How to Put Text Behind a Person Using CapCut for Free in 2026?

Why putting text behind a person in CapCut

In the competitive world of social media video editing (TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts), visual engagement is everything. If your videos look flat, viewers scroll past. That's why the "text behind person" effect is a staple of professional, dynamic content. This technique involves layering text between the subject and the background, creating the illusion of stunning 3D depth.

While this effect typically requires complex, expensive software, CapCut is a powerful, free, and accessible automatic video editor. CapCut makes this complex visual depth achievable for beginners and pros alike, instantly elevating your edits.

How to put text behind a person in CapCut online

If you are planning to put text behind a person in CapCut online, to create that amazing visual depth effect, then be sure to follow our recommended steps for a smooth experience.

STEP 1
1. Access CapCut's online video editor

• Begin your journey by first accessing the official online website of CapCut.
• Proceed to sign-up for a free account using your credentials.
• Once signed-in, from the homepage, select the "Video > New video" option.

STEP 2
1. Upload media and implement text effect

• A new web page will open, where you will be required to upload your media.
• Simply click on "Upload" and you will be able to upload your video to CapCut's servers.

• After uploading media, click on the "Text" option on your left-hand panel.
• Then, proceed to enter the text you want to showcase for you video. CapCut offers different styles and fonts to choose from, so be sure to explore as much as you can.

• After entering your text, expand the duration of the text on the timeline, based on your liking.
• We extended the duration for the full video length.

• Once done, proceed to import the same video and then place it on your timeline, above the text element on the timeline.
• Then, select it and click "Smart tools > Remove background" to access CapCut's online background removal AI tool.
• Under "Remove background", we suggest selecting "Auto removal".

Pro tip: If your video has a green background for editing, then you can use the "Chroma key" option, to only remove the green screen.

• Once done, you will be able to accomplish your objective.
• The text will now have a 3D visual effect, being shown behind the person, in the video.

STEP 3
1. Export your video

• Once you are satisfied with the results, click on "Export".
• CapCut Web will let you download your video, in your preferred resolution, format, frame rate, and quality.
• Alternatively, you can share the same directly on social media channels, such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube.

How to put text behind a person in CapCut PC

On the other hand, if you are planning to put text behind a person on CapCut Desktop via your PC/computer, then you need to follow the suggested steps below judiciously.

STEP 1
1. Import your media

• Before you do anything, you need to download and install CapCut Desktop on your computer, using the links provided above.
• Once installed, launch it and start by uploading your video. After that, drag the video clip to the main timeline (track 1).

STEP 2
1. Apply text behind a person's effect

• Next, select the "Text" tool and add a text box.
• Type your desired text, adjust its font, size, and position, and place it on track 2, directly above the video clip on the timeline.
• After that, select both tracks 1 & 2, and then press right-click to choose "Create compound clip".
• Now, again import the original video and place it above your current compounded clip. Then, select it and use the remove background (preferably auto-removal) option.

STEP 3
1. Export your video

• Your text behind a person's video will now be ready for use.
• You can decide to export your video, based on your preferred video resolution, format, quality, etc.

How to put text behind a person in CapCut on mobile

Lastly, if you want to create that stunning visual depth with text on-the-go, then be sure to follow our lead to using the CapCut app on your smartphone.

STEP 1
1. Import your video file

• Start off by first downloading and installing the CapCut App on your smartphone.
• Once done, launch it and start a "New project".
• Add your video clip of the person. Then, select the clip on the timeline and tap "Duplicate" in the menu at the bottom.
• With the new duplicate clip selected, tap "Overlay" to move it to a lower track, directly beneath the original video.

STEP 2
1. Apply your 3D visual text effect

• After that, tap "Text > Add text".
• Type your text, style it, and position it where you want it to appear behind the person.
• Stretch the text layer on the timeline to cover the desired duration.
• Now, select the overlay clip (the duplicated one) and use the remove background (preferably auto-removal), via CapCut's change video background app

STEP 3
1. Export your video

• Voila. Your text will now appear behind the person.
• Once satisfied, you can choose to export your video.

