How to Add Text Overlays in Blender VSE

Adding text overlays in the Blender Video Sequence Editor (VSE) allows you to display titles, captions, and lower thirds directly over your video footage. This guide explains how to insert a dedicated text strip, customize its typography and appearance, position it accurately on the screen, and control its timing within your sequence.

Step 1: Open the Video Sequence Editor

  1. Open Blender and select the Video Editing template from the startup splash screen, or switch your workspace to the Video Sequencer using the top workspace tabs.
  2. Ensure your base video or image footage is already imported into the sequencer timeline.

Step 2: Add a Text Strip

  1. Move the timeline playhead (current frame indicator) to the exact frame where you want the text to appear.
  2. Make sure the channel above your video footage is empty so the text can sit on top of the video layer.
  3. Click Add in the sequencer menu at the top, or press Shift + A.
  4. Select Text from the dropdown menu. A new text strip will appear in the timeline at the playhead position.

Step 3: Edit and Customize the Text

  1. Click on the newly created text strip in the timeline to select it.
  2. Open the sidebar properties panel on the right side of the sequencer (press N if the panel is hidden).
  3. Navigate to the Strip tab inside the sidebar.
  4. Under the Text section:
    • Text Field: Type your desired text into the main input box.
    • Font: Click the folder icon to load custom TrueType (.ttf) or OpenType (.otf) fonts from your computer, or leave it on the default font.
    • Size: Adjust the font size slider to scale the text up or down.
    • Color: Set the text color and alpha (transparency).
    • Alignment: Set the horizontal (Left, Center, Right) and vertical (Top, Center, Bottom) text alignment.

Step 4: Position and Style the Overlay

  1. In the same sidebar panel, scroll to the Location settings to position your text across the screen using the X and Y percentage sliders.
  2. To improve readability over complex backgrounds, enable the Shadow or Box options:
    • Shadow: Adds a drop shadow behind the text with adjustable blur and offset.
    • Box: Places a solid or semi-transparent colored bounding box directly behind the text.

Step 5: Adjust Duration and Timing

  1. In the timeline, click and drag the left or right handle of the text strip to adjust when it starts, how long it remains on screen, and when it ends.
  2. Alternatively, set exact frame numbers in the Time section within the sidebar panel.