How to Wrap Around Text in Illustrator - Design Like a Pro

Text wrapping in Illustrator is more than a design trick; it's a way to tell stories. This article discusses how to use Adobe Illustrator for wrapping text and the top alternative, CapCut. Finally, we will address common mistakes when wrapping text.

CapCut
CapCut
May 19, 2025
51 min(s)

Knowing how to wrap text is an excellent way to transform flat designs into attractive visuals. This article discusses how to wrap text in Illustrator, the top factors, and the six common mistakes to avoid when wrapping text. Illustrator can only be used for still designs. CapCut is a great choice if you want to wrap text in videos. Its features, like multi-layered text editing and curved text, make it an effective tool for wrapping text.

Table of content
  1. What is text wrapping, and why is it important
  2. Factors to consider when wrapping text
  3. How to wrap text in Adobe Illustrator
  4. How to wrap text in videos with CapCut desktop video editor
  5. Text wrapping: Addressing common mistakes
  6. Conclusion
  7. FAQs

What is text wrapping, and why is it important

Text wrapping is a common graphic design method where text wraps around images, objects, or shapes without covering them up. It allows the text to keep pace with the shape of the image, and it leads to a more natural arrangement. Due to its unique property, it's used in posters, brochures, and other content.

Text wrapping is quite beneficial as it improves your design's visual balance and readability. It ensures that the images don't overlap with design elements, leading to professional and clean designs. In this way, the focus remains on the key visuals, without sacrificing clarity. It is popularly used in print and digital media.

Factors to consider when wrapping text

  • Text readability: Improve legibility by avoiding tight spaces around the object and providing sufficient space between text and design
  • Font size and style: Use readable and clear fonts when wrapped. Don't use thin and ornamental fonts. Utilize the fonts that match the graphics instead.
  • Shape and size of object: Complex shapes and sizes can adversely affect the flow of the text. Utilize simple shapes, as they are straightforward to wrap up without distorting the text.
  • Text flow: Text wraps allow you to maintain a natural and rational flow of reading. Avoid distasteful alignment and abrupt breaks, as they will leave readers confused and uninterested in the design.
  • Design consistency: Keep the wrapped text consistent with your overall color, design style, and format. Uniform text wrapping provides a professional appeal to your projects.

This is all about text wrapping and its benefits. Let's move ahead and see how to wrap text in Illustrator in 2 simple ways.

How to wrap text in Adobe Illustrator

    STEP 1
  1. Import your elements

First, open Adobe Illustrator and a new or existing document. Second, go to "File," then to "Place" to place images and designs or draw shapes and insert text using the "Type" tool. Ensure that all the elements are placed gently on your artboard.

Import your elements
    STEP 2
  1. Wrap the text

The 2 methods for wrapping around text in Illustrator are discussed below:

Option 1: Wrapping text inside a shape/image

First, select any shape to put text inside a shape, say a rectangle or a circle. After that, select the "Type" tool and click inside the shape. This converts it into an area-type object, enabling the text to flow within the boundaries. You can readjust the shape, and the text will adjust automatically to fit.

Wrapping text in a shape/image

Option 2: Wrapping text around an image/shape

To wrap text around an image in Illustrator, draw a shape or path around the object with the Pen tool or any shape tool. After that, click on object and text and navigate to "Object," then "Text Wrap," and "Make." Use the text wrap settings to increase the padding or flow of the object.

Wrapping text around an image/shape

Once done, you can adjust the shape's size, shape, and more to change the appearance.

Adjust shape
    STEP 3
  1. Export your design

Once you are done creating, go to "File," then "Export."Lastly, click on "Export as" and select your preferred format (PNG/SVG/PDF) and save your design. Your design is now ready to use for different purposes.

Export your design

Adobe Illustrator is a good text wrapping tool. But it has some limitations. For instance, it is utilized for graphic/image design purposes only, not video. If you wish to wrap text in videos, use CapCut.

How to wrap text in videos with CapCut desktop video editor

CapCut is a feature-rich and beginner-friendly video editing software, that is famous for its advanced editing features. It is also an excellent tool for wrapping text because it has a curved text feature, which allows you to wrap any text you desire. CapCut's multi-layered text editing and various fonts and sizes give you clean text wrapping effects. So, download CapCut and use its editing features to wrap and curve text.

