Clipping Mask-This tool allows you to create texture “cut outs of any shape” How to Use it:
If you want to turn a letter into a texture, first right click on the letter and/or word and select CREATE OUTLINES
This will break it into a vector shape
Now you need to turn it into a compound shape> Press Ctrl + 8 on your keyboard
Now found a texture on a site like zentextures.com or on google search(make sure it is high quality)
Copy and paste the texture into Illustrator > resize the texture if it is too big.
drag the Letter or word on top of the texture. If it does not sit on top of the texure you can right click the word and select : Arrange> Bring to Front OR you can open your Layers panel( Window > Layers) and drag the word on top of the texture layer
Once the word is on top of the texture select them both by dragging a box with the selection arrow around both items.
Click Ctrl + 7 to create the clipping mask
Done!
How to Destroy or Cut up Text
Select the letter or word you want to destroy with the selection tool( black arrow)
Right click on it and choose CREATE OUTLINES
Next go the menu and choose Object> Ungroup (Shift + Ctrl + G)
Now grab the Eraser tool from the toolbar( Shift + E)
you can now draw lines through your text and it will be in pieces that you can manipulate
Done!
Using the Opacity Slider
To get text to overlap and still show through you can use the opacity slider
Window > Transparency
Use the Blending modes or use the opacity slider to change how see through your text or objects are.
Using the Brush Tool
The paint brush has several very grungey or textured brushes you can use
To find the brushes choose Window > Brushes
Click on the library icon on the bottom left of the Brushes panel