123RF Tutorial: Free-transforming Rasterized Text to Wrap Around an Object

Utilizing a few transform tools such as free transform, object warping, and/or shear tool, you'll soon realize how easy it is to create a smooth twist-and-turn effect of text to wrap around an object. This effect can also be enhanced by adding in necessary details like shadows and tones to create depth. With minimal trials-and-errors, you should be able to create a gracefully-flowing set of text through an object!

Before & After:

Part 1 - Model

Start off by finding a suitable image. I couldn’t find one, so I'll merge the following 2 images instead (attach Model A's arm to Model B).

Model A - Image ID: 1164800 © Ivan Grlic 123RF.com
Model B - Image ID: 527561 © Ivan Grlic 123RF.com

Model A	Model B

To begin with, remove the left arm of Model B by Clone-Stamping (select Clone Stamp > hold Alt > click to sample area) the white background.

Next, remove the model's fingers from the thigh carefully Sampling the area and Clone-Stamping it upwards.


Make a selection around the arm of Model A and copy it.


Cleanly mask the arm off its background.


Resize the arm and find the best position to place it.


Combine arm layer with Model B layer, then “stitch” the parts together using a combination of Healing Tool and Stamp Tool.


Notice that the arm color is slightly different from the model. Select the arm area and apply Feather. We can use several Adjustment Layers (contrast, color balance, etc) to make similar the arm and the model.


We’re done with the initial image.

Part 2 - Text

We can prepare the text either in the same workspace or in a new file. Select an appropriate font and size, and paste the full length of text into Photoshop as a new layer. Duplicate the text layer and rasterize it (while keeping an un-rasterized layer so that changes can still be made whenever needed).

Copy the first line of text.


For the 1st curve, apply Shear Distortion (Filter > Distort > Shear).


Once done, select a small portion of text from the end of the line (preferably an alphabet’s length). Apply Free Transform > Scale to compress the text. Press “Enter” when you are done.


Gradually extend the length of selection as you transform. In this case, I’ve transformed the text for approximately 6 times or more, thus creating this smooth curve upwards.


I've also scaled the text and gave it a little depth of feel by changing the perspective.


Copy and paste the next set of words. Reverse and tilt it a little.


Repeat the same scaling steps like before.


Do the same for the subsequent sets of words.


From now on, the steps will become quite redundant. Every set of text you do should be in a layer of its own, and for your own conveniences, I suggest you to rename it accordingly.




Note: Be patient throughout the scaling process if you wish to achieve a smooth curvy effect. We should also rotate and/or skew the transformed text accordingly to get a desired angle of ascension.

It is looking a bit messy now so I’ve decided to mask away any texts that are supposedly behind the model’s leg. Select one of the layers, click on the masking icon and start brushing. Repeat for all the layers involved.


Proceed to the next set of text and transform it accordingly to the steps above.


You may apply the same transformation for the following sets of texts but this time, distort it a little by dragging the bottom left corner so that it slants towards the direction you want.


When you have finally reached the arm area, you may want to reduce the length of text selection to suit the arm’s small circumference. This is what I did:


Proceed to the next set of text where I've transformed the perspective to give it more dimension.


I've also re-introduced the Shear Distort Filter to curl up the text.


Next, use a simple Text Warp feature from the text option to create an arc.


Merge all of the text that appears in front of the model as one layer. Then apply Color Overlay and Drop Shadow. Set Drop Shadow’s blend mode as Softlight.

Also, merge all of the text that is flowing behind the model and apply a lighter shade of red.


Create a new layer and reset your palette. Using a soft brush, roughly draw the shades out. This works as a shadow and highlight effect that will drop on the text.


Clip the shades layer with the textfront layer and set the blend mode as softlight.


I’ve desaturated the model, added a bit of contrast in it, and created a reflection on the final image. This is the result. Good luck!

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