Creating eye-catching videos is no longer limited to professional editors or expensive software. One of the most popular modern video effects is the text behind a person effect, often seen in YouTube videos, Instagram Reels, TikTok edits, and cinematic intros.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to put text behind a person in CapCut using the free version, step by step. This tutorial is beginner-friendly and works on both CapCut Desktop and CapCut Mobile.
I’ve also uploaded a full video tutorial on YouTube if you prefer a visual walkthrough.
Watch the Video Tutorial
What Is the Text Behind a Person Effect?
The text-behind-person effect makes your text appear behind the subject in the video, creating a layered and cinematic look. Instead of text sitting flat on top of the video, it interacts naturally with the scene.
This effect is commonly used in:
YouTube intros and titles
Travel and vlog videos
Fitness and motivational content
Talking-head videos
Short-form content (Reels, Shorts, TikTok)
It instantly improves video quality and viewer engagement.
Why Use CapCut for This Effect?
CapCut is one of the best free video editors available today. It offers powerful features that usually require paid software.
Benefits of Using CapCut
100% free
Beginner-friendly interface
Advanced masking tools
Available on desktop and mobile
Fast rendering and export
You don’t need After Effects or Premiere Pro to create professional-looking edits anymore.
What You Need Before Starting
To follow this tutorial, make sure you have:
CapCut Free Editor (Desktop or Mobile)
A video clip with a visible person
Simple text (title, name, or caption)
That’s it — no plugins, no paid tools.
Step-by-Step: How to Put Text Behind a Person in CapCut
Follow these steps carefully for the best results.
Step 1: Import Your Video into CapCut
Open CapCut and create a new project. Import your video clip into the timeline.
Tip:
Choose footage where:
The person is clearly visible
Lighting is good
The background isn’t too busy
Cleaner footage makes masking much easier.
Step 2: Add Your Text
Go to Text → Add Text and type your desired text.
Customize:
Font style
Font size
Color
Stroke or shadow
SEO tip: Keep the text short and bold. Large, simple fonts work best for this effect.
Position the text where you want it to appear behind the person.
Step 3: Duplicate the Video Layer
Right-click the video clip and select Duplicate.
Move the duplicated video above the text layer in the timeline.
Your layer order should be:
Duplicated video (top)
Text layer (middle)
Original video (bottom)
This layer structure is essential.
Step 4: Apply a Mask to the Top Video
Select the duplicated (top) video layer and click Mask.
Choose the best mask for your subject:
Split Mask – best for standing people
Linear Mask – angled subjects
Circle Mask – head or upper body
Adjust the mask so it covers the person only.
Increase Feather/Softness to blend the edges naturally.
Step 5: Animate the Mask (If the Person Moves)
If the person moves:
Add a keyframe
Move forward a few frames
Adjust the mask position
Repeat until the movement is covered
This ensures the text stays behind the person throughout the clip.
Step 6: Refine the Effect
For a professional finish:
Add shadow or stroke to text
Increase mask feathering
Slightly adjust text position
Zoom in to fix edge imperfections
Small adjustments make a big difference.
Bonus Tips for Better Results
Use bold fonts instead of thin fonts
Avoid overly long text
Add subtle motion to text
Combine with light color grading
Export in higher resolution for YouTube
These tips help your video stand out.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Poor lighting footage
Too much text
Hard mask edges (no feather)
Fast subject movement without keyframes
Low-resolution exports
Fixing these mistakes will instantly improve your final result.
Best Export Settings
For best quality:
Resolution: 1080p or 4K
Frame rate: 30fps or 60fps
High bitrate
Uploading 4K to YouTube often results in better compression quality.
Why This Effect Helps Your Videos Rank Better
High-quality visuals:
Increase watch time
Improve viewer retention
Boost engagement
Look more professional
All of these factors help your YouTube and social media content perform better.
Watch the Full CapCut Tutorial
Need a Freelance Video Editor?
If you want professional editing help, you can hire expert video editors on Fiverr here:
👉 https://rafys.net/fiverr
Final Thoughts
The text-behind-person effect looks advanced, but with CapCut’s free masking tools, anyone can create it. Once you understand the basic workflow — duplicate video → add text → apply mask → refine — you can use this effect in almost any type of video.
Try it today and instantly level up your video editing skills.
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