How to Split Fill of Text Horizontally In Illustrator?

Question

I've seen this answered before but for some reason I can't seem to find it anywhere - I'm trying to split text horizontally like in the following logo designs:

You can see how the colors in the text are actually split 50 / 50 - there isn't a gradient applied. But when I try to replicate the first logo, the only idea that I can come up with is to split the background colors in half, expand the text, and then create a clipping mask. Unfortunately, that idea didn't work, (I was left with only white text):

So how do you split text colors in half (horizontally) and also keep the white outline? Thank you!

Answer 1

To recreate the effect in the first logo above (except for the text being italic), follow these steps:

1. First, click on the text and hit Expand

2. Click OK

3. Select the text and click Object --> Path --> Offset Path

4. Determine the width of your Offset Path (or outline)

5. Create a rectangle with no fill and no outline that cuts through your text horizontally

6. Use the selection tool to select your empty rectangle and all of the "inside shapes" of your text

7. Go to pathfinder and hit Divide

8. Use the selection tool to select the bottom half of your text. Change shapes to desired color.

Now the fill of your text is split in half horizontally.