How to add text overlays and branding to your mockups.
A device mockup shows your product. Text tells your story. Add headlines, feature callouts, and branding to your scene — then control every detail from font choice to gradient fill, layer position, and fade animation.
What you'll build
A device mockup with a layered text composition — a gradient headline in front of the device, a subtle subheading behind it, and feature labels with custom fonts and colors.
What you'll use
Add Text button, Text Editor panel (font, weight, color/gradient, stroke, alignment, scale, rotation, opacity, placement), and Text mode for canvas interaction.
Text editing is available on both iPhone and Mac. On Mac, the right inspector switches to Text mode with a full editor. On iPhone, the Text Editor panel slides up from the bottom when you add or select text.
Step 01
Set up your device mockup first.
Start with a completed device mockup — import your screenshot, set the background, and adjust lighting. Text is the last layer of polish, so get the visual foundation right first.
Choose a background that gives text room to breathe. A gradient or mesh background with some negative space works well for text overlays.
Step 02
Add your first headline.
Tap the Add Text button (T icon in the toolbar on Mac, T+ above the canvas on iPhone). A text label appears on the canvas with placeholder text, and the editor opens.
Tap the text directly and type your headline — something benefit-driven that summarizes what the screenshot shows (e.g., "Track Every Expense" or "Design in 3D").
In the Style tab, choose a font family — System for clean modern, Rounded for friendly, Serif for premium, or Monospaced for technical. Adjust the weight (9 options from Ultra Light to Black) and tracking (letter spacing) to match your brand.
Step 03
Style the text with color and stroke.
Go to the Color tab. Choose a solid fill that contrasts with your background, or tap Gradient to create a multi-color text effect — useful for hero headlines that need to stand out.
For extra emphasis, enable Stroke in the Stroke tab. This adds an outline around each letter. Adjust the width and pick a stroke color that complements the fill.
The preview updates in real time, so experiment freely — you can always reset from the Presets tab.
Step 04
Position the text in front or behind the device.
Open the Layout tab (on iPhone) or find the placement controls in the right inspector (on Mac). Here you control where the text sits in the 3D space:
- X / Y — move the text left, right, up, or down on screen
- Scale — make text bigger or smaller (0.2x to 4x)
- Rotation — spin the text from -180° to 180°
- Opacity — fade the text from invisible (0) to solid (1)
- Placement — choose Behind Phone or In Front of Phone. Text behind the device creates depth; text in front works as a clear headline or caption
Step 05
Add supporting text and layer the composition.
Add a second text element — a subheading or feature label. Make it smaller, lighter in weight, and position it below or beside the headline.
Use placement strategically: put the main headline in front and supporting copy behind the device for a sophisticated layered look.
If you are in Animation mode, text can also fade in and out. Select a text element and adjust its opacity at different keyframes — it fades automatically between them.
Export as an image or video. The text becomes a permanent part of the composition, just like the device and background.
Continue
Layer on more polish.
How to create a product reveal video with keyframe animation.
Animate your text — make headlines fade in and callouts appear at specific moments in your timeline.
How to polish your mockup with studio lighting and materials.
Make sure your text is easy to read against any background by dialing in the right lighting.
How to build a multi-device scene with iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.
Label each device in a multi-device scene with feature callouts for a complete marketing asset.
