Add text on a path

Add text on a path or shape that you draw using the Pen tool.

1. Choose the Path Type tool by doing one of the following:

   • Click the Path Type tool in the Tools sidebar or choose it from the grouped tools.
   • Choose Tools > Type > Path Type from the Tools menu at the top of your screen.

2. Draw a path or a shape you want your text to wrap around or follow along.

3. To begin typing, double-click within the text box to highlight the placeholder text or place the insertion point where you want the first character to appear.

Once you've added text, you can Shift ⇧-drag one of the text box handles to move the text box along the path or Option ⌥-drag to expand the text box and make room for more text. Also, if there’s too much text to display in the shape, a clipping indicator appears. Drag this handle until all the text is showing.

Add text on a freeform path

Add text on a path or shape that you draw using the Freeform Pen tool.

1. Choose the Freeform Type tool by doing one of the following:

   • Click Freeform Type in the Tools sidebar or choose it from the grouped tools.
   • Choose Tools > Type > Freeform Type from the Tools menu at the top of your screen.

2. Draw a path or a shape you want your text to wrap around or follow along.

3. To begin typing, double-click within the text box to highlight the placeholder text or place the insertion point where you want the first character to appear.

Add text on a curved or circular path

Use the Circular Type tool to add curved or circular text.

1. Press Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + T on your keyboard or choose the Circular Type tool by doing one of the following:

   • Choose the Circular Type tool in the Tools sidebar or choose it from the grouped tools.
   • Choose Tools > Type > Circular Type from the Tools menu at the top of your screen.

2. Draw on the canvas to create a circular path.

3. To begin typing, double-click within the text box to highlight the placeholder text or place the insertion point where you want the first character to appear.

💡 Tip: To additionally transform the text path or to flip text along the path Control ⌃ – click the path and choose an option.

Add text around the outline of a shape

You can add or draw any shape you want, then add text that runs along the outline of the shape.

1. Add or draw a shape.

2. Choose the Type tool by doing one of the following:

   • Choose the Type tool in the Tools sidebar or choose it from the grouped tools.
   • Choose Tools > Type from the Tools menu at the top of your screen.

3. Hover your pointer over the inner or the outer outline of the shape. When the pointer changes to click to add a new text box.

4. To begin typing, double-click within the text box to highlight the placeholder text or place the insertion point where you want the first character to appear.