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Add text behind objects, create transparent cutout text effects, and enhance your images with professional typography.
Simple Yet Powerful Features
Create professional text overlays with ease using AI-powered object detection and advanced typography controls.
Multiple Text Overlay Modes
Built specifically for content creators, Overlay Text offers three distinct modes: standard text overlay, text behind objects using AI segmentation, and transparent cutout text effects.
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Powerful and Intuitive Text Overlay Editor
Our intuitive editor makes text customization effortless. Easily adjust fonts, colors, sizes, positioning, shadows, outlines, and more. With an extensive library of professional fonts and real-time preview, you have complete creative control to design stunning text overlays that match your brand perfectly.
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Lightning-Fast AI Object Detection
Use AI-assisted subject detection to create text-behind-object effects without manual masking. Adjust the result in the editor to suit your image and typography.
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Add Unlimited Text Layers
Create complex, multi-layered designs by adding unlimited text elements to your images. Each text layer can be independently customized with its own font, color, size, position, and overlay mode. Mix and match standard overlays, behind-object text, and cutout effects to achieve exactly the look you envision.
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AI Magic Text Suggestions
Stuck on what to write? Let our advanced AI analyze your image and generate creative, catchy captions and quotes instantly. Perfect for social media content, marketing visuals, and inspiration.
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How It Works
Create professional text overlays in three simple steps—no design experience required
Upload Your Image
Simply drag and drop your photo or click to select from your device—supports all common image formats
Customize Your Text
Choose your overlay mode, type your text, and customize fonts, colors, sizes, and positioning with our intuitive visual editor
Download & Share
Export your creation in high-quality PNG format and share instantly across all your social media platforms
Learn Professional Text Effects
Master text behind image effects, knockout text styles, and typography techniques with our comprehensive tutorials
Add Text to Images Online: 10 Creative Ideas
Discover 10 creative ways to add text to images online for free. Professional techniques for stunning visuals.
Instagram Text Effects: Modern Typography Tricks
Explore Instagram text effects and typography techniques for social media.
Text Over Image Generator: How AI Makes Design Easy
Discover how AI-powered text generators revolutionize design with professional results in seconds.
Sign Up Free for Even More
Enjoy the tool forever for free, or sign up to unlock these benefits at no cost
Higher Quality Exports
Export at 720px — perfect for Instagram, TikTok, and web graphics. Upgrade to Pro to remove the subtle watermark.
Save & Sync Designs
Auto-save your last 3 designs to the cloud. Access and re-edit from any device, anywhere.
Re-edit Anytime
Saved designs are fully editable. Update text, colors, and effects whenever you want.
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What Is Text Overlay?
A text overlay is the process of placing typography, words, or captions directly on top of an image or video. It's an essential design technique used to communicate context, add branding, or make a visual more engaging. Whether it's a bold headline on a YouTube thumbnail, a subtle watermark on photography, or an inspiring quote on an Instagram post, text overlays are everywhere in modern digital media.
Historically, adding text to photos required professional software like Adobe Photoshop, where users had to manually manage layers, blending modes, and complex masking. Today, Overlay Text democratizes this process. Our free browser-based tool allows anyone to create professional typography designs—including advanced 3D text-behind-subject effects—in just seconds using AI.
Popular Text Overlay Styles
Explore the most effective ways to combine typography with photography using our free online editor.
The Classic Overlay
Clean, crisp text placed directly over an image. Perfect for memes, quotes, and direct messaging. Use our drop-shadow and outline tools to ensure readability against any background.
Text Behind Image
Our flagship AI feature. The tool automatically detects the subject (person, product, or pet) and tucks your text behind them, creating a magazine-quality 3D depth effect.
Knockout Text
Also known as transparent or cutout text. The text acts as a window, cutting through a solid color overlay to reveal the photograph hiding underneath the letters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Overlay Text
What is Overlay Text and how does it work?
Overlay Text is a free AI-powered tool that helps you add professional text overlays to your images. Simply upload your image, choose from three overlay modes (standard text, text behind objects, or transparent cutout), customize your text with our intuitive editor, and download your creation in high quality.
How does the AI object detection work?
Overlay Text uses image segmentation to identify a subject in your photo, which helps place text visually behind it. Results depend on the image, so photos with a clear subject and good contrast generally work best.
Is Overlay Text really free to use?
Yes. You can start using Overlay Text for free. The free plan supports 720px exports, while Pro includes additional export options. Visit the pricing page for current plan details.
Do I need to create an account or sign up?
You can start creating immediately without an account. A free account adds save-and-re-edit functionality and cross-device access to your designs.
What image formats are supported?
Overlay Text supports all common image formats including JPG, JPEG, PNG, and WEBP. Your final creation is exported as a high-quality PNG file with transparent background support for cutout text mode, perfect for use across all social media platforms and marketing materials.
Can I use Overlay Text for commercial purposes?
Absolutely! You can use Overlay Text to create designs for both personal and commercial projects. Whether you're creating social media content, marketing materials, product images, or promotional graphics, you have full rights to use your creations without attribution required.
What are the three text overlay modes?
We offer three powerful modes: (1) Standard Overlay - traditional text overlays on top of your image, (2) Text Behind Objects - AI-powered mode where text appears behind your subject for a 3D effect, and (3) Transparent Cutout - creates knockout text that reveals the background image through the letters for stunning typography effects.
How many text layers can I add to my image?
You can add unlimited text layers to your images. Each text layer can be independently customized with different fonts, colors, sizes, positions, shadows, outlines, and overlay modes. This gives you complete creative freedom to design complex, multi-layered compositions.
Does Overlay Text work on mobile devices?
Yes! Overlay Text works perfectly on mobile devices including iPhones, Android phones, and tablets. The tool is fully responsive and optimized for touch screens. You can create professional text overlays directly from your phone browser - no app download required. Perfect for creating social media content on the go!
What browsers are supported?
Overlay Text works on all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera. The tool uses advanced web technologies that are supported by all major browsers. For the best experience, we recommend using the latest version of your browser. The AI features work entirely in your browser, so no special plugins or extensions are needed.
Are my images safe and private?
Absolutely! For anonymous users, all image processing happens entirely in your browser - your images never leave your device and are never uploaded to our servers. We never see, store, or have access to your photos. Only if you choose to create an account and save your creations will images be uploaded to secure cloud storage. Your privacy is our top priority.
What's the difference between Overlay Text and Canva or Photoshop?
Overlay Text is focused on adding text and text effects to images in a browser. Canva and Photoshop provide broader design and image-editing workflows. Choose the tool that matches the task, and review each product's current features and pricing before deciding.
Ready to Create Stunning Text Overlays?
Create text overlays in your browser, then sign up if you want access to account features.