How to Make Text Into a Shape Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a powerful graphic design tool. You can add shapes, images, icons, and text to your projects. Use those designs as logos, website images, or other forms of digital content.
You can learn how to make text into a shape in Illustrator. It can sit within the circles and rectangles you add to your project, or it can follow the outline. You can also distort the text, as shown below.
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How to Warp Text into Shapes with Illustrator
This guide will show you how to make text into a shape in Illustrator. You can warp the words and place them in a circle or rectangle. There are also a couple of third-party apps you can use to learn to warp text.
How to Warp Text in Illustrator
You can learn to warp text into shape free in Adobe Illustrator if you have a subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. You will use the “Envelope Distort” tool to begin the process.
Learn how to use the “Envelope Distort” tool by following the below steps.
- Open Adobe Illustrator and press “New Project.”
- Click on the “Type” tool and choose a font in the toolbar at the top of the screen. Include multiple lines by pressing “enter” on your keyboard.
- Press the “Type” menu at the top of the screen.
- Convert text to object Illustrator by pressing “Create Object.”
- If you want to place the text in a shape, use the “Brush,” “Ellipse,” “Polygon,” or “Rectangle” tool.
- Hide the layer with the shape by clicking the eye next to it in the “Layers” panel.
- Click on the text in your project.
- Press the “Object” menu at the top of the screen.
- Choose “Envelope Distort.”
- Press the “Make with Top Object” or “Make with Warp” option.
- Choose a distortion type in the “Style” dropdown menu in the toolbar.
- Change the curves in the effect using the “Distortion” menu.
- Click on the “Direct Selection” tool to change the anchor points of the distortion.
- Press “Ok” when you finish.
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Warp Text without Distortion
You can learn to Illustrator warp text without distortion. You will go to the “Effects” menu to begin, as seen in the steps below.
- Open Adobe Illustrator and press “New Project.”
- Click on the “Type” tool and choose a font.
- Write something in your project.
- Select the text with the “Direct Selection” tool.
- Click on the “Effect” menu at the top of the screen.
- Choose “Warp” and wait for the dropdown menu to appear.
- Adjust the bend or distortion sliders to distort the text.
- Choose the “Arch” option in the “Warp” dropdown menu if you want to learn to Illustrator warp text without distortion. Keep the default “Distortion” settings.
- Press “Ok.”
How to Curve Text in Adobe Illustrator
When learning how to make text into a shape Illustrator, you may want to put it on a curve. The words can sit on the borders of your circles or rectangles when you follow the below steps.
- Open Adobe Illustrator on your computer and press “New Project.”
- Click on the “Ellipse” tool and draw a circle.
- Hold down the arrow in the bottom right corner of the “Type” tool.
- Choose the “Type on a Path” option.
- Click on the circle you drew.
- Delete the preloaded text and type your own.
- Move the brackets surrounding your text to adjust its location.
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How to Warp Text into Shape
This section will finally show you how to make text into a shape in Illustrator. You will need to outline your words, converting them to an object. After, you can transform the text and distort it.
Learn how to free warp text in Illustrator to put it in a shape with the steps below.
- Open Adobe Illustrator and press “New Project.”
- Click on the “Type” tool and write something in your project.
- Select the text with the “Direct Selection” tool.
- Choose the “Type” menu at the top of the screen.
- Press “Create Outlines” to convert text to object Illustrator.
- Click on the “Object” menu.
- Press the “Transform” option and choose one of the available effects.
- Click on the “Effect” menu.
- Choose the “Distort and Transform” option.
- Click on “Free Distort.”
- Wait for the anchor points to appear. Adjust them to create your shape.
- Press “Ok” when you finish editing.
How to Convert to Shape Illustrator
The below steps will help you learn how to convert text to shape in Illustrator. You will have to use the “Create Outlines” tool to begin the process.
- Open Adobe Illustrator on your computer. Click on “New Project” to start a blank canvas.
