Do you HAVE to create text blocks?

[Wandrey]

I am a Mac user. I am new to Affinity Publisher and have used Pagemaker and then InDesign for many years. I'm not used to having to create text blocks. I'm used to manipulating the text until I have it the way I want it, not trying to manipulate the constraints of the text block. Is this possible with Publisher?

I've attached a 2 screenshots demonstrating some other issues I can't figure out.

I get a hairline box around my text block that actually prints. How do I get rid of that? 

The red circle shows that there is text behind the photo. The second screen shot shows what the original document from my customer looked like. 

Also, is there a search bar to find out if this subject has already been addressed? I'm not seeing one on this page. 

 

[firstdefence]

As far as I am aware there has to be a container of some sort, but instead of using the text frame tool, have you tried using the artistic text tool?

A search input is just below your username when you are logged in, assuming you are using a desktop computer.