How to Work with the Type on a Path Tool in Adobe Illustrator

Posted on 17th June 2023

What is the Type on a Path Tool?

The Type on a Path Tool in Adobe Illustrator is used to create text that follows the shape of a path. This can be used to create text that follows the edge of a shape, or to create text that is laid out in a circular or spiral pattern.

How to Use the Type on a Path Tool

Step 1: Select the Type on a Path Tool

To select the Type on a Path Tool, click and hold on the Type Tool in the toolbar and select Type on a Path from the menu that appears. Alternatively, you can press the Shift + T keys on your keyboard to select the Type on a Path Tool.

Step 2: Click on the Path

Once you have selected the Type on a Path Tool, click on the path that you want to add text to. This can be any path, including the edge of a shape, or a path that you have drawn with the Pen Tool.

Step 3: Type Your Text

Once you have clicked on the path, you can start typing your text. The text will follow the shape of the path.

Step 4: Resize the Text

If you want to resize the text, you can click and drag on the handles that appear around the text. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcuts Command + Shift + (to make the text larger).

Step 5: Change the Text Color

To change the color of the text, select the text with the Selection Tool and then choose a color from the Swatches panel.

Step 6: Change the Text Alignment

By default, the text is aligned to the left of the path. However, you can change this by selecting the text with the Selection Tool and then choosing an alignment option from the Align panel.

Step 7: Change the Text Baseline

The text baseline is the line that the text sits on. By default, the text baseline is aligned to the bottom of the path. However, you can change this by selecting the text with the Selection Tool and then choosing a baseline option from the Type menu.

Conclusion

The Type on a Path Tool is a great way to create text that follows the shape of a path. By following the steps in this tutorial, you will be able to create text that is aligned to the path, and that can be resized and recolored as needed.

Assuming you have a basic understanding of the Pen tool, we will now look at how to use the Type on a Path Tool in Adobe Illustrator.

The first thing you need to do is create a path. This can be done with the Pen tool, or any of the Shape tools. Once you have created your path, make sure it is selected and then click on the Type on a Path Tool in the toolbar.

Now simply click on the path where you want your text to start and start typing. You will notice that the text will follow the path you have created. You can also use the Type on a Path Tool to move existing text along a path. Simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location.

If you want to change the orientation of the text, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the side of the path where you want the text to be oriented and drag it to the desired location.

You can also change the alignment of the text along the path. To do this, select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be aligned along the path.

If you want to change the spacing of the text, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be spaced evenly along the path.

If you want to change the color of the text, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be the color you have chosen.

You can also change the font of the text, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be the font you have chosen.

If you want to change the size of the text, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be the size you have chosen.

If you want to change the leading of the text, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now have the leading you have chosen.

If you want to change the tracking of the text, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now have the tracking you have chosen.

If you want to change the baseline shift of the text, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now have the baseline shift you have chosen.

If you want to change the word spacing of the text, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now have the word spacing you have chosen.

If you want to change the character spacing of the text, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now have the character spacing you have chosen.

If you want to change the text to all caps, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be all caps.

If you want to change the text to small caps, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be small caps.

If you want to change the text to superscript, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be superscript.

If you want to change the text to subscript, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be subscript.

If you want to change the text to underlined, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be underlined.

If you want to change the text to strikethrough, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now have strikethrough.

If you want to change the text to overlined, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be overlined.

If you want to change the text to embossed, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be embossed.

If you want to change the text to engrave, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be engrave.

If you want to change the text to shadowed, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be shadowed.

If you want to change the text to beveled, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be beveled.

If you want to change the text to gradient, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be gradient.

If you want to change the text to 3D, simply select the text with the Selection Tool and then click on the Type on a Path Tool. Now click on the path and drag the text to the desired location. You will notice that the text will now be 3D.