Add and customize text layers

Use text layers in Descript to add visual elements like titles, speaker names, and timers. You can customize each one with different fonts, colors, backgrounds, and layouts to match your project’s style.

This guide covers:

Need synced captions instead?

If you're trying to display your script as timed subtitles or captions, use a captions layer instead of a text layer. Captions are automatically generated from your script and update as you make edits. Learn how to add captions.

Create text layers

From the Elements panel in the right-hand sidebar, choose one of the three fully customizable text options:

  • Text – for body text
  • Subtitle – for secondary titles
  • Title – for primary titles

Text options shown in Descript's Elements panel

You can also highlight part of your script and use the selection toolbar to add a text layer. Descript adds a new scene and places a text layer that matches your selection.

Adding a text layer using the selection toolbar

Customize fonts, color, and layout

Select a text layer in the scene editor or Timeline. Use the toolbar or Layer panel to adjust:

  • Font, size, alignment, and color
  • Positioning and layout settings
  • Layer duration and placement across scenes

Layer panel open showing text style controls

Use live text to auto-fill layers

In the Layer panel, choose a live text option to replace freeform text with dynamic content:

  • Speaker: Displays the active speaker’s name from the script
  • Composition name: Displays the name of the project
  • Marker: Displays the most recent marker
  • Timer: Counts up/down from the beginning, end, or last marker

Dropdown menu showing live text options for a layer

Add a background to text

Enhance readability or emphasize key messages by adding a background to your text layer. Options include:

  • Bounding box: Resize the text area manually in the scene editor. Toggle between fixed and auto sizing under Size and position.
  • Border radius: Soften the corners of the background.
  • Background color: Pick a color for contrast or brand alignment.
  • Hug lines: Wrap the background tightly around each line of text.
  • Box: Display the full text inside a fixed-width background box.

Background box behind a multi-line text element

Add emojis to text

Tip: Emojis follow the same style settings as text. Resize, color, and align them using the Layer panel.