How to Mirror Wrapped Text (for HTV) in Silhouette Studio

We're answering a reader question today....the question is a follow up to our basic tutorial on how to wrap text around a circle. The question comes from Michele who asks:

"How do you mirror image (the wrapped text) so you can cut HTV?" 

This is often needed if you want to make a logo - especially on the chest - for a t-shirt.

Michele brings up a good point because for Heat Transfer Vinyl you must mirror your image, especially if you have text, because when you flip it onto your shirt or fabric, it will be opposite of the way it cut.  If your image includes wrapped text, however, if you simply mirror it, it won't work. 
The mirror image on the right is something like what you'll get and we don't want that because it's upside down and just all plain wrong...

Instead, you need to take a few extra steps to get it right :)

This tutorial will assume you know the basics on how to wrap text, so if you're unfamiliar read that full tutorial here and then pick up back here....

Start by wrapping your text around the circle as you normally would. 

-Draw a Circle

-Type your Text

-Double Click the Text

-Use the Directional Arrow on the green box around the text to drag it and around the circle. 

Now highlight the entire design and make it a compound path.  Do this by right clicking and selecting "Make Compound Path." 

 

 Now you can mirror the entire image.  Click the Replicate Icon (highlighted in blue along the top tool bar below) > Mirror Right. 

And now all of your text is flipped. Delete the original design so you are only working with the flipped image.

Highlight the mirrored image  > Right Click > Release Compound Path. 

By releasing the compound path you can now select only the text to "Cut" and mark the actual circle as "No Cut".

And there you have it...a perfectly mirrored text wrap.

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Thanks for coming to class today at Silhouette School.  If you like what you see, I'd love for you to pin it!