How to curve text in Inkscape?

Putting text on a curved path in Inkscape is a straightforward process that allows you to create dynamic typography for logos, badges, and digital illustrations. By using the built-in “Put on Path” feature, you can bind any standard text string to a vector line or shape, maintaining full editability of both the text and the curve. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to attach text to a path, adjust its positioning, and finalize the design for production.

Step 1: Create Your Text and Path

Before you can curve your text, you need the two basic components: the text itself and the line you want it to follow.

• Type your text: Select the Text tool (represented by an “A” icon or pressed via the T key) and type out your desired words.
• Draw your path: Select the Bezier curves tool (pressed via the B key) to draw a custom curved line. Alternatively, you can use the Ellipse tool (E) to create a circle or oval if you want your text to wrap around a geometric shape.

Step 2: Bind the Text to the Path

Once both elements are on your canvas, you need to select them simultaneously to apply the effect.

• Switch to the Select tool (pressed via the S key or the spacebar).
• Click on your text, hold down the Shift key, and click on the curved line or shape so that both objects are highlighted.
• Go to the top menu bar, click on Text, and select Put on Path from the dropdown menu. Your text will instantly snap to the contour of the line.

Step 3: Adjust and Align the Text

Often, the text will not land exactly where you want it on the first try. You can fine-tune its position using a few different methods:

• Moving the text along the path: Click on the text with the Text tool, place your cursor at the very beginning of the text string, and use the Alt + Left/Right Arrow keys to shift the text pixel-by-pixel along the curve. Holding Shift + Alt will move it in larger increments.
• Adjusting the distance from the path: To raise or lower the text relative to the line, select the text with the Text tool, highlight the characters, and use Alt + Up/Down Arrow keys to change the vertical kerning.
• Flipping the text direction: If your text is upside down (which often happens on the bottom half of a circle), select both the text and the path, then go to Object and choose Flip Horizontal or Flip Vertical to orient it correctly.

Step 4: Hide or Separate the Path

If you delete the path line, your text will automatically revert back to a straight line because it relies on that path to exist. To keep the curved shape without showing the outline, you have two choices depending on your project goals:

• To keep the text editable: Select only the path line. Open the Fill and Stroke menu (Ctrl + Shift + F), go to the Stroke paint tab, and click the X icon to turn off the stroke color. The line becomes invisible, but the text remains curved and fully editable.
• To freeze the text into permanent vector shapes: If your design is finished and you want to export it, select the text and go to Path then Object to Path. This turns the text into permanent vector paths. You can now safely delete the original line entirely, though you will no longer be able to type or change the font of that text.