How to Edit Text in Silhouette Studio

Fonts form a big part of projects. This could be personalizing a birthday gift to a business logo or adding a verse for a wedding invitation. In this tutorial, we will be looking at how to change the font in Silhouette Studio. You will also learn how to add text effects such as curving text, pattern/paper fills and many more creative options.

Editing text in Silhouette Studio is very easy to do. You are not limited to just a solid fill. Fonts can have different patterns and fill or be transformed around a shape. Silhouette Studio has a set of patterns preloaded but you do have the option of adding your own patterns to the Library.

Basic Text Editing

Step 1 - Install fonts and use the Text Tool:

After installing your font, open your Silhouette Design Studio. We have a great guide on installing fonts on Windows or Mac to help you get started.

On the left side panel click on the letter A. This will open the Text Tool. Click on the canvas to create your text box. Then type out the word/phrase you wish to use.

Step 2 - Open Text Style Panel:

With the word selected, click on the Text Style Panel on the right side panel. The last used font is usually the one applied.

Step 3 - Pick your Font:

Scroll through your library of fonts and choose which one you would like to use. In this tutorial we have used the Pasta Sauce font. We have a great selection of Silhouette Fonts on Design Bundles.

With some fonts letters will overlap. These letters either need to be welded (right click, Weld) or use Character Spacing to prevent issues with cutting. Once welded, letters may separate as individual objects. Remember to group before repositioning.

Step 4 - Adjust Characters Spacing and Kerning:

If needed, you can use the line spacing, character spacing and kerning in the Character Spacing section of the text style panel.

Adding Gradients and Pattern/Paper fills to fonts in Silhouette Studio

Fonts can have more than just a solid fill color in Silhouette Studio. Any type of pattern or paper design can be used to create a textured and interesting font. In this section we will discuss gradients and you will also learn how to Fill text with digital papers or patterns.

Step 1 - Type out your text and select a font:

Type out your text and select a font from the Font Style Panel. We will be using the quirky font Topknot.

Step 2 - Adjust Character Spacing:

If the letters appear too close together you can adjust the Character Spacing. Increasing the number spaces the letters further apart. Adjust the letters as/if needed.

Step 3 - Select the Fill Gradient:

Click the Fill Panel on the right side of the screen. The icon looks like a little paint palette. Select the second icon, the Fill Gradient. Choose the gradient that you want and it will be automatically added to the font.

Step 4 - Adjust the gradient as you wish:

Further down the Fill Panel menu, under the Gradient icon, are the Advanced Settings. You can adjust the gradient by shifting each 'flag' as well as change the color

Using Paper/Pattern Fills in Silhouette Studio

A selection of Paper or Pattern fills are already available in Silhouette Studio and can be found under the Fill Panel. You can also use your own patterns or download some pattern backgrounds for your Silhouette Library. Photos and images can also be added for creative opportunities.

If you need help, we have an awesome tutorial where you can learn to upload patterns to Silhouette Studio.

Step 1 - Click the Pattern Fill icon:

With your text selected, click on the Fill Panel to open it and select the Pattern Fill icon. This will be last icon on the right that looks like polka dots.

Step 2 - Choose a Pattern Fill:

Choose a pattern from the selection of preloaded patterns. We chose tartan_015.

Advanced options allow you to mirror or change the Aspect ratio of the pattern. You can also adjust the angle, scale and pan or move the fill around.

Using the Offset tool to create an outline

The Offset tool is a favorite for creating stickers with a white border. But it can do so much more such as creating an outline or an edge, even making thin Cursive Fonts thicker for easier cutting and weeding.

Step 1 - Click on the Offset panel:

Create an offset by clicking on the Offset Panel on the right side. In this example, we are using this adorable chunky font, Granny Maria.

Step 2 - Select your text and click the Offset icon:

To add an Offset, select your text then click on the Offset icon.

Step 3 - Adjusting the distance of the Offset:

By default the Distance is set to 0.200cm. Adjust the Distance between the text and Offset as you wish. Click Apply.

Step 4 - Select the Offset and Text:

Once the Offset has been applied, select both the Offset and Text.

Step 5 - Make the text a Compound Path:

Right click and select Make Compound Path. All the parts of the text will be joined together as one shape.

Step 6 - Choose a Fill:

Click to select the outline and click on the Fill Panel. Choose from a solid Fill Color, Fill Gradient or Fill Pattern. We chose the blackpinblue_polka pattern.

An example of the many creative possibilities.

Making thin font thicker with the Offset tool

Some fonts, like script fonts, can be a bit of an issue to cut and weed. The Offset feature can be used to create a thicker version of the font. A lovely monoline script font, Honeymoon, was used in this example.

Step 1 - Type out your text and Weld if needed:

Type out your text. You can apply the Offset to text that has been welded or not. In this case we chose to right click and select Weld to remove any overlapping letters.

Step 2 - Add an Offset and adjust Distance:

Click on the Offset Panel and click Offset. Set the Distance to 0.00cm and then start increasing the number. Once you are happy with the Distance, click Apply.