Key features of CapCut as the ideal video editing tool

• Multi-track layering: This is the foundational feature of the depth effect. CapCut allows users to easily stack multiple clips onto separate tracks (the video and the text). This track management capability enables the essential three-layer structure required to correctly sandwich the text element behind the person.
• Overlay functionality: Specifically on CapCut mobile, the dedicated "Overlay" feature provides a quick workflow solution. It easily converts a main clip into a separate, stackable layer (Track 3). This is crucial for correctly positioning the subject's cutout clip above the text without disrupting the original video track.
• Keyframing: Keyframing is the precise tracking mechanism for moving subjects. It records changes in a mask's position or shape over time, ensuring the text stays perfectly hidden behind a moving person. This tool allows for professional, smooth adjustments across the entire video sequence on CapCut PC.
• Advanced text editor: Beyond basic typing, CapCut's robust text editor offers extensive customization. Options include font, stroke, glow, shadow, and kinetic text animations. These features are essential for making the hidden text layer look legible, engaging, and dynamic against various complex video backgrounds.

Creative ways to utilize the text visual depth effect

There are various ways through which you can utilize the text effect to enhance your content. The following are some of the major use cases that you should look into.

I. Vlog/tutorial titles

Use the layered text behind the host to introduce key sections or topics dynamically. Imagine the phrase "Welcome to Bali" appearing through a window as the person walks past, instantly signaling a change in location or subject matter.

II. Product reveal

Enhance commercial edits by placing text detailing a specific product feature directly behind the item. The text is revealed dramatically as the product is rotated, moved into view, or picked up by the model.

III. Lyrical/poetic videos

For an artistic or ethereal feel, use subtle, semi-transparent text with a slight glow effect. Placing this text behind the speaker creates an intimate visual texture, ideal for poetic recitations or song lyrics.

IV. Dynamic intros

Create highly engaging opening sequences where a logo or brand name is partially hidden. The identity is then fully revealed as the subject moves from a dark area into a bright light, adding immediate impact.

V. Interactive elements

Boost engagement by placing crucial call-to-action text, like "Follow" or "Subscribe," partially behind the subject's shoulder or hand. This subtle positioning makes the text feel integrated and encourages viewer interaction.

Pro tips and tricks for maximizing the text effect

In addition to exploring the different use cases, we have also come up with some essential tips and tricks, that you should look into, especially when maximizing the text depth effect in your videos.

In conclusion, you have now mastered three powerful methods for achieving the high-impact text-behind-person effect, whether you are using CapCut online, on your smartphone, or on your PC. This technique, once reserved for professional studios, is fully accessible through CapCut's robust, free tools.

Thus, CapCut is clearly the superior choice for creating visually stunning, dynamic content.

FAQs

1
1. How to put text behind a person in CapCut PC while managing the audio track?

When you duplicate a video clip to create a layer for masking, you inherently duplicate the audio attached to it.

• Underlying process: In any non-linear editing system, the standard solution is to mute the audio on the duplicated (top) layer. This ensures the viewer hears only the original, single audio track, preventing an unpleasant echoing or phasing effect.
• Solution: After copying your original video to Track 3, you must mute the audio on this top track. On CapCut PC, select the Track 3 clip, navigate to the 'Audio' panel in the top-right menu, and simply drag the volume slider all the way down to zero or click the dedicated mute icon. This ensures your layered visual effect is perfect without causing audio distortion.

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1. What are best export settings after I learn how to put text behind a person in CapCut?

Complex visual effects, especially those involving sharp cutouts and precise masking, are highly susceptible to compression artifacts upon export.

• Suggestion: To maintain the crispness of your layered text and the clean edges of your subject, you must choose a high resolution and a high bitrate, ideally matching or exceeding the target platform's recommended settings.
• Action: To guarantee a high-quality result, use the following settings in CapCut's export menu: set the resolution of the video 1080P to 4K, especially if original footage is 4K.. Additionally, set the frame rate to 60fps for smoother movement in the final video. Finally, choose the highest quality code rate setting to minimize destructive compression.

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1. How to put text behind a person in CapCut PC, when dealing with low-light footage?

Low-light or poorly contrasted footage often causes AI-driven automatic masking or rotoscoping tools to fail, as the algorithm struggles to distinguish the subject's edges from the background.

• Last-ditch effort: When auto-tools fail, the only reliable technique is manual rotoscoping, tracing the subject's outline and adjusting it frame-by-frame.
• Alternative: When using CapCut, remember to use the customized cutout tool, so that you can manually trace the person's outline in the first frame, and adjust the mask shape as the person moves. Finally, soften the edges manually for a more realistic blend.