Video Editing

How to overlay text on video and GIFs

Updated November 8, 2023

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Whether you’re editing vlogs for YouTube or sharing branded promo videos on social media, communicate your videos message with ease using professional text overlays.

From text options like captions, quotes, meme text, and star ratings, adding text to video can improve its impact, increase engagement, and make your video easier to watch with no sound. You can personalize your text overlays with unique brand colors, fonts, positions, and sizes in just a few clicks.

Read on to learn how to add text to video or meme and explore text effects in Clipchamp.  

How to overlay text on video

Step 1. Import videos or select stock footage

To import your own videos, photos, and GIFs, click on the import media button in the your media tab on the toolbar to browse your computer files, or connect your OneDrive.  

Hình ảnh người dùng nhập phương tiện.

You can also use free stock media like video clips, photos, video backgrounds, and GIFs. Click on the content library tab on the toolbar and click on the visuals drop down arrow, then videos, photos, or backgrounds. Search through the different stock categories using the search bar as well. 

Hình ảnh người dùng thêm video chuyên nghiệp.

Drag and drop your media onto the timeline to start editing.

An image of a user adding media to the timeline.

Step 2. Add text overlay to video

To add text to video, click on the text tab on the toolbar. Here, you'll find all available text styles you can overlay onto your video. Scroll through the title options and hover over a title to preview the text animation. Some popular animated text options are plain text, subtitles, typewriter, and bouncing text.

Click on the add to timeline button to use the title. You can also add a title by dragging and dropping it onto the timeline.

An image of a user adding a title to the timeline.

If you decide that the text doesn’t suit your video, just drag and drop another text style onto the timeline to replace it. You can do this as many times as you need. 

Step 3. Customize your text overlay

To personalize the text overlay, click on the text on the timeline so it's highlighted green, then click on the text tab on the property panel. Here, you can edit what your text reads, the font, size, color, background color, position, and style. Editing options will vary depending on the title you choose.

An image of a user clicking on the text tab on the property panel.

For more help, check out how to add text animation to video.

Step 4. Edit the length of your text overlay

Extend the length of the text by dragging the text handles left and right of the timeline. Dragging to the left will shorten the length, and dragging to the right will extend the length.

An image of a user editing the length of the text.

Step 5. Preview and save your video

Before saving your new video, make sure to preview using the full-screen mode. When you’re ready to save, click on the export button and select a video resolution. We recommend saving all videos in 1080p video resolution for the best quality. Paid subscribers can save in 4K video resolution.  

An image of a user saving a video.

For more help, check out adding titles and text to your video.   

How to overlay text on meme videos  

If you're creating a meme video or GIF, use the meme text to replicate viral meme video text. Click on the text tab on the toolbar, then select the meme text option under the special text category. You can edit your meme text inside the text tab on the property panel. If you don’t want to make a meme from scratch, use a free meme video template instead. 

Hình ảnh người dùng thêm tiêu đề meme vào một video meme.

How to make your overlay transparent in Clipchamp

If you would like to add a transparent text overlay to your video, click on the adjust colors tab on the property panel to open the transparency slider and blend mode options. You can edit your title to look transparent using the transparency slider. Drag the slider to the right to increase the transparency. You can also use the blend mode overlay feature to overlay your text and video.

Hình ảnh người dùng sử dụng tính năng chế độ hòa trộn trong tab điều chỉnh màu.

Top text overlays in Clipchamp 

Credits scrolling title

The scrolling text overlay is perfect for short films and documentaries, slideshow presentations, event videos, and tribute videos. To add the scrolling text overlay to your video, use the credits roll title in the text tab on the toolbar.  

Một ảnh động (GIF) về lớp phủ văn bản cuộn có thông tin nguồn.

Star rating overlay 

The rating text overlay is a great addition to any customer testimonial video, review video, or promotional video. Share your customer ratings and express how your product or service ranks with the rating text overlay. To add the star rating, use the rating title in the text tab on the toolbar. Edit the number of starts in the text tab on the property panel. 

Một hình ảnh động (GIF) về lớp phủ văn bản xếp loại.

Quote text

If you want to make a unique and memorable quote video, just add the quote title overlay on a stock video background. From inspirational quotes to educational content, create professional quote videos using the title. To add the quote text, use the quote title in the text tab on the toolbar.

Một ảnh động (GIF) về lớp phủ văn bản trích dẫn.

Sale text animation

Promote your sale event on social media using this eye-catching sale text overlay. Customize the sale text with your discount details or sale event name, then personalize with your brand colors and font. To add the sale text, use the ‘sale sale sale’ title in the text tab on the toolbar.  

Một ảnh động (GIF) về lớp phủ văn bản bán hàng.

Learn about more video overlay options like picture-in-picture tutorial and frames and borders in these beginner-friendly tutorials.

Start editing your video today with Clipchamp for free or download the Clipchamp Windows app.

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