Key features

  • Curved text: You can use CapCut's "Curve" feature to bend your text into a circle easily.
  • Multi-layered text editing: The software provides multi-layered editing, and you can add and edit several text layers for enhanced effects.
  • Text templates: Select from different pre-made text effects and templates to make your text more attractive.
  • Adjustable fonts and sizes: You can modify the font, size, spacing, or color of the text based on the mood and theme of your video.

Steps to use CapCut to wrap around textImport your video

    STEP 1
  1. Import your video

To begin with, open CapCut and create a new project. Next, click "Import" and select a video you want to edit from your PC. Drag the video onto the timeline to start the editing process.

Importing your video into CapCut
    STEP 2
  1. Wrap around the text

To wrap the text, initially, you must insert text. For this, click "Text" from the top-left menu and choose the "Text" option. Type in your preferred text and change its appearance, including font, color, and effect. Then, click on the text in the timeline, and choose the "Curve" option under the "Basic" section. Change the curve intensity according to your requirement.

Wrapping around the text in CapCut
    STEP 3
  1. Export the video

After completing, click "Export" in the top-right corner of the screen. Select your format and desired resolution, and click "Export" to save the video to your PC. The video is now available for different uses.

Exporting the video in CapCut

Wrapping around text in Illustrator and CapCut are both great options for text wrapping. However, users have reported issues from time to time. So, let's address the common text wrapping issues and how to avoid them.

Text wrapping: Addressing common mistakes

  • Mistake 1: Wrapping text too tightly around objects

How to avoid: You should always maintain enough space between the text and the object to maintain readability. Use padding or curve intensity options to have a better text wrapping effect. CapCut allows you to adjust the text curve and space to make information clear.

  • Mistake 2: Using unreadable fonts in wrapped text

How to avoid: Use clean and easily readable texts when curving or wrapping text. Avoid overly decorating the fonts. CapCut offers a variety of fonts and styles, allowing you to experiment with different fonts to reach the best visual result.

  • Mistake 3: Poor text alignment

How to avoid: Ensure that the wrapped text follows a logical design and maintains balance. Use different alignment tools to adjust the text placement. CapCut's text alignment tools allow you to maintain a polished layout.

  • Mistake 4: Text wrapping on complex shapes

How to avoid: Avoid wrapping text on complex or irregular shapes. For a better visual flow, use simple outlines.

  • Mistake 5: Inconsistent font sizes

How to avoid: Keep the font sizes consistent and close to the wrapped area. Scale the text when absolutely necessary for design clarity. CapCut's text sizing and multi-layered editing give you precise text control.

  • Mistake 6: Overusing wrapped text effects

How to avoid: Use text wrapping selectively to highlight the key areas. Using too much wrapped or curved text can reduce the impact of your overall design and make it look messy. Use CapCut's text templates to clarify the text and enhance its impact.

Conclusion

Wrapping text helps to enhance the visual design readability and structure, ensuring design consistency. This article looks at the top 2 ways to wrap text in Illustrator: wrapping text inside and around a shape/image. Common mistakes, such as poor spacing, inconsistent font sizes, or overusing wrapped text effects, can be avoided by making small adjustments. Although Illustrator is a good tool for wrapping text, its limitation is that it is limited to images, not videos. If you want to wrap text in videos, choose CapCut. Its features, like curved text and multi-layered text editing, make it an effective tool for wrapping text. So, download CapCut today and use its text editing features to make attractive videos with wrapped text.

FAQs

    1
  1. What are the common applications of text wrapping?

Text wrapping is widely used in brochures, magazine layouts, and posters to enhance the visual flow. It helps make the designs more interactive by aligning the text around images or shapes. Designers use them to avoid the overlapping of text and images. It's also commonly used in infographics and product packages to guide the viewers. For video projects, CapCut is an excellent tool for text wrapping for video projects due to its features, like curved text and multi-layered editing.

    2
  1. How to cancel the text wrapping effect on an object in Illustrator?

To remove text wrapping in Illustrator, go to "Object," then "Text Wrap," and click the "Release" option. This will remove the text wrapping effect and revert the text to its original shape. However, Illustrator's text wrapping only works with static objects. If you want to remove the text wrapping effect of objects in videos, use CapCut. To remove the curve effect, reset the curving slider to its original state.

    3
  1. How can I wrap text around a circle in Illustrator?

To wrap text around a circle in Illustrator, draw a circle. Then, select the "Type on a Path" tool to click on edges and start typing. This will wrap the text around the circular edges. Using the "Character" panel, you can adjust the spacing and orientation. Use CapCut's curved text feature to wrap the text around a circle for video-based circular text effects.