Learn how to curve text in Cricut Design Space 2020 by using two different easy methods. Whether you are using a PC or an iPad, curving text is pretty easy!
I get a lot of questions about how to curve text in Cricut so I thought I’d show you two ways I have found to do it. Curving text allows you to design even more unique phrases in the Cricut software.
I’ll go over the way you used to have to curve text and the new curve tool in Cricut Design Space. The process of curving text on the Cricut app on an iPad or phone is similar to the old school way because of now it does not have the curve function… I know, bummer!
Cricut is updating design space and making it better all the time so I’m sure adding the curve tool to the app is hopefully not that far off!
So I have a full YouTube video tutorial of these steps below so make sure to watch it below.
If you need additional help in Cricut Design Space, make sure to check out my other CDS tutorials:
If you are still deciding on a Cricut machine, check out my post on which Cricut is right for you (compares the Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore family, and the Cricut Joy).
How to Use the Curve Tool in Cricut
The curve function in Cricut software is pretty straight forward to use.
When you click on Text on the left side a box will pop up. Type in the text you want.
It’s important to note that you can only curve text that hasn’t been ungrouped, attached, or welded together. It needs to be unedited text.
Then while you’re text is selected, click on the Curve on the top tool bar. A box will pop up with a slider. The font is curved based on a sphere diameter.
Slide the circle on the bar to the right and see what happens. You’ll notice the outside letters curve down.
If you slide to the left the outside letters will curve up. The farther you slide it the more it will curve.
You can move the letters closer or further together by clicking on the arrows in Letter Space.
At this point you can click on Ungroup (either by clicking Ungroup on Layers panel or clicking on Advanced and then Ungroup to Letters) and move the letters around individually to get them exactly how you want them.
Just make sure to select all the letters and Attach them when you are done so they cut out like that.
Curving Text in a Circle
Before the curve tool, I used to curve text using a circle as a template. It’s still easy to do and works well if you want a different type of curvature than what the curve tool gives you.
Insert a circle and unlock the Size. Then use the 4 arrow circle to pull the oval to flatten it to the curve you want.
Insert the word you want and place it on top of the circle (or bottom if you want it curved the other way). I like to select both the word and the oval and Center Horizontally so I know the curved text will be even.
Then Ungroup the text.
Now you can move each letter individually. I rotate the letters until the bottom of the letter lines up with the oval. You might need to move the beginning and end letters down first so that they touch the oval.
Move each letter until it lines up. Once you have it how you want it, remove the circle, select all the letters, and Attach them.
Do the same process if you want to curve the words up. Use the inside of the circle, line them up, and then move each letter individually.
So here the are differences of using the Curve tool or using an oval template. There’s not a huge difference, they both work great!
How to Curve Cursive Text in Design Space
Curving cursive text in design space is similar. But again you can not weld or attach the text BEFORE you use the curve tool.
Select the cursive text you want to use. Now you have two options. I’d suggest trying both and seeing which one you like.
Again all of this is in the video, so make sure to watch it at the bottom with the sound on!
You can use the curve tool first and curve it to about what you want and then decrease the letter space to get the letters as close as you can so that most of them connect.
Once they are pretty close you can ungroup them and move the individual letters so that they actually all touch. Then select the text and click weld (I always weld for cursive so that you don’t cut little tales on the letters.)
The other option is to decrease the the letter space first and then use the curve tool. Again make sure to weld everything once you’re done.
How to Curve Words on Cricut Design Space Video
How to Curve Text on Cricut App
As I mentioned earlier, the Cricut app does not have the curve tool yet. But you can still curve text on an iPad or phone using the circle technique I mentioned above.
The function buttons are in a different place so I took screenshots of my phone. I have thick fingers so rotating the individual letters on a small phone were not as easy as doing it with a mouse!
Click on text and type in the word you want to curve.
Then click on Shapes at the bottom and then on circle.
If you the text not as curved as the sphere, click on unlock and then drag the arrows to make it oval.
Select both the word and the circle and click on Edit and then Align and then center Horizontally.
Then Ungroup the letters and use your fingers to rotate them individually by using the rotate icon.
OR if you can use rotation keypad. Click on Edit and then on the H Position and V Position and type in a degree until it aligns with the top of the circle.
Once you have the word curved like you want it, delete the circle, select all the letters, click on Actions and then on Attach.
That’s it! Now you have arched text to cut out for your project.
Curved text looks so fun when it’s around a print and cut image. I made this cute shirt for my son’s dinosaur party and used the circle method to curve the text on the top and the bottom (that was long before the curve function!)
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Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!
