Curve Text on a Circle and Path in Photoshop
This guide shows you how to type along circular and custom paths with precise control. You’ll set up guides, draw a path, place text on it, and align it using start/end points rather than manual rotation. You’ll also create matching bottom text and adjust baseline and kerning for polish.
Step-by-step instructions
Set up guides for the center
Enable rulers via View → Rulers (Ctrl/Cmd+R).
Drag horizontal and vertical guides to the center; enable View → Snap.
Optional: Right‑click a ruler → Percent to see 50% as the center.
Draw a circular path
Select the Ellipse Tool (U) and set the Options bar to Path (not Shape).
Click‑drag from the guide intersection; hold Alt/Option + Shift to draw a perfect circle from the center.
Type on the circle
Select the Horizontal Type Tool (T) and set a text color.
Hover over the path until the cursor shows a wave on the I‑beam, then click and type your text.
Click the checkmark in the Options bar or press Enter/Return to commit.
Control placement with start/end points and alignment
Select the Path Selection Tool (A).
Drag the start and end brackets on the path to define where text lives (e.g., top half).
In the Options bar, set Align Left/Center/Right to control positioning between those points.
Create matching bottom text
Duplicate the text layer (Ctrl/Cmd+J) and hide the original if needed.
With the Path Selection Tool, drag the start and end points to the bottom half.
Drag inward across the circle to flip the baseline so text reads upright.
To match arc precisely: Edit → Free Transform (Ctrl/Cmd+T), hold Shift+Alt/Option and scale the path to align with the top text; press Enter/Return.
Alternative: Window → Character → adjust Baseline until edges align.
Type along a custom path and refine spacing
Draw a path with the Pen Tool (P). If it disappears, open Window → Paths to select it.
Click the Horizontal Type Tool and click the path to start typing.
If text sits below/above unexpectedly, open Window → Character and set Baseline to 0.
Adjust kerning between tricky pairs by placing the caret and pressing Alt/Option + Right/Left Arrow.
