How to Curve Text in Photoshop: Complete Guide

(Last updated on September 4th, 2023)

Short Summary

In this article, you will learn how to curve text in Photoshop using three different methods:

• The Warp Text tool: This is an easy and fast way to apply different styles of warping to your text, such as Arc, Arch, Flag, Wave, etc. You can access this tool from the Type menu or by pressing Ctrl+T on your keyboard.
• The Pen tool: This is a powerful and versatile way to create custom paths for your text to follow. You can draw any shape or curve with this tool by adding and manipulating anchor points and handles. You can access this tool from the toolbar or by pressing P on your keyboard.
• The Custom Shape tool: This is a handy and convenient way to create predefined shapes for your text to follow. You can choose from a variety of shapes, such as circles, ellipses, stars, hearts, etc. You can access this tool from the toolbar or by pressing U on your keyboard.

You can also combine different methods to create more complex and creative text effects. You can also apply other effects and adjustments to your text, such as gradients, shadows, strokes, etc.

If you want to learn more about how to curve text in Photoshop, please read on. We will explain each method in detail and provide screenshots and examples for each step. Let’s begin!

Introduction

Have you ever wanted to create stunning text effects in Photoshop, such as circular text, wavy text, or spiral text? Curving text is a great way to add some flair and creativity to your designs and logos. It can also help you fit your text into different shapes and spaces.

In this article, you will learn how to curve text in Photoshop using three different methods: the Warp Text tool, the Pen tool, and the Custom Shape tool. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the type and amount of curvature you want to achieve.

By the end of this article, you will be able to curve text in Photoshop like a pro. Let’s get started!

Tools we need for this tutorial

To follow along with this tutorial, you will need Adobe Photoshop installed on your computer. You can download a free trial version from the Adobe.com.

You will also need some basic knowledge of how to use Photoshop, such as creating layers, selecting tools, and applying effects. If you are new to Photoshop, you can check out some beginner tutorials to get started.

How to curve text using the Warp Text tool

The Warp Text tool is one of the easiest and fastest ways to curve text in Photoshop. It allows you to apply different styles of warping to your text, such as Arc, Arch, Flag, Wave, etc. You can also adjust the amount and direction of the warping using sliders and handles.

To use the Warp Text tool, follow these steps:

1. Create a new document in Photoshop by going to File > New. Choose a suitable size and resolution for your project.
2. Select the Type tool from the toolbar or press T on your keyboard. Click anywhere on the canvas and type your text. You can change the font, size, color, and alignment of your text from the options bar at the top.
3. With the Type tool still selected, click on the Warp Text icon in the options bar. It looks like a T with a curved line below it.
4. A dialog box will pop up with various options and settings for warping your text. You can choose a style from the drop-down menu at the top. There are 15 styles available, each with a different effect on your text.
5. You can also adjust the Bend, Horizontal Distortion, and Vertical Distortion sliders to change the amount of warping. You can drag the handles on the bounding box around your text to change its shape and orientation.
6. When you are happy with the result, click OK to apply the warping.

As you can see, the Warp Text tool can create some interesting and fun effects on your text. However, it also has some limitations. For example, you cannot create custom paths or shapes for your text to follow. You also have less control over the curvature and spacing of your text.

If you want more flexibility and precision in curving your text, you may want to try the next method: using the Pen tool.

Related Links

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• Blur Background in Photoshop

How to curve text using the Pen tool

The Pen tool is a powerful and versatile tool that allows you to create custom paths for your text to follow. You can draw any shape or curve with the Pen tool by adding and manipulating anchor points and handles.

To use the Pen tool to curve text in Photoshop, follow these steps:

