What are some common text to curves errors and how to avoid them?

1 Font compatibility

One of the main reasons to use text to curves is to ensure font compatibility across different platforms or devices. If you use a custom or uncommon font in your design, and you export it as a raster image or a PDF, there is a chance that the font will not display correctly or at all on the recipient's end. By converting the text to curves, you embed the font information into the graphic file, and you avoid any font substitution or missing font errors. However, you should always keep a copy of the original text layer or document, in case you need to edit or change the text later.

2 Text quality

Another reason to use text to curves is to preserve the text quality when scaling or transforming the text. If you resize or distort the text as a raster image, you may lose some of the sharpness or clarity of the text, especially at small sizes or low resolutions. By converting the text to curves, you maintain the vector quality of the text, and you can scale or transform it without any loss of quality. However, you should also be careful not to overdo the scaling or distortion, as it may affect the legibility or aesthetics of the text. For example, if you stretch the text too much, you may create unwanted gaps or overlaps between the letters, or distort the proportions of the text.

3 Text alignment

A third reason to use text to curves is to align the text with other graphic elements, such as shapes, curves, or paths. By converting the text to curves, you can use tools such as snapping, aligning, or distributing to position the text precisely and consistently with other elements in your design. However, you should also be aware of the potential alignment errors that can occur when converting the text to curves. For example, if you use a font that has a different baseline or x-height than the default, you may notice that the text shifts slightly when converted to curves, and you may need to adjust the alignment manually.

4 Text editing

A fourth reason to use text to curves is to edit the text as a graphic element, such as changing the shape, color, or style of the text. By converting the text to curves, you can access tools such as node editing, path operations, or effects that allow you to modify the text in various ways. However, you should also be aware of the limitations and drawbacks of editing the text as curves. For example, if you want to change the content, spelling, or font of the text, you will not be able to do so easily, as the text is no longer editable as text. You will have to either undo the conversion, or recreate the text from scratch.

5 Text accessibility

A fifth reason to use text to curves is to create decorative or artistic text effects, such as logos, icons, or illustrations. By converting the text to curves, you can create unique and creative designs that stand out and convey your message. However, you should also be aware of the accessibility issues that can arise when using text as curves. For example, if you use text as curves in a web design, you may reduce the readability and usability of your site for users with visual impairments, screen readers, or search engines. You may also affect the loading speed and performance of your site, as text as curves may increase the file size and complexity of your web graphics.

6 Text to curves best practices

To sum up, text to curves is a useful and versatile technique in 2D graphics but can also come with some challenges and risks. To avoid common errors, it's best to keep a copy of the original text layer or document before converting it to curves. Text to curves should only be used when necessary and for the final version of your design. After conversion, check the quality and alignment of the text, making any adjustments if needed. Additionally, use text to curves sparingly and selectively, avoiding it for large or important blocks of text. When using text as curves in web design, consider the accessibility and performance implications, providing alternative text or formats if possible.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?