Add Text to Video: The Complete Guide for 2025

Text is one of the most powerful tools in video editing. Whether it's a title card, lower third, caption, or animated text — adding text can transform a good video into a great one.

In this guide, we'll cover everything from basic text overlays to advanced typography techniques.

Why Add Text to Videos?

• **Accessibility**: 85% of Facebook videos are watched without sound
• **Engagement**: Videos with captions get 12% more engagement
• **Clarity**: Text reinforces your message and guides viewers
• **Branding**: Consistent typography builds brand recognition
• **SEO**: YouTube indexes captions for search

Types of Text in Video

1. Titles

The big text at the beginning. Sets the tone and tells viewers what to expect.

Best practices:

• Keep it under 6 words
• Use bold, readable fonts
• Ensure high contrast with background
• Display for 3-5 seconds minimum

2. Lower Thirds

The text bar at the bottom of the screen. Perfect for names, locations, and context.

Best practices:

• Position in the lower 1/4 of the frame
• Use semi-transparent background
• Keep text left-aligned
• Animate in/out smoothly

3. Captions/Subtitles

Transcribed dialogue that appears on screen. Essential for accessibility.

Types:

• **Open captions**: Burned into the video (always visible)
• **Closed captions**: Can be turned on/off (SRT files)
• **Auto-captions**: AI-generated (iLoveVideoEditor supports this)

4. Callouts

Arrows, labels, and highlights that point to specific elements.

Best for:

• Tutorials and demos
• Product showcases
• Educational content

5. Animated Text

Text that moves, scales, or changes properties over time.

Common animations:

• Fade in/out
• Slide from edges
• Typewriter effect
• Scale up/down
• Bounce/elastic

How to Add Text in iLoveVideoEditor

Basic Text Overlay

1. Open your project in the editor

2. Click the "Text" tool in the toolbar

3. Click on the canvas where you want the text

4. Type your text

5. Customize font, size, color, and position in the inspector panel

Adding Captions

1. Import your video

2. Go to Tools → Captions

3. Click "Auto-generate" (uses speech-to-text)

4. Review and edit the generated text

5. Style captions with your brand fonts and colors

Creating Lower Thirds

1. Add a text layer

2. Position at bottom of frame

3. Add a shape layer behind the text (rectangle with 60% opacity)

4. Group the text and shape together

5. Animate the group to slide up from bottom

Typography Tips for Video

Font Selection

• **Sans-serif** for modern, clean look (Inter, Roboto, Helvetica)
• **Serif** for elegant, traditional feel (Playfair, Merriweather)
• **Display** for titles and emphasis (Bebas Neue, Oswald)
• **Monospace** for code and data (JetBrains Mono, Fira Code)

Readability Rules

• Minimum size: 24px for desktop, 36px for mobile
• Contrast ratio: 4.5:1 minimum (7:1 for accessibility)
• Line length: 30-40 characters per line
• Safe margins: Keep text 10% from edges

Color Psychology

• **White**: Clean, simple, universal
• **Yellow**: Attention-grabbing, energetic
• **Red**: Urgent, important, exciting
• **Blue**: Trustworthy, professional, calm
• **Black**: Dramatic, sophisticated

Advanced Techniques

Kinetic Typography

Text that moves in sync with audio. Great for:

• Music videos
• Quote animations
• Lyric videos

Text Masks

Use text as a mask to reveal video or images behind it.

3D Text

Add depth and perspective to titles.

Text Reveals

Animate text character by character or word by word.

Quick Tips

1. **Less is more**: Don't overcrowd the frame

2. **Consistency**: Use 2-3 fonts max per video

3. **Hierarchy**: Make important text bigger/bolder

4. **Timing**: Text should appear before it's needed, disappear after

5. **Safe zone**: Keep text within the center 80% of frame

Try It Yourself

Ready to add text to your videos?

Open the editor →

Check out our text templates to get started fast!