Label Planet
Here's how to get your text to go around in a circle when working with a Word template.
If you’re designing circular labels, you might be thinking that you want your text or design to make the most of the space available, which means that you might be wondering exactly how you go about getting your text to go around in a circle – especially if you’re trying to use a Word template.
Word is, essentially, a word processor; it is software that is designed specifically for inserting and editing text, with some limited function for page layout design. This means that it has a limited number of tools geared towards graphic design, which can make it a little trickier to use when it comes to designing templates.
View our How To video for a step by step guide to working with text and images in Word label templates.
HOWEVER, there is a simple way to create circular text to match the circular outline of your labels – through the magic of good, old fashioned WordArt! The steps you need to follow will vary slightly, depending on the version of Word you are using – and more recent versions of Word will give you access to editing tools that are more advanced than those in earlier versions.
CREATE CIRCULAR TEXT WITH WORDART (Word 2007 onwards)
- Click “Insert”, “WordArt”, and select a style to begin.
If you aren’t sure which style to pick, we recommend choosing the first (most basic) option as you can always alter the style of your WordArt later on. - Enter the text you want into the text box/placeholder provided and select OK.
- To change the shape of your WordArt, left click on it once to select it – this will cause a “Format” tab to appear at the top of your page, beneath the words “Drawing Tools”.
The ribbon will now contain a section called “WordArt Styles”, which will include a larger box showing examples of different styles along with three small icons to the right of this box. The bottom icon in this set of three is the tool you need to use and will either be called “Change Shape” (Word 2007-2010) or “Text Effects” (Word 2013-16). Click on this icon (choose “Transform” from the dropdown list, Word 2013-2016) and select one of the options listed under “Follow Path” to get your text to go in a circular (or even semi-circular) shape. - Resize and/or reposition your WordArt to get it in the correct position within your label design – you may need to use trial printing onto paper and a bit of trial and error to get the best possible alignment.
If you want all of your labels to be the same (or to use the same basic design), we highly recommend setting up one piece of WordArt in the first label in your template and then using copy and paste to fill in the rest of the labels.
CREATE CIRCULAR TEXT WITH WORDART (Word 2003)
- Click “Insert”, “Picture”, and then “WordArt”.
- Select a style, enter the text you want into the box provided, and click OK.
If you aren’t sure which style to select or the font you want to use, we recommend selecting the first style option and using the default font settings, as you can always alter the style of your WordArt later on. - Left click on your WordArt to bring up the Drawing Toolbar; there should be an icon in the toolbar made up of the letters “Abc” – this tool allows you to change the shape of your WordArt, simply by clicking on one of the shapes that appear when you click on this icon (choose one of the thin circular or semi-circular shapes to get your text to follow a circular or semi-circular path).
- Resize and/or reposition your WordArt to get it in the correct position within your label design – you may need to use trial printing onto paper and a bit of trial and error to get the best possible alignment.
If you want all of your labels to be the same (or to use the same basic design), we highly recommend setting up one piece of WordArt in the first label in your template and then using copy and paste to fill in the rest of the labels.
You can find Word (and PDF) templates for all of our round labels on our “Templates For Circular Labels” page; for more tips and advice on designing your own template, take a look through our Blog or visit our Advice Pages.