Photoshop Wrap Text Styles: A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to designing creative layouts, InDesign's default measurements can sometimes feel restrictive. For instance, if you're working on a newspaper layout, you may want tighter boundaries between text and images. Fortunately, Photoshop offers a range of wrap text styles that allow for greater control over the positioning of your text.

One of the most important aspects of wrapping text in Photoshop is setting the boundary values. By default, InDesign's measurements are in pixels and picas. If you're looking to create a tighter layout, you can try setting the boundary value to 0p5 or 1p0. However, for rectangles, you have the option of un-checking the link in the middle to create a customized wrap boundary for each side.

Irregular shapes require a slightly different approach. To ensure that the text wraps evenly around the shape, you'll need to set the boundaries equally on all sides. In the Text Wrap menu, you can adjust the boundary values by inputting a value in the boundary box. This will allow you to extend the wrap borders further from the shape.

To apply text wrap to an object in Photoshop, follow these steps: Select the object you want to wrap text around and click on the 'Wrap Around Object Shape' icon in the Text Wrap menu. Then, simply apply text wrap to the object by clicking on the 'Apply' button.

One of the key benefits of using Photoshop's wrap text feature is its ability to create customized ghost shapes. A ghost shape is a transparent outline of an object that allows you to wrap text around it without interfering with other elements in your design. To create a ghost shape, select the Pen Tool and draw an outline of the object you want to wrap text around.

Text wrap works well on rectangles, circles, or cutout images with transparent backgrounds. However, if you're wrapping text around one element of a photo but want other areas to remain in the background, you'll need to draw a ghost shape. This is because the text may try to flow into weird crevices in the design.

To get started with Photoshop's wrap text feature, you'll need two things: a block of text and an image or shape that you want to wrap the text around. Define the area that you want to wrap text around by selecting the object and clicking on the 'Wrap Around Object Shape' icon in the Text Wrap menu.

Once you've defined the area, you can fine-tune the text in the Character Panel (Window > Character) by adjusting the Kerning, Tracking, and Baseline Shift values. This will allow you to customize the spacing and alignment of your text to create a professional-looking design.

With the work path and text already placed around your object, you can easily change the font size, color, and typeface as you normally do with any text in Photoshop. Simply select the Horizontal Type Tool (T) and click once over the recently created path.

To summarize, Photoshop's wrap text feature offers a range of styles that allow for greater control over the positioning of your text. By setting boundary values, creating ghost shapes, and fine-tuning the text, you can create professional-looking designs that showcase your creativity and expertise. Whether you're working on a newspaper layout or designing a brochure, Photoshop's wrap text feature is an essential tool to have in your toolkit.

Photoshop wrap text styles