The Easiest Way to Make Rainbows in Adobe Illustrator (That Actually Scale)
How to Create Scalable Rainbows in Illustrator Without Repeating Circles
If you’ve ever tried to create a rainbow in Adobe Illustrator by layering repeated circles, you’ve probably discovered how frustrating it is to scale or adjust them. The spacing goes off, things get distorted, and what should be a simple task turns into a time-consuming mess.
So here’s a better way: a warp-based rainbow that’s easy to build, fully editable, and scales up or down with no spacing issues. It’s my go-to method and it takes just a few clicks.
You can check out this video (and lots more!) over on my Instagram Page @hannah.bacon.design
Step-by-Step: Easiest Way to Create a Scalable Rainbow in Illustrator
1. Create Your Rainbow Colors
Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to draw a series of stacked rectangles, one for each color of the rainbow.
Make sure they’re aligned and evenly spaced.
Group them together (Cmd/Ctrl + G).
2. Apply the Arc Warp Effect
With your grouped rectangles selected, go to:
Effect → Warp → ArcSet the Bend to 100%
This is the trick that gives you perfectly rounded edges without distortion.
3. Expand the Appearance
Once you’re happy with the shape, go to:
Object → Expand AppearanceThis turns your rainbow into editable vector shapes you can style, recolor, or use across your designs.
Now you have a clean, scalable rainbow shape that won’t fall apart when you resize it.
Why This Method Works
No tedious manual alignment
Perfect curves every time
Quick to adjust or duplicate
Great for logos, icons, merch, or kids’ design work
Easy to edit and reuse in other layouts
Whether you're working on client branding or playful illustrations, this method saves time and keeps your file clean.
Want More Time-Saving Tools and Freebies?
This process is just one of the techniques I share across my design templates and digital assets, made especially for designers who want professional results—without starting from scratch every time.
