What is the best way to make text fit inside a circular shape?

Question

I'd like to create something like this:

(see design peg)

Ideally, the text should be editable so that any letter combination can be used.

I know I can do it quickly (and keep the text editable) by just using Warp (Photoshop/Illustrator) or Envelope Distort (Illustrator), but it doesn't look as nice. The text is editable though. I included some samples in the linked image above.

I can do something neater and closer to the example by making the shapes manually, but of course the text isn't editable. I'd have to make each letter, from A-Z, manually, in each position (left, middle, right). I included a wireframe example in the linked image above.

Is there another way for me to do this so I can still keep the text editable, while having the result look nice and neat like in the design peg? I was thinking that I'd really just have to do the letter shapes manually, because the design peg looks like that how it was done, but I may be wrong. If so, let me know if you know of a better way to do this. I may be missing on a tool or effect I don't know about. Thanks!

P.S. I did try to use WhatFontIs and WhatTheFont to see if I could find the font used in the design peg, but I didn't find anything close. That's another reason why I think it was done manually.

Answer 1

The "best" way is to do it all manually. That way you can control stroke widths, curves and the fitting of the characters specifically for your shape.

If you want a quick solution, there's always LHF Monogram Circle from letterheadfonts.com

Answer 2

I was sure there was an easier way. In Illustrator this is done using "Envelope Distort". Make a shape Type your text Send text to back "Arrange" Place text on shape "Object" "Envelope Distort" "Make with Top Object" Result: Gif File With Instructions and result 2 sec 11ish frames https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VPIeuhtRn9zQbDuRcshYoKPZSeU0I3Xv/view?usp=sharing

Answer 3

If you want edit text in photoshop you know very well you are looking for particular text like a shape. Easy be relax and take circle like a path and use type tool with existing your requirement font size edit in wrap or expand the text then edit as you like.

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/basics/fill-shapes-with-text/