How do I create text on a circle in Adobe® Photoshop®?

Text can be created in the shape of a circle in Adobe® Photohop®. Text can run around the entire circle or two text paths can be created so the bottom text is right side up.

Create a new file

• Select New from the File menu.
  • Width and height: dimensions of the space the graphic will fill on the page in picas or inches.
  • Resolution: 300 pixels/inch
  • Color mode: CMYK for color pages, grayscale for black and white pages.
  • Click OK.
• Save the file as a Photoshop (PSD) file. After the graphic is complete, save as a TIFF file if you are not using InDesign.

Draw the circle

• Click on the Pen tool.
• Choose the Ellipse in the Options (top) toolbar.

• Hold down the Shift key and drag to draw a circle.
  • Note: the circle does not need to have a color applied to it if the graphic will consist of text only.

Create the text

• Click on the Type  tool.
• Place the type tool over the circle path so it turns into an I-beam with a dash.
• Click and start typing.
• After the text is typed:
  • Choose Select>All or
  • in Windows: Control+A, or
  • on a Mac: Command+A.
• Select Character from the Window menu to open the Character palette.
• Change the font, size or tracking if needed.

Reposition the text

• Change the starting position of the text if needed.
• Choose the Path Selection  tool (arrow tool).
• Place the tool close to the beginning of the text.
• When the pointer changes to an I-beam with a black arrow, click and drag the type to the new position.

Create text on bottom

• Skip this step if the text will go all the way around the circle.
• Duplicate the text layer:
  • Drag the text layer onto the New Layer button at the bottom of the Layers palette (second button from right) or
  • Click on the text layer and select Duplicate Layer from the pop-up menu.
• Hide the original text layer by clicking on the eye icon  to the left of the layer.
• Click on the new text layer.
• Click on the text with the Type tool.
• Choose Select>All or
  • in Windows: Control+A or
  • on a Mac: Command+A.
• Type the new text and press Enter/Return.

Reposition text inside circle

• Skip this step if the text will remain on the outside of the circle.
• Select the Path Selection  tool (arrow tool).
• Place the tool close to the beginning of the text.
• When the pointer changes to an I-beam with an arrow, click and drag the type to the inside of the circle.
• Click the eye icon  next to the original type layer to show it.
• To change the starting position of the text, follow the instructions above.

Adjust baseline shift

• Adjust the baseline shift to move the text away from the edge of the circle.
• Click inside the text with the Type tool .
• Choose Select>All or
  • in Windows: Control+A,
  • on a Mac: Command+A.
• In the Character palette, adjust the baseline shift field .
  • To move the text above the circle path, use a positive number.
  • To move the text inside the circle path, use a negative number.
  • Use different values to see where the text moves.

• After the text is positioned, change the text color or add other effects and images if needed.