# Bending words along paths with the Curved Text Generator

> text flowing around circles, spirals, and waves

Straight text is easy; the designs people stop for are the ones that flow. This tool lays your words along three path families: a circle for borders, badges, and ornament rims; a spiral that winds a long phrase into a compact disc; and a wave that gives a phrase a playful bounce.

Letters overlap along the path and merge into one connected piece, so a circular phrase cuts as a single ring-ready shape instead of thirty loose letters. Exports cover SVG plus STL/3MF for printable versions.

## What you need

- **Laser cutting:** laser cutter, 3 mm [laser-grade plywood](https://yxecreations.com/collections/laser-grade-plywood) or [acrylic](https://yxecreations.com/pages/acrylic-sheets)
- **Vinyl cutting:** Cricut or similar, adhesive vinyl, transfer tape; curved text is the natural fit for round tumblers and plates
- **3D printing:** any FDM printer, one spool of filament

## Step 1 - Pick a path shape



Open the tool, enter **Your Text**, and choose the **Shape**. **Circle** gives you **Diameter**, **Start Angle**, and **Direction** (clockwise puts text on top of the ring, counter puts it underneath). **Spiral** adds **Inner/Outer Diameter**, **Turns**, and **Flow** (Center Out or Outside In). **Wave** uses **Length**, **Amplitude**, and **Wavelength** for the bounce.

## Step 2 - Tune the lettering



- Pick a **Font** and set **Font Size**; script faces hide the joints between overlapped letters best.
- **Letter Spacing** and **Word Spacing** control overlap; for one-piece cutting, every letter must touch its neighbour.
- **Thickness** fattens the merged path, rescuing thin connections on tight curves.
- **Flip Text** mirrors the text to the other side of the path.
- **Connect Dots** ties i and j dots into the body; **Score Letter Edges** adds letter outlines as a score layer.
- Set real-world size with the **Units** toggle before exporting.

## Step 3 - Export



Download an **SVG** for laser or vinyl, or an **STL**/**3MF** at your chosen depth for 3D printing.

## Step 4 - Make a whole batch at once



Curving the same shape for a list of names or words? Use the **Single / Batch** toggle above the text field, switch to **Batch**, and type one entry per line or upload a .txt file. Every entry uses the current path shape and lettering settings. The preview tiles them all so you can check the set, and one download gives you everything: the SVG lays every design onto a single sheet, and STL/3MF downloads bundle one model per entry in a zip. Saving and sharing are paused while you are in Batch mode.

## Laser Cutting

### Cutting curved text



1. Import the SVG; for circular designs, pair the text ring with a backing circle cut from a second sheet.
2. Inspect tight-curve joints in your laser software and add Thickness in the tool if any look hairline.
3. Cut from masked 3 mm plywood or acrylic.
4. If you enabled Score Letter Edges, run the score layer at low power before the cut layer.
5. Glue spiral and circle pieces onto round blanks; wave phrases mount beautifully on rectangular signs.

## Vinyl Cutting

### Curved decals



1. Import the SVG; the merged path weeds as one connected piece.
2. Circle text sized to your tumbler diameter wraps without the distortion straight text suffers on a taper.
3. Weed, transfer-tape, and apply; hinge-tape round designs at the top so they land centered.
4. Wave phrases make great water-bottle and laptop decals at 120 to 200 mm long.

## 3D Printing

### Printing curved text



1. Export the 3MF at 3 to 6 mm depth.
2. Print flat on a smooth plate; the merged path is one watertight solid.
3. Spirals print as striking coaster-sized medallions; add a printed disc base in a second color.
4. If letters on the tightest curve slice thin, raise Font Size or Thickness in the tool, not the slicer.

## Make it yours

- Circle a family name around the rim of a laser-cut wreath blank.
- Spiral a whole wedding vow into a disc and frame it.
- Wave a kid's name across a bedroom door sign.
- Make round ornament text: name on the top arc, year on the bottom arc, two exports.
- Spiral song lyrics outward from the center for a first-dance keepsake.
- Vinyl a circular monogram onto a glass cutting board.
- Cut a wave phrase from acrylic and stand it in a slotted wood base for a desk sign.
- Combine with the Connected Text tool for the straight companion pieces in a gift set.

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Open the Curved Text Generator: https://www.mylasertools.com/curved-text-generator
Read online: https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/guides/curved-text-generator