Knockout Text Effect 2026: Free Transparent Cutout Tool

Master the knockout text effect (also known as cutout text, see-through text, or transparent text effect). Learn how to create professional designs where your subject shows through transparent text. Try our free transparent text generator to create these effects instantly.

What is Knockout Text Effect?

The knockout text effect is a popular design technique where text appears transparent, allowing the background image or subject to show through the letters. This effect is also called cutout text, see-through text, transparent text effect, or clipping mask text in different design software.

Modern logo designs and branding
Eye-catching social media graphics
Professional posters and flyers
YouTube thumbnails and covers
Website hero sections and headers
Product photography and marketing

How to Create Knockout Text Effect (Easy Method)

Step 1: Choose Your Image

Select an image with strong visual elements, colors, or patterns. The transparent cutout text effect works best when the image showing through your text has good contrast and interesting details. Photos of people, landscapes, textures, or colorful backgrounds create the most impactful results.

Step 2: Add and Customize Your Text

Type your message and customize the appearance. Bold, thick fonts work best for cutout text effects. Larger text shows more detail of the underlying image. Position text over interesting parts of your image.

Step 3: Apply Transparent Inside Mode

Select the "Transparent Inside" overlay mode (our term for the knockout text effect). Our AI instantly creates the see-through text with a subtle outline, making your subject visible through the transparent letters while keeping them readable!

✨ Design Tip

For the best knockout text effect, use a high-contrast, colorful, or textured background. The more interesting your underlying image, the more striking your transparent cutout text will appear!

Knockout Text vs Other Text Effects

Knockout Text Effect (Transparent Cutout)

The knockout text effect or cutout text makes text completely transparent, showing the image through the letters. Perfect for modern, minimalist designs with strong visual impact.

Text Behind Object Effect

This effect makes text appear behind your subject, creating depth. While knockout typography focuses on transparency, text behind creates layering.

Normal Text Overlay

Standard text placed on top of images with solid colors. Unlike transparent text effects, normal overlays don't show the background through the letters.

Why Use Our Free Knockout Text Tool?

Creating cutout text effects can require clipping masks in a traditional editor. Overlay Text provides a browser-based workflow for transparent text treatments, with controls to adjust the result alongside other text styles. Check the current export options when you are ready to download.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is knockout text?

Knockout text is a design technique where the text itself is transparent (see-through), revealing the background image behind it, often surrounded by a solid or semi-solid block.

Do I need Photoshop to create knockout text?

No. Our free online tool creates the exact same effect instantly without any expensive software. You just need to select the "Transparent Inside" mode.

Which fonts work best for knockout text?

Thick, bold fonts work best because they provide more surface area for the background image to show through. Our tool includes several bold fonts perfect for this effect.

Can I use knockout text for commercial projects?

You keep the rights to the photos you upload and the designs you export, and you can use them in personal and commercial projects. Free exports include a small "Made with Overlay Text" mark; Pro exports do not. See the Terms of Service for the current license wording.

Conclusion

The knockout text effect is a powerful design technique that creates stunning visual impact. Whether you call it cutout text, see-through text, transparent cutout text, or knockout typography, this effect makes your designs stand out. With our free text overlay tool, you can create professional transparent text effects in seconds. Also try our transparent text generator for see-through effects, the text behind image effect for 3D depth, the AI text overlay tool for smart placement, or the AI image caption generator for instant caption ideas. If you're new to the broader topic, start with what text overlay is, then browse text overlay ideas for more ways to use cutout type.

Written by

Vikram Hegde

Vikram builds Overlay Text, the browser-based text-behind-image and knockout text editor, and writes the tutorials on this blog based on how the editor actually works.

Try the steps in this article in the free Overlay Text editor.