PHOTOSHOP FEATURES

How to curve text in Adobe Photoshop.

Controlling the position and behavior of text is a key graphic design skill. Learn to curve, reverse, and warp text.

The word chaos is warped into waves and doubled on itself in a white opaque layer with text icon overlaid

Text controls that let you take the wheel.

Learning to control text within designs can give a big boost to both the look and flow of your projects. Photoshop gives you the tools you need to expand your creative horizons.

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A graphic green globe with a yellow curving ribbon that shows hello in many languages with curved path icon overlaid

Curve text without distorting it.

You can use the Photoshop Curved Path method to curve and shape text without distorting it. Until you finalize it, it will stay crisp, clean, and curlicue-d.

Warp and distort too.

If getting warped with curved text is more your speed, you can distort and skew it to match your artistic vision. With the Warp tool, text is yours to control.

The text London is stacked on itself four times in generic font and distorted with Warp tool icon overlaid

Unlock the power of ellipses.

Ovals are powerful shapes, and Photoshop gives you the ability to create and snap your text to their curves with the Ellipse tool, Elliptical Marquee selection, and the Curvature Pen tool.

Any font, any time.

With access to Adobe Fonts included in an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, you have the option to use, modify, and curve any font to your liking.

A grid of four graphic designs highlight the many font possibilities available with Adobe Font

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How to create a curved line of text in Photoshop.

Using the Pen tool, you can create text that follows any type of curved line you create.

Pen it:
Select the Curvature Pen tool in the side toolbar, and make sure Path is selected in the options bar up top.
Draw it:
Draw your line by creating individual points with your cursor in the shape of the curve you want to make.
Grab it:
Click and drag one of the anchor points along your path to perfect the bend, arc, or curvature that you want.
Type it:
Select the Horizontal Type tool, and hover over the path you created until you see the cursor change to a squiggly line and click it.
Write it:
Type out your text, and adjust color and size to your liking.

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Why curve or warp text?

Whether you're just starting to learn the ropes of graphic design or you’re an experienced professional, there are plenty of reasons to curve text.

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A bright pink-and-orange text graphic for social media is created using Adobe Photoshop

Perfectly aligned text is great for many designs. But sometimes you need to add in that human touch. Manipulating text makes your posters, social posts, and brochures more memorable.

Take advantage of space.

You’re not going to be able to fit horizontal text into every type of design, so sometimes you’ll need to go vertical, curved, or even upside down to squeeze it in. Paths let you use every part of your space.

The title design of a space-themed poster is modified in Adobe Photoshop with icon overlaid

The middle section of the word chaos is curved in one direction as if an object has flown through it

Tell a story.

The meaning of the words you use tells one story, but their arrangement tells another. Curving, reversing, and changing the way you read text can alter how your audience encounters it.

Shape up.

With the freedom of the Pen tool, you’re not limited to the geometric circles of the ellipses. You can create paths of any shape and size to breathe life into your designs.