Don’t increase too far as you will lose elements e.g. the letter ‘E’ loses the inner element as seen below. You can change the Corner to apply round or sharp corners to the Offset. The change might not always be obvious depending on the font and the Offset.

Step 3 - Delete the text:

Now that the Offset has been applied you can delete the original text. You have a thicker version of the script font and no longer need the original text.

The Offset may cause the letters to separate as individual objects so remember to group them.

Ungrouping text

Ungrouping text turns each letter into an individual object which can be manipulated with tools like the Edit Points tool (for editing Nodes). Individual letters allow for repositioning and changing the entire flow of the font.

Note: once you ungroup text you can no longer edit it with the Text Tool or Text Style Panel.

Step 1 - Type out your text:

Using the Text Tool, type out your text. Change the font as you wish and add a fill if needed.

Step 2 - Select text and Ungroup:

Select the text, right click and select Ungroup. Each letter is now an individual object.

Step 3 - Reposition each individual letter:

Each letter can now be shifted around for a more interesting look. Here, each letter was either shifted up or down. Select a letter and use your up/down arrows to move the letter to a new position.

How to curve text in Silhouette Studio

In Silhouette Studio you can curve text to a path or shape. This can be a shape from the Drawing Tools icon, Draw an Arc icon or a shape/curve you have drawn yourself with the Freehand Tools.

Step 1 - Type out your text and add a fill:

Type out your text using the Text Tool on the left side panel. Add a fill from the Fill panel selection.

Step 2 - Select and draw out a shape:

Select a shape from either the Drawing Tools or Draw an Arc icons. Draw out the shape to the size you want. We chose an Ellipse from the Drawing Tools.

Step 3 - Double click text to enter Edit Mode:

Double click the text to enter Edit Mode. A circle with directional arrows will appear in the bottom left corner.

Step 4 - Click and drag text to shape:

Place your mouse over this circle, click and drag to the Ellipse shape. The text will curve to the shape of the Ellipse.

Step 5 - Release the text to path:

Move the text round the shape to where you want. Release the mouse button to add the text to the path. The text curves neatly to the shape.

If you are not happy with the placement, click and drag the circle with directional arrows to reposition the text on the curve.

Step 6 - Reposition the text using the slider:

You can reposition the text above or below the curve by using the slider on the left side. Move this slider up or down.

Step 7 - Add spacing between letters:

Some fonts may overlap due to positioning. Use the Character Spacing option in the Text Style Panel to add some space between the letters. Alternatively, manually add spaces between the letters using the Spacebar.

If you want the letters to overlap you can weld them. But once you weld, the letters become individual objects and the text is released from the curve. You can no longer edit the text using the Text Style Panel or use the text to path options.

Step 8 - Convert the text to path:

Once you are happy with the placement and editing you need to Convert the text to Path. This will keep the curved shape of the text. Right click and select Convert to Path.

Remember, once you click Convert to Path, the Text Tool and Text Panel are no longer available.

The text was repositioned and the letters spaced out using the Spacebar.

Step 9 - Remove the shape:

The text has been released from the Ellipse. You can now delete the Ellipse without undoing the text effects. The text will keep the curved shape and edits.

Adding text to a wavy curve

Step 1 - Draw a shape with the Freehand Tools:

You can also draw out any shape using the Freehand Tools. The icon is shaped like a pencil. On the left side panel, click on the Freehand Tools icon. Select either the Draw Freehand or Draw Smooth Freehand.

Draw Smooth Freehand helps to smooth out any sharp points.

Step 2 - Draw a wavy line:

On your canvas draw out a wavy line. If you are not happy with the line you can use Point Editing to change the shape. You can also just delete the line and draw again. To learn more, follow our tutorial on how to use Point Editing.

Step 3 - Drag and drop the text to path:

Double click the text to enter Edit mode. Click on the directional arrows and drag and drop the text onto the wavy line path.

Step 4 - Reposition, edit and release from path:

You can reposition and edit the text as you want. Once done, right click and select Ungroup or Weld. The text has been released from the wavy line.

Other ways can you edit Fonts in Silhouette Studio

Warp Feature

This feature is only available in the paid editions (Designer Edition, Designer Edition Plus, Business Edition). The shape of the text can be warped with various options available.

Please note: Templates are available in Designer Editions Plus and Business Edition. Conical warp and Perspective are available in Business Edition.

Create an outer edge around font

This is slightly different to creating an outline around the font. A white space is present between the font and the outer edge. This creates a popular sport font that would be perfect for sporting events.

Create Split Letter Monograms

You can download modern monogram fonts and personalize them for your projects. Letters and designs can be used with Split Monogram fonts, creating endless crafting options.

An split letter monogram set, Split Letters Alphabet Set 2, was used in this example. Split Letter Monograms are not fonts but image or vector files. You, however, combine them with a font to personalize.

Cutting text into shapes

Text can easily be cut out of a shape using the Subtract Tool under the Modify Panel. A lovely project could be a couple's name cut out of a heart for a wedding invitation. We have a great tutorial on using the Modify Panel if you need it.

Well done mastering Text Effects in Silhouette Studio. You may also want know more about importing patterns, creating monograms and working with shapes.