- Click the “Type” tool and choose the font you want to use.
- Use the “Direct Selection” tool to choose the text you want to include.
- Press the “Type” menu.
- Click the “Create Outlines” option to convert the text to a path.
- Look for the “Properties” panel and press “Ungroup.
- Drag each letter where you need it in the shape with the “Direct Selection” tool.
- Design anchor points by dragging across a specific portion of the text.
- Click and drag one of the anchor points to learn how to make text into a shape in Illustrator.
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Wrap Text in the Illustrator App
Unfortunately, there is no “Envelope Distort” tool in the mobile version of Illustrator. You cannot learn how to wrap text in Illustrator iPad. Any of your projects will sync between the desktop and mobile versions of the software, keeping your work organized.
Third-Party Apps to Warp Text into Shape
There are third-party tools you can use to put your words into shapes. The options listed in this article are free to every user. Learn about the best warp text into shape app in the list below.
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PicMonkey
The first warp text into shape app found in this article is PicMonkey. This software program is available on Apple and Android devices.
PicMonkey is best if you want to make a more muted design. You can make slight curves to your text, allowing it to match the shape of your designs.
Download PicMonkey to your device and convert your text to shapes using the steps below.
- Download PicMonkey from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
- Open the app and give it access to your photos.
- Click on the “Text” option in the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose a font for your text.
- Click on the screen where you want to place your text and start typing.
- When you finish typing, press “Done.”
- Tap the “Curve” tool at the bottom of the screen.
- Move the slider to the left and right to adjust the shape of your text.
- Press the export icon to save your edited image. The curved text will automatically be on your project.
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Phonto
Phonto is another method you can use to warp text into shape free. You can download this software to your Android or Apple device.
There are over 400 fonts available for you to choose for your designs in Phonto. You can upload additional fonts if you want to use your own typography in the document.
Adjust the text size of any of your designs after you add the text. Finally, change the shape of the words in Phonto by following the steps below.
- Download Phonto on your Android or Apple device in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Upload the image you want to edit with text.
- Click on the three horizontal lines in the bottom left to open the menu.
- Choose the “Text” tool.
- Select one of the fonts and start typing on the screen.
- Click on the “Tilt” tool to adjust the curvature of your text.
- You can also apply a specific stylization using the “Style” tool.
- Click on the export tool in the bottom left corner.
Q&A
How Do I Make Text into a Circle?
You can use three methods to learn how to convert text to shape in Illustrator. The first only requires you to draw a circle with the “Ellipse” tool. Choose the “Type” option and click near the path of the shape to start typing.
The second method allows you to directly type in a path. Your text will show up in the shape of a circle. Draw with the “Ellipse” tool and choose “Type on a Path” to start writing.
Finally, you can design effects with the “Envelope Distort” tool. Add text first and draw a circle over the words. Choose the “Object” menu, followed by “Envelope Distort” and “Make with Top Object.”
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How Do You Vectorize in Illustrator?
You can easily vectorize your words when you want to learn how to make text into a shape in Illustrator. Use the “Type” tool and choose an appropriate font. Select the words after.
Click on the “Type” menu at the top of the page, followed by “Create Outlines.” Your text will automatically vectorize!
What Program Can I Use to Curve Text?
You can use almost any design program to curve text. Adobe Illustrator lets you transform your words, but it requires a paid subscription.
You can also curve text using Canva, a free online tool. Use the “Curved Text Generator” tool to adjust the words.
Warp Text into Shapes with Illustrator
You can use several methods to learn how to make text into a shape in Illustrator. Start with the “Envelope Distort” tool after converting your text to an object. This process will add a curve to your designs that appear more whimsical.
You can also use the “Warp” menu to select a specific distortion. Keep the settings the same and choose the “Arch” option if you want to avoid a drastic distortion.
Finally, you can add text to the path of your shapes. Click on the “Type on a Path” tool under the “Text” function to add the words to a specific shape. They will follow the path of your circle or rectangle.
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