Quick Tip: The Correct Way to Create Curved Text

Quick Tip: The Correct Way to Create Curved Text
Quick Tip: The Correct Way to Create Curved Text

Step 5

It appears that our text path is too large and the text isn’t centered with the badge. To fix this, you can resize the path using the Transform tool. Press Ctrl/Cmd+T or go to Edit > Free Transform. While holding the Shift and Alt keys, drag the corner nodes of the transform box towards the center to scale the path. When you hold the Alt and Shift key, it forces your transformation to transform from the center and in the same aspect ratio. Press Enter to apply the changes.

Our text is now in the center.


Additional Text Settings

Here are more ways you can creatively create text along a path.

Flip Text Along a Path

With the Path Selection tool selected, simply drag the point towards the center of the shape to inverse the text.

Change Text Orientation

With the Text tool selected, click on the “Toggle text orientation” button in your options bar.

Final Results

Note on the Badges

Do you like the badges shown in this tutorial? These amazing badges were designed by Zeppelin Graphics - purchase them on Creative Market.  And case you’re wondering, yes the text is created on a vector path (no warped text) :)

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87 comments on “Quick Tip: The Correct Way to Create Curved Text”

  1. THANK YOU I have been telling my designer that the curved text he made look weird but he insisted it was fine until I showed him this.

  2. Thanks, so far so good but how do I get a short text to span the lower edge of a circle? Upper arc dies the job but lower arc distorts.

  3. Using an ellipse, when I type my text in Step 3, it inserts the entire Loren Ipsom text instead of just my desire one word text. How can I fix that? Thank you.

  4. First time I did it I didn't pay attention to step 3 and it did not work. Went back and reread the instructions. Works perfectly.

    Thank you

    1. It should work the same in Photoshop CC 2019.

      Can you elaborate on what's not working?

  5. in your sample, how did you get east riverside to not be upside down. when I try to follow the path the top part is good, bottom part is upside down.

    1. You need to flip it.

      With the Path Selection tool selected, simply drag the point towards the center of the shape to inverse the text.

  6. Good article, but I think it is a judgment call on whether to use Path method vs Warp method. I find that warp does a better job of keeping the letter spacing looking nice and stylized. The Path tool's text controls are a nightmare when trying to get spacing correct, and it can tend to tilt the letters in odd ways.

  7. I just discovered the warp text tool. Glad I ran across your post.
    The Photoshop warp tool has 'flag' and 'wave'. How can either be done with out the warp tool? Creating an 'S' curve?

  8. Drag the little square/point towards the center and the text should flip over to the other side of the path.

  9. One of my pet peeves is a nice-looking graphic that is marred by bad text. One of the chief culprits is curved text because people fall into the trap of using “warp text.” I’ve run into this problem and sadly, stopped using it. Now I have an option to create some outstanding visuals for my text without things looking like amateur hour.

  10. I don't see a video or instructions... I usually see a little tool in CS6 for curves, arcs, etc and now it isn't there. But this is not a video as near as I can tell. How do I see the instructions? Thanks.

  11. Could you please explain how you got the Riverside part at the bottom? I created a new layer for that piece, but I still can't figure out how to do this.

    1. So sorry to be writing so much. I figured it out, but now my "Riverside" bottom text is on the inside of the circle, rather than on the outside of it. Is there a way to "fix" this?

    2. Try this: Select the Path Selection tool. There's a tiny <> diamond shape on the path. Click and drag that up/down to move your text.

  12. Thank you very much. I will try this today. I just wish you had a printable version of this, as the text on the web page stacks on itself when I try to print.

  13. I can't get the text to flip. You say to use the Point Selection tool, nowhere in my photoshop does anything say Point Selection tool and you don't show what it looks like. Where is the dang thing located??? I'm trying to make a logo for someone and I need it yesterday.

    1. Sorry about that. It is actually the Path Selection tool (A) which is under the Text tool. Post has been updated - thanks for the tip!

  14. Stupid question. I managed the top text just fine, but I can't get the lower text to not show upside down! ?

    1. Yes you can do this in After Effects as well. Draw a path and you should be able to add text along the path.

  15. Thank you! Just learning Photoshop for fun and trying to absorb as much as popular! Your tutorials are really awesome and greatly appreciated!

  16. I've used this technique (learned from this very page!) many times, so I thought it was about time I also said thank you!

  17. There aren't two points to adjust the start and stop of the path and when i type my text it goes onto two line when i want it on one?

  18. After selecting the Text tool (step 3) and hovering over the path, my cursor does not change, as described, and thus will not allow me to insert text on the path. I have CS5 12.0.4. Any hints?

  19. Fantastic. But here's a question I have been searching high and low for, to no avail.

    How do you create exactly the same result but instead of text, you have a narrow panoramic skyline image instead? I can't find the answer to this anywhere and have gotton exhausted for hunting for the answer for 2 days.

  20. I'm having a problem at step 4. After entering my text and clicking the path selection tool, the path vanishes. I am unable to select start or end points. Where am I going wrong?

  21. Now this was helpful. I knew their was a better way of doing it, just couldn't figure out how.
    Thanks.

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