Master Type on a Path in InDesign: Step-by-Step Guides

Struggling to figure out how to type on a path in InDesign? It can be frustrating when your designs don't look as polished as you'd like. You want to create creative curved text, but the tools feel overwhelming. Don’t worry—our easy guide simplifies it all; plus, explore CapCut to elevate your video text typography, too!

Understanding InDesign text on a path

InDesign text on a path allows you to place text along any shape or curve, enhancing your design's creativity. The "Type on a Path" feature lets you make text follow any path, from simple circles to complex custom shapes. This adds creative elements to your layout, making it visually engaging. You can easily adjust the path, text alignment, and spacing for unique effects. Use this tool to create more customized, flowing designs that stand out in any project.

2 Methods on how to type on a path in InDesign

In Adobe InDesign, typing on a path can enhance your design by adding creativity and visual interest. Two methods will be discussed here: typing on a wavy line using the Pen tool and typing on a shape like an oval or circle.

Method 1: typing on a wavy line using the pen tool

Step
1. Draw a wavy line
2. To start, choose the "Pen" tool from the toolbar. Click once to place the first anchor point. Hold the Shift key and click again to create a second anchor point, ensuring proper alignment. Next, click and drag your mouse upward to the right to make a smooth curve. Finally, click again for the third anchor point while holding the Shift key to complete the wavy line.
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Step
4. Activate the type on a path tool
5. With the wavy line drawn, click and hold the Type tool in the toolbar until a drop-down menu appears. From the options available, select the Type on a Path Tool.
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Step
7. Add text to the wavy line
8. Hover your cursor over the wavy line until a plus sign appears. Click once to activate the text field. Begin typing your text, and you will see the InDesign text follows the path of the wavy line seamlessly.
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Step
10. Remove the stroke color
11. To complete the design, select the wavy line and remove the stroke color. You’ll be left with text following the wavy path, creating a visually appealing effect.
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Method 2: typing on a shape

Step
1. Draw a shape
2. Start by clicking and holding the Rectangle Shape tool to reveal additional options. Select the Oval tool from the menu. Click and drag your mouse to draw an oval or circular shape.
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Step
4. Adding curved text to a shape
5. Activate the InDesign Type on a Path Tool again. Click on the edge of the shape to activate the text field. Begin typing your text. Once again, remove the stroke color from the shape to display the curved text elegantly.
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Step
7. Adjust the text position on the shape
8. To refine the placement of the text, click and drag the crosslines at each end of the shape. Adjust these points to change where the text begins or ends. This feature allows you to center the text or even flip it inside the shape, enabling the curved text in the opposite direction.
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Let's uncover insights into the practical applications where you can apply the type on a path tool in InDesign.

Practical applications of typing on a path

• Branding and logo design
• You can use the InDesign text-to-path feature to create unique logos. This technique allows you to craft custom shapes that integrate text seamlessly. When you design logos, you enhance their impact with InDesign text along a path. Consider experimenting with curves and circles to give your branding a fresh look.
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• Infographics
• Utilizing text along a path in InDesign helps you present information creatively. This method draws attention to your data and statistics, making them more engaging. You can highlight key points by arranging text around shapes. This way, you effectively communicate your message while maintaining visual interest.
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• Book covers and magazine layouts
• When designing book covers or magazines, InDesign text along a path allows for captivating title designs. You can wrap text around images or shapes to create a dynamic layout. This approach not only enhances aesthetics but also captures readers' attention.
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• Digital media and web graphics
• In the realm of digital media, text-to-path in InDesign plays a crucial role. You can apply this feature in interactive designs and web graphics. It helps you create eye-catching elements that engage users effectively.
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So, Indesign is a good choice for typing on a path. However, it can only serve images. What should we do if we want to make curved text for videos? The following part introduces you to a reliable tool for making curved text for videos. Let's dive into CapCut!

CapCut: A reliable tool for making curved text for videos

CapCut is a reliable video editing tool that helps you create incredible videos with ease. It offers diverse text editing features for you to make curved text, especially the "Curve" feature. Apart from its text editing features, you can add more visual elements to the video, including captions, effects and filters. Ready to elevate your video editing? Download CapCut today and start creating amazing videos with curved text!

How to create video typography with CapCut

Step
1. Import your media
2. Begin by uploading your media files into CapCut. You can enhance your typography by importing videos or images. Drag your files directly into the timeline or access them from CapCut’s space.
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Step
4. Design your video text
5. To create curved text, start by choosing the "Text" option in the top right toolbar and enter your desired text. Next, navigate to the bottom of the "Text" section, where you'll find the "Curve" feature. Enable it by checking the box, then use the slider to modify the curve's intensity for your desired effect. Additionally, you can enhance your curved text with stylish features such as shadows, color adjustments, text animations, and layering options to give it a more dynamic appearance.
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Step
7. Export your video
8. Once you finish editing your video, it’s time to export it. Click on the export tab at the top right menu. Select the appropriate video resolution, frame rate, and format for your needs. Your video will then be ready for sharing or uploading wherever you like.
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Key features

• Adjustable text curve strength: You can easily modify the strength of the text curve to achieve the desired effect.
• Different text styles: CapCut offers over 20 text styles to choose from; they have different colors, backgrounds, and shadows.
• Text transform: You can easily adjust the text scale, position, and align in the "Transform" option.
• Text shadow: You can adjust the shadow's color, opacity, and distance to create striking contrasts that draw attention to your text.

Conclusion

To successfully type on a path in InDesign, you can utilize methods like the Pen tool for creating wavy or irregular lines or apply text to predefined shapes such as ovals, circles, and polygons. These techniques allow you to achieve unique, flowing text arrangements that enhance your design by following natural contours and shapes, making them ideal for magazine layouts, logo designs, posters, and interactive content. If you're looking to incorporate curved text into videos, CapCut is a powerful choice. It offers adjustable text curves, various styles, and customizable shadows to make your typography stand out. Start creating visually engaging videos by downloading CapCut today!

FAQs

1. How to edit the text after converting it to a path?
2. After converting text to a path, you cannot edit it as regular text. To modify the text, you must first select the path with the Selection tool, and go to the "Type" menu and choose "Convert to Text" to revert it to editable text, then make changes, and if needed, convert it to a path again.
3. How do I flip text on a path in InDesign?
4. To flip text on a path, select the text with the Selection tool. Then, go to the "Type" menu, select "Text on a Path," and choose "Options." In the dialog box, check the "Flip" option to reverse the text's orientation along the path. Adjust the position as needed. For flipping text in videos,
5. How to use layers to manage text levels along paths in InDesign?
6. Use layers to organize and manage text levels effectively. Open the "Layers" panel from the "Window" menu. Create a new layer for each text path or group of text elements. You can then lock or hide layers as needed, ensuring a cleaner workspace. This way, you can easily control visibility and manage the arrangement of different text paths.