Text Wrapping Options in CorelDRAW

This article provides an overview of the text wrapping styles available in CorelDRAW when placing paragraph text around vector objects. CorelDRAW allows designers to integrate text and graphics seamlessly by controlling how text flows around, through, or across vector shapes. Below is a breakdown of the available wrapping styles, how they interact with vector geometry, and how to configure spacing offsets.

Core Text Wrapping Styles

To wrap text around a vector graphic in CorelDRAW, the wrap property is applied directly to the vector object, not the text frame. The software provides several distinct wrapping modes via the Property bar and the Properties docker:

  • None: The default setting. Paragraph text ignores the vector object entirely, allowing text to overlap or sit beneath the shape without interruption.
  • Contour: Text wraps tightly around the exact silhouette or outline of the vector object. If the vector shape is irregular, such as a star or a custom logo, the text adapts to its curved and angled edges. CorelDRAW also allows you to choose which side of the contour text flows:
    • Straddle Text: Text flows on both the left and right sides of the object.
    • Text Left: Text only flows on the left side of the contour.
    • Text Right: Text only flows on the right side of the contour.
    • Largest Area: Text automatically flows only into the side offering the most horizontal space.
  • Square: Text wraps around the rectangular bounding box of the vector object rather than its physical outline. This is useful for grouping irregular shapes inside an invisible rectangular block to create clean columnar margins.
  • Above/Below: Text stops above the top edge of the vector object and resumes directly below its bottom edge. No text appears to the left or right of the object, dedicating full horizontal columns to the graphic.

Text Wrap Offset (Padding)

CorelDRAW allows you to define the clearance distance between the vector object's edge and the surrounding text using the Text Wrap Offset value:

  • Uniform Offset: Pushes text away from the object equally in all directions when using Contour wrapping.
  • Directional Offsets: When using Square wrapping, you can specify individual offset distances for top, bottom, left, and right margins.

How to Apply Text Wrapping

  1. Place a paragraph text frame (Text Tool) on your canvas.
  2. Select the vector object that will interact with the text. Ensure the vector object is positioned above the text frame in the object hierarchy (layer order).
  3. Open the Properties docker (Window > Dockers > Properties) and navigate to the Summary tab, or use the Wrap Text icon directly on the top Property bar.
  4. Choose the desired wrap style from the dropdown menu.
  5. Set the Text Wrap Offset distance to add breathing room between the vector boundary and the text.