1. Create a new document in Photoshop by going to File > New. Choose a suitable size and resolution for your project.
2. Select the Pen tool from the toolbar or press P on your keyboard. Make sure you are in Path mode from the options bar at the top. This means that you are creating a path instead of a shape or a pixel layer.
3. Click anywhere on the canvas to start drawing your path. You can add more anchor points by clicking again where you want them. You can also create curves by clicking and dragging an anchor point to adjust its handles.
4. To close your path, click on the first anchor point again or press Ctrl+Enter on your keyboard.
5. To edit your path, you can use the Add Anchor Point tool or the Delete Anchor Point tool from the toolbar or press + or – on your keyboard respectively. You can also use the Convert Point Tool from the toolbar or press Alt on your keyboard to change an anchor point from smooth to corner or vice versa.
6. When you are satisfied with your path, select the Type tool from the toolbar or press T on your keyboard. Move your cursor over your path until it changes into an I-beam with a wavy line below it. This means that you can type along the path.
7. Click on the path and type your text. You can change the font, size, color, and alignment of your text from the options bar at the top.
8. To edit your text, you can use the Path Selection tool or the Direct Selection tool from the toolbar or press A on your keyboard. You can move, rotate, scale, or skew your text by dragging the handles on the bounding box around it. You can also adjust its position, orientation, and alignment along the path by using the options in the Paragraph panel.

As you can see, the Pen tool gives you more control and flexibility over how you curve your text in Photoshop. You can create any shape or curve you want for your text to follow. However, it also requires more skill and practice to use the Pen tool effectively. You may find it challenging to draw smooth and symmetrical curves with the Pen tool.

If you want an easier and faster way to curve your text along predefined shapes, you may want to try the last method: using the Custom Shape tool.

How to curve text using the Custom Shape tool

The Custom Shape tool is a handy and convenient tool that allows you to create predefined shapes for your text to follow. You can choose from a variety of shapes, such as circles, ellipses, stars, hearts, etc.

To use the Custom Shape tool to curve text in Photoshop, follow these steps:

1. Create a new document in Photoshop by going to File > New. Choose a suitable size and resolution for your project.
2. Select the Custom Shape tool from the toolbar or press U on your keyboard. Make sure you are in Path mode from the options bar at the top. This means that you are creating a path instead of a shape or a pixel layer.
3. Click on the Shape Picker menu in the options bar and choose a shape that you want for your text. There are many shapes available, each with a different effect on your text.
4. Click and drag on the canvas to draw your shape. You can hold Shift to constrain the proportions of your shape or Alt to draw from the center. You can also adjust the Fill and Stroke options in the options bar if you want to add some color or outline to your shape.
5. To edit your shape, you can use the Path Selection tool or the Direct Selection tool from the toolbar or press A on your keyboard. You can move, rotate, scale, or skew your shape by dragging the handles on the bounding box around it. You can also adjust its position and orientation by using the options in the Properties panel.
6. When you are happy with your shape, select the Type tool from the toolbar or press T on your keyboard. Move your cursor over your shape until it changes into an I-beam with a wavy line below it. This means that you can type along the shape.
7. Click on the shape and type your text. You can change the font, size, color, and alignment of your text from the options bar at the top.
8. To edit your text, you can use the Path Selection tool or the Direct Selection tool from the toolbar or press A on your keyboard. You can move, rotate, scale, or skew your text by dragging the handles on the bounding box around it. You can also adjust its position, orientation, and alignment along the shape by using the options in the Paragraph panel.

As you can see, the Custom Shape tool is a quick and easy way to curve text in Photoshop along predefined shapes. You can choose from a wide range of shapes that suit your design and style. However, it also has some drawbacks. For example, you cannot create custom shapes or paths for your text to follow. You also have less control over how your text fits into different shapes.

Conclusion

Curving text in Photoshop is a fun and creative way to enhance your designs and logos. It can help you create eye-catching and unique text effects that stand out from the crowd.

In this article, you learned how to curve text in Photoshop using three different methods:

• The Warp Text tool: This is an easy and fast way to apply different styles of warping to your text, such as Arc, Arch, Flag, Wave, etc.
• The Pen tool: This is a powerful and versatile way to create custom paths for your text to follow. You can draw any shape or curve with this tool by adding and manipulating anchor points and handles.
• The Custom Shape tool: This is a handy and convenient way to create predefined shapes for your text to follow. You can choose from a variety of shapes, such as circles, ellipses, stars, hearts, etc.

Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the type and amount of curvature you want to achieve. You can also combine different methods to create more complex and creative text effects.

Now that you know how to curve text in Photoshop, you can experiment with different styles and shapes to create your own unique designs and logos. You can also apply other effects and adjustments to your text, such as gradients, shadows, strokes, etc.

We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new and useful. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you. Happy curving!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)