water counters

Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 10 x 6 px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown in the first image, and lower its Opacity to 80%. Continue with the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 12 x 8 px shape, fill it with the linear gradient shown in the second image, and lower its Opacity to 30%.

Create the water counters

Select all the shapes that make up the water counter and Group them (Control-G). Move to the Layers panel and name this new group "waterCounter". Duplicate it (Control-C > Control-F) and place these water counters as shown in the second image.

Create the water counters

Pick the Rectangle Tool (M), create a shape the size of your Artboard, fill it withR=240 G=240 B=235 and send it to back (Shift-Control-[). Focus on the Appearance panel, add a second fill for this rectangle and select it. Use the radial gradient shown in the following image and change the Blending Mode toOverlay.

Add a patterned background

Make sure that your background rectangle is still selected, focus on the Appearancepanel and add a third fill. Make it black, lower its Opacity to 15%, change the Blending Mode to Multiply and go to Effect > Sketch > Note Paper. Enter the data shown below and click OK
Keep focusing on the Appearance panel and add a fourth fill for this background shape. You will need a built-in pattern for this new fill. Move to the Swatches panel (Window > Swatches), open the fly-out menu and go to Open Swatch Library > Patterns > Basic Graphics > Basic Graphics_Textures. This should open a new window with a simple set of built-in patterns. You will only need the "Diamond" pattern. 
Make sure that your rectangle is still selected, return to the Appearance panel and select that fourth fill. Add the "Diamond" pattern, lower its Opacity to 8%, change the Blending Mode to Multiply and go to Effect > Artistic > Film Grain. Enter the data shown in the following image, click OK and you're done.

Add a patterned background

Here is how it should look. I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and can apply these techniques in your future projects.

Final result

TDasany

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