How to Curve Text using Fonts and Symbols

Today I show you how to easily curve text using fonts and symbols in Cricut Design Space. In addition, I want to help you understand why the curve text feature does not show sometimes while working on a project. Plus a bonus tip on how you can use your curved design in your phone app as well.

At the time of this post, the Curve Text feature is only available on the Windows/Mac Desktop version. So it is not available yet for mobile apps.

I do have a bonus tip to get a completed curved text into your mobile device which I’ll share a bit further down in this post, plus I show tips for this process in my video too.

I am also excited to show you how you can use symbols instead of fonts with the Curve Text feature. It is a game-changer when it comes to the curve tool. So many more shapes and options to use instead of just fonts!

If you love to learn by watching video so you can see the process, I prepared one for you as well. Or you can continue with my blog post or Hey! Do both!

Video of How to Curve Text using Fonts and Symbols

Where is the Curve Text Tool?

When you first open up a new canvas in Cricut Design Space, you will not see the Curve Text Tool.

Even if you add an image to your canvas you will not see the curve text tool as seen below.

Even if you click on the Text Tool and you get that text box to type your text in. The Cricut Text Tool will now show up but it is grayed out until you add text to a box as seen below. (Just a text box)

When you type your text into the text box the Curve Text Tool is now Bold and usable. As seen below.

Tips for using the Curve Text Tool

• You can curve one line of text at a time. If you forget and put 2 lines of text you can use the “Advanced” tool and “Ungroup to Lines” feature.
• The curve tool can not be used if you have “Ungrouped to separate letters” then “Regrouped”. To get around this feature, be sure to curve your text first then if you need to, you can ungroup to separate letters and arrange each letter or rotate and space if needed.
• Curved Text is still editable unless you “Weld” or “Flatten” the curved text. Ex: If you decide you want to change the font you can.
• You can curve 2 lines equally (same radius) by utilizing the diameter field and entering the same numbers.

How to Use the Curve Text Tool

1. Select “Text” in Cricut Design Space as seen below. This will open a text box where you will type in your text or symbols. Once you type in the text box, the “Curve” option becomes bold so you may select it to play with the curves.

2. Click on “Curve” and as seen below you will now have a “Diameter” with a slider DOT or Circle where you can move it to the right, it curves like a frown. 😞 If you slide it to the left, it curves like a smile. 😊 (notice when you slide it the number changes in the little box) The number will display 0 (zero) when there is no curve, just a perfect straight line.

Bonus Tip: You can highlight the box where the number displays and manually type in the numbers you want and the minus (-) sign if needed. So much easier!!! 🙌

3. Screen shot below shows both curves and I used the same Diameter number of 2.75. When you curve with the slider to the left, the number adds a – (minus) symbol in front of the number.

I then clicked on images and searched “moon” and added it to the design. I then changed the moon to a gold color and attached the “i love you” and “to the moon” together, so they’ll cut out together in the same color.

How cute is that!

So there is the step by step tutorial of curving text. It’s quite simple, isn’t it? It’s really very easy to just get in there and slide the slider a bit and just play with it until it looks pleasing to you.

Can you use Symbols instead of Fonts?

Why yes you can! This to me is where the fun really begins. The easy part is it’s just as easy as the instructions below. The ONLY difference is you use symbol’s instead of letters.

So as an example, below I used the font called: DJ Flirt

In the text box, I typed a bunch of dots or periods like this ……………………….then I curved them and see the screenshot below of what it typed…So cute! Well, I did change the color to red after curving it into a circle.

Next example, I used the same font (DJ Flirt) and typed a bunch of asterisks (Shift 8) like this *********************then I curved them and see below (also changed color)

Now keep in mind you don’t even have to curve them if you don’t want to. Or curve them less. You can keep them straight and use them for fingernail decals or all kinds of elements for cards, t-shirt designs, you name it!

I will show you a few more I came across below, but let me tell you this is nothing compared to what is in Cricut Design Space if you are an Access member.

I also used some of my own system fonts and font’s I’ve uploaded to design space and got some really cute and unique designs.

Think of all those fonts we see that contain these types of words in the Font Listing

• Extras
• Glyphs
• Flourishes
• Pangrams

These are what would be awesome as single elements in a design or dependent on which symbol you use, a cute design straight or in a curve.

Keep in mind too, each font is different. So it does take a bit of time knowing what each font symbol on a keyboard will work.

To quickly find symbols I use this method.

Choose any font, then type in the text box this: …,,,***—///{{{}}}+++===&&&~~~@@##$$%%^^[[]]\\\|||::::;;;;””””””<<<>>>???///!!!“`

Ok, so no particular order. Just start hitting all the symbols. My advice would be to write down the combos you may want.

You will find things like puzzles, bird houses, buildings, just some really cool fun shapes!

I made a curved line using dashes ———– then welded them.

I found banners too!

I even found leaves!!! Then made a quick fun design 🍁🍁

This last image reminded me we are almost approaching Fall, which reminds me to share some posts related to Fall Crafts utilizing your Cricut’s

• Applying HTV to Painted Wood
• Fall Word Art Signs

Can you use Symbols from a Cell phone too?

Why yes you can! The only thing is, you are unable to curve them. But, as you see further down below, I have a work around for that until Cricut releases the curve feature for mobile devices and tablets.

Here is a quick example of using DJ Flirt Font and using the …….****** to make the hearts on my iPhone.

The process to get Curved Text from Desktop Cricut APP into Mobile Device Cricut APP

If you are lucky enough to have both a desktop computer (or have access to one) and a cellphone or tablet, you can use my work around I use myself.

I design my “Curved” design from my Desktop Cricut Design Space App. Then once I am certain I am happy with the curve and the design I weld it.

Then I can access it from my Cricut Design Space Cell Phone App from the category: My Projects in the Cloud.

My only other advice is if you don’t have a desktop computer to use, perhaps you can access someone else’s computer to work on your design or have them create your masterpiece and send you the link.

Of course if you are able to use apps like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape or the few other apps out there then you can create your curved designs there and import into Design Space that way as well. 😊

So I hope this post helps clear up any confusion in regards to curving text but also opens up ideas to help your inspiration and imagination flow like a beautiful waterfall!

How to Warp your Curved Text

1. Type your text
2. Curve your text
3. Click the unlock feature of your curved text
4. Manipulate the design to your warped desire 😉🤣
5. Here is a funny example “Alexa, where is my coffee

I then used two circle shapes unlocked to be ovals to match my curved text and one square to make it look like a cylinder shape. Too funny! Would make a cute card!

I also want to share 2 more fonts I used in Cricut Design Space with Cricut Access subscription: Jubilee Village = houses shapes and DonJuan Puzzled = Puzzles. Too fun!

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