fitting text in numbers etc

[arthur.daley]

Hi All

I have been asked by a local club to do something along the lines of a leavers hoodie but on a mug - names inside a shape.

I am sure I have seen bits of pro software costing a gazillion quid that do this automatically for the mass sales hoodie and t shirt market. However, this is a one off job and its a bit of a sprat to catch a (potential) mackerel thing. I need to do it right but there isn't a lot of margin to be made. Just need to get a foot in the door!

I have also had a quick search and read on here and Corel Draw and its mail merge function seems to be one option but I don't own or use Corel!

Given that I dont use Coreldraw, everything I do is in Photoshop, any suggestions for how i can fit a stack of names into a shape or text other than by pasting them in one at a time. I thought it might be possible to do it in Word by creating a text box - not sure if word is smart enough to create a text box in say the shape of a VW van - alternatively I am even less sure that I am smart enough to create a text box in the shape of a VW van ;o)

Not worried about file formats, colour profiles and the like - text will almost certainly be black as will the outline of the shape and if the worst comes to the worst I will print it oversize on the laser to fill A4 landscape and then scan it. I can then open in Photoshop, create my mug transfer and resize via the printer driver by telling it to fit into the 210mm width of the transfer paper - should take care of any 'dodgyness' created by the laserprinter.

Any pearls of wisdom offered or suggestions would as always be much appreciated


Arthur

[Reg]

Is this what your after https://tagul.com/cloud/9

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[arthur.daley]

Thanks Reg,

not quite what I had in mind but it will probably do the job, I'll give it a go.


Arthur

[Skye]

Hi Arthur,
This can be done in PS.

Type in the names, then merge the layers so they are all on one layer (keep the background layer separate).

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Create a mask in the shape that you require, and add it as a vector mask to the layer.

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Then you will only see the names that are inside the shape.

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If it's helpful from mailmerge viewpoint, you could create the text in word, then save to a pdf. The pdf can be imported into PS in place of creating the text layer.

Karen

[arthur.daley]

Hi Karen

Ah - I didn't explain. I should have said that I could make a mask in photoshop and drop it over a block of text but of course that wouldn't guarantee that every name appears in full at least once inside the mask or that say one name appears in full all over the place and others are cut short all over the place.

Arthur

[FlyingAl]

Hi Arthur,

In photoshop, simply create any shape you need using the pen tool, you can also use text as long as you 'convert to shape' afterwards.

when you have your shape on the screen, select the text tool and move your mouse over the shape, the text cursor will change from a square to a circle, click inside the shape and start typing

cheers
al

[Reg]

Hi Arthur You can alter the layout if you want the text straight.