# Overlay Text: full site guide
> Overlay Text is a free, browser-based editor for adding and styling text on images. It includes standard text overlays, a text-behind-image mode driven by AI subject detection, knockout (cutout) text, and an AI caption generator that places the caption on the photo.

## What the product does
The editor at https://overlaytext.com/app lets a visitor upload a photo, add one or more text layers, style them (font, size, color, shadow, outline, opacity, rotation, position), pick a mode for each layer, and download the result.

Three modes are available per text layer:
1. Text on top: the classic overlay. Text sits above the whole image.
2. Text behind image (also called text behind object or text behind person): the editor runs an AI segmentation model in the browser to separate the subject from the background, then places the text between them so the subject appears in front of the text.
3. Knockout text (also called cutout or transparent text): the letters are cut out of a solid panel so the photo is visible only through the text.

## Plans and limits
- Free: no account needed to edit and download. Downloads are capped at 720p and carry a small "Made with Overlay Text" mark. Signed-in free users can save a limited number of creations.
- Pro: original-resolution downloads without the mark, unlimited saved creations, and a monthly quota of AI caption generations. Current prices are listed at https://overlaytext.com/pricing.
- Web subscriptions are billed through Polar; the iOS and Android apps use in-app purchase.

## Privacy notes
- The AI subject-detection step runs in the visitor's browser (TensorFlow.js). The photo does not need to leave the device for segmentation.
- Saved creations for signed-in users are stored in cloud storage so they can be re-opened later. See https://overlaytext.com/privacy and https://overlaytext.com/data-deletion.

## How to create the text behind image effect (3 steps)
1. Upload a photo with a clear subject (a person, pet, or product) at https://overlaytext.com/app.
2. Add a text layer, type the words, and choose a bold font and a color that contrasts with the background.
3. Switch the layer to the "Behind" mode. The subject is detected automatically and the text moves behind it. Adjust size and position, then download.

## How to create knockout text (3 steps)
1. Upload a photo with strong colors or texture.
2. Add a text layer with a thick font and switch it to Knockout mode.
3. Position the text so an interesting part of the photo shows through the letters, then download.

## Product pages
- [Text Behind Image](https://overlaytext.com/text-behind-image): Definition, 3-step tutorial, use cases (YouTube thumbnails, Instagram, product marketing), comparison with Photoshop, pro tips, and FAQ.
- [Knockout Text](https://overlaytext.com/knockout-text): Definition, tutorial, style examples, and the difference between the knockout effect and the "Knockout" typeface.
- [Transparent Text Generator](https://overlaytext.com/transparent-text-generator): See-through text, with a table explaining how transparent text differs from knockout text.
- [Add Text to Photo](https://overlaytext.com/add-text-to-photo): General starting point for adding styled text to a photo.
- [AI Text Overlay](https://overlaytext.com/ai-text-overlay): Overview of the AI-assisted overlay features.
- [AI Image Caption Generator](https://overlaytext.com/image-caption-generator): Upload a photo, get five caption ideas generated from the image content, and place the chosen caption on the photo.
- [Black and White Background](https://overlaytext.com/black-and-white-background): Keep the subject in color while the background becomes black and white.

## Content and examples
- [Blog](https://overlaytext.com/blog): Tutorials on text overlay techniques, typography, and image-editing workflows, written by the founder.
- [What is text overlay?](https://overlaytext.com/blog/what-is-text-overlay): Pillar article covering the three overlay types and readability rules.
- [Gallery](https://overlaytext.com/gallery): Visual examples of text overlay designs.

## Company, account, and support
- [About](https://overlaytext.com/about): Who builds Overlay Text and why.
- [Pricing](https://overlaytext.com/pricing): Current plan information.
- [Contact](https://overlaytext.com/contact): Contact and support options (support@overlaytext.com).
- [Privacy Policy](https://overlaytext.com/privacy): Information about data collection and processing.
- [Terms of Service](https://overlaytext.com/terms): Terms for using the service.
- [Data Deletion Request](https://overlaytext.com/data-deletion): Instructions for requesting account and data deletion.