Cricut is a brand name for a line of cutting machines designed and manufactured by American company Cricut.
The Cricut machine allows users to cut out shapes from paper or fabric and then print them onto other materials such as vinyl, canvas, leather, wood, metal, glass, ceramic, plastic, foam board, cardboard, and even fabric.
You can also use the Cricut machine to create custom designs for invitations, cards, scrapbooks, and home decor projects.
A quick note: Script doesn’t often look great when curved, especially if you don’t have a good knowledge of curving text yet!
Stick to classic, plainer fonts when you are starting out, and make sure that your curves are smooth and uncomplicated, and you’ll see the best results!
Why Would You Want To Curve Text?
Curve text is a technique that allows you to create a more readable, legible, and attractive type. It’s also an easy way of making your text look like it was written by hand rather than generated on the fly.
Curve text makes your design stand out from others because it gives the impression that the letters are handwritten.
This effect is achieved by curving the edges of each letter so they form a smooth curve instead of sharp corners.
There are many reasons why you might want to curve text:
Curved text looks more appealing to the eye than straight text.
Curves make words easier to read.
Straight lines don’t always work well with curved objects.
Curved text creates a sense of movement.
Curved letters give off a professional appearance.
Curved fonts are often used by graphic designers to add visual interest to their designs.
Cricut Design Space
One way to curve text for a Cricut machine is with Cricut Design Space (or CDS). This software application allows you to draw curves into any shape and then export those curves as SVG files.
These SVG files can be imported directly into the Cricut machine and printed.
In order for you to curve your text in Cricut Design Space follow these simple steps:
Step 1. Start by clicking shapes on the left sidebar and choosing a circle shape to add to your blank page.
Step 2. Make your circle the size you would like your text to be wrapped around. Simply press the text button and type out your chosen phrase.
Step 3. Choose a font and size. Highlight your all of your text and click the ‘advanced’ feature from your drop down font menu.
Step 4. Click the button ‘ungroup to letters’. This should make each of your letters in a different picture layer, which will mean you can adjust them individually.
Step 5. You can now go back and move and rotate each letter individually. Start with your center letter and move it to the middle of you curve that you created earlier.
Step 6. Working your way to both sides, move and rotate the letters to fit the shape of your circle. Be sure to mind out for your letter spacing as well when you move each one into position.
Step 7. Continue playing with your Cricut lettering until you’re happy with the results.
Step 8. Select the circle and delete it.
Step 9. This next step is crucial, so pay attention! Select all of your individual letters by picking up all of the individual layers while holding down the control key on your keyboard.
Alternatively, you can also draw a box surrounding all of them on the page. After choosing all of them, right-click and select “Attach”. This step will ensure that the letters stay in place.
Step 10. Click “make it”.
Alternate Way To Use Design Space
If you have a desktop, you can use CDS’s handy ‘curve text’ feature!
This tool is currently only available for desktop. It is not supported on mobile or tablet devices. Also, the curved text won’t display on mobile or tablet if the text hasn’t been welded or flattened.
Curved text is fully editable (unless welds, flattened, or un-grouped and re-grouped) but it is recommended to curve your texts first and then adjust letter spacings, rotate, edit, and change fonts. This tool works on single lines of text but not multiples.
You can use the Text Edit toolbar to change the font, adjust the spacing, size, etc. Then, you will select your type and click the Curved Text Tool.
A box will open where there is a slider and a numerical text box. You can adjust the shape of the curve by sliding the sliders left or right or by typing in the diameter directly into the text box.
To create a curve in the opposite direction, simply slide the slider to its left or enter a negative number into the type box.
I have been using this method for years and it works great! I am always looking for new ways to make my designs pop, especially when it comes to creating curves. This is a very simple way of doing it that anyone can use.
How To Curve Text For A Tumbler
If you want to curve your text for a round or conical shape like a tumbler or mug, you will have to do things a bit differently!
In order for text to be straight on a tumbler or other curved object, you have to first curve the text!
Curving text is easy to do, once you know how. All you need to do is follow these steps:
Create a new project in Design Space.
Open up your text tool.
Type out your text.
Make sure your text is selected.
Hit the “W” key.
Now you should see your text become a circle.
Rotate the circle clockwise at 90 degrees.
Delete the original circle.
The big difference is this: You’ll want to keep your letters closer together as they will stretch over your tumbler or object as you wrap them around. If you don’t, you may end up with some ugly gaps between your letters.
Once you’ve got your text wrapped around, you can now go back to your text tool and adjust the space between each letter.
Fun Projects You Can Do With Curved Text On A Cricut Machine
There are many fun projects you can do with curved text on a Cricut machine. Here are just a few ideas:
Add a decorative border to any cardstock design.
Use curved text to add interest to an envelope.
Use curved text to decorate a gift tag.
Use curved type to highlight a special word or phrase.
Use curved letters to spell out a message on a cake board.
Use curved words to spell out a name on a birthday cake.
Use curved words to write fun phrases on your tumblers without them looking too plain.
Use curved lettering to create a unique label for your favorite coffee cup.
Final Thoughts About Using Curved Letters On Your Cricut Machine
As you can see, the curved text feature has endless possibilities when used correctly. The best part about using curved text on a Cricut machine? There’s no limit to what you can do!
You can even use curved text to create custom fonts that look amazing on your creations. So if you’re ready to give it a try, then let’s get started!
So if you’re ready to start designing with curved text, then get started today on your design adventure!
Please let us know if you enjoyed this, or if you have any other tips and tricks for creating beautiful designs on your Cricut machine. Happy crafting!
Hi, my name is Michael Moore, and I have been 3D printing for a number of years now. I have created many cool gadgets over the years, but my current passion is creating one of a kind jewelry pieces. They can be so intricate and beautiful that many people wouldn't believe they are 3D printed.
Through Love and Robots, I hope to share my knowledge with others, and provide advice about everything 3D printer related.
