how to get text to cut through a circle shape

[tialenae]

How do I get my text to lay over a circle image without the circle itself showing through? Trying to create a logo similar to this hotrod tattoo. Already have my logo drawn up. I have tried creating a circle, cut out the middle, layed it behind the text, but cant figure out how to get the sides to cut out.

[Ray Yorkshire · Accepted solution]

Use the Scissors Tool

Double click on the layer next to  to ''layer 1'' and select template

Make a new layer.

On the new layer make a circle or oval,  no fill with a thickish stroke

select it, Object >Path > Offset Path

and again  to get the 3 paths

Then use the Scissors Tool

click on 2 parts of each path, select the middle and delete

etc

Next cut  the middle path - for the curved text via Type on A Path tool (under the Type Tool)

[tialenae]

This worked EXACTLY how I wanted it to. Thanks a million. New to illustrator, I really appreciate the help!!

[barbara_a]

If you don't want to cut the circles, it would give you more flexibility to make changes if you draw a black shape and put it behind the text.

[Jacob Bugge]

tialenae,

You may (even with live Type and to keep everything ready for edition):

1) Select the logo and Ctrl/Cmd+C+B to create a copy between the original logo and the background, then change the colour to white (so you can see what you are doing);

2) Effect>Path>Offset Path by the desired amount of empty space round the logo, you can see the apparent cutout directly;

3) Select the white offset copy and the background and in the Transparency (flyout) click (Make) Opacity Mask with Clip unticked and Invert Mask ticked.

That should give the desired cutout, also so you can see any possible underlying artwork/background/whatever.