Great design is all about balance—and when you’re mixing text and images in Adobe InDesign, Text Wrap is the tool that makes it happen. Whether you’re wrapping a caption around a product photo, or flowing body text around a silhouetted graphic, mastering text wrap gives your layout that polished, editorial look.
Here’s everything you need to know to control text flow like a pro.
What Is Text Wrap in InDesign?
Text wrap controls how text behaves when it encounters an object. Instead of overlapping or crashing into it, text moves around the image, shape, or frame—preserving readability and visual harmony.
You can wrap text:
- Around bounding boxes
- Around the shape of the object
- Inside or outside of a custom contour
How to Use Text Wrap in InDesign
- Place an Image or Shape
Insert your image or draw a shape onto the page. - Open the Text Wrap Panel
Go to Window > Text Wrap - Choose a Wrap Option
The panel provides several icons:- No text wrap
- Wrap around bounding box
- Wrap around object shape
- Jump object
- Jump to next column
- Adjust the Offset
In the same panel, set spacing (top, bottom, left, right) between text and object. - Apply the Wrap
Select your object and click the wrap style you want—the text will instantly flow around it.
Pro Features and Tips
- Wrap Around Shape: Works best with PNGs or vector shapes. You can refine the path using Object > Clipping Path > Options.
- Wrap Only Affects Below: By default, text below the object is affected. To change, go to Text Frame Options and adjust the wrap setting.
- Invert Wrap: Want text inside a shape? Use Type > Create Outlines and wrap text inside the new shape with “Invert” checked.
- Anchor Your Images: Anchor wrapped images to specific text blocks for responsive layouts.
When to Use Text Wrap
- Magazine layouts with inline product shots
- Editorial pages with cut-out images
- Newsletters with profile images and bios
- Brochures with illustrated elements
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using wrap on background elements—may cause hidden text
- Forgetting to adjust wrap offsets—text gets too tight or too far
- Applying wrap to locked layers or grouped elements
Final Thoughts
Text wrap is a powerful design feature that, when used thoughtfully, turns static layouts into fluid, professional compositions. Whether you’re building a magazine, report, or poster, well-managed text wrap can elevate your layout from basic to beautiful.
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