Wrap Text Around Shapes in Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop does not include a dedicated, automated "Text Wrap" panel like Adobe InDesign or Illustrator. Instead, wrapping body paragraph text around geometric vector objects is achieved using Vector Paths combined with Path Operations (specifically the Subtract Front Shape option) and the Horizontal Type Tool. By converting a shape boundary into an active text container with an excluded inner vector area, text automatically flows around the specified geometric object.

How to Wrap Paragraph Text Around a Vector Object

To wrap text around a geometric vector object, create a compound path that defines where text is allowed to flow:

  1. Create the Outer Text Area Path
    • Select the Rectangle Tool or any shape tool from the toolbar.
    • In the top Options bar, set the tool mode dropdown to Path (not Shape or Pixels).
    • Click and drag on your canvas to define the overall boundary for your paragraph text.
  2. Add the Geometric Vector Object
    • Select the geometric shape tool you want to wrap text around (such as the Ellipse Tool or Polygon Tool), ensuring the mode remains set to Path.
    • In the top Options bar, click the Path Operations icon (the overlapping squares icon) and select Subtract Front Shape.
    • Draw the geometric shape inside or overlapping your initial bounding path where you want the text to break. The subtracted area serves as the empty space the text will avoid.
  3. Insert the Body Paragraph Text
    • Select the Horizontal Type Tool (T).
    • Move your cursor inside the boundary of the outer path (away from the subtracted inner geometric shape). The cursor icon will change from a square box to an enclosed circle, indicating an area text container.
    • Click inside the path. A blinking insertion point will appear, or placeholder Lorem Ipsum text will populate the space.
    • Paste or type your text. The text will automatically wrap along the contours of the subtracted geometric vector shape.

Adjusting Text Offset and Spacing

Because Photoshop treats the path line as the exact margin boundary, text may sit directly against the edges of your geometric shape. To create padding between the text and the object, scale the subtracted vector path slightly larger than the visible artwork using the Direct Selection Tool (A) and the Free Transform Path command (Ctrl+T on Windows or Cmd+T on macOS).