Add text to screenshots in seconds
Drop labels, titles, captions, or callouts onto any screenshot. Pick your font, size, and color â add a background for readability. Works in your browser or runs locally on Mac & Windows, nothing gets uploaded.
Text styling options
Full control over how your text looks. No compromises.
| Option | Values | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Font family | System fonts (SF Pro, Helvetica, Arial) + installed fonts | Monospace available for code |
| Font size | 8px to 120px | Drag to resize or type exact value |
| Color | Any color via picker or hex input | Eyedropper to match screenshot colors |
| Background | Solid, semi-transparent, or none | Rounded corners with padding |
| Alignment | Left, center, right | Per text element |
| Weight | Regular, medium, semibold, bold | Depends on font availability |
How to add text to a screenshot
Three steps. Faster than opening Figma.
Open your screenshot
Paste with âV or capture directly with the built-in screenshot tool. Drag a file from Finder if you have one saved already. Your screenshot lands on the canvas immediately â no import flow, no waiting for anything to load.
Pro tip: Take a screenshot with ââ§4, then immediately âV into ScreenshotEdits. Clipboard to canvas in under a second.
Add and style your text
Click anywhere on the screenshot to place a text box. Type your label, title, or caption. Then adjust everything â font, size, color, weight, alignment. Need the text to stand out over a complex UI? Toggle on a background with adjustable opacity and corner radius.
Pro tip: Use the eyedropper tool to pick a color directly from your screenshot. Matching the app's color scheme makes your labels look like they belong there.
Export and share
Copy to clipboard with âC or save as PNG/JPEG. The text gets permanently rendered into the image on export â it's not a separate layer in the output file. Paste directly into Slack, email, Notion, or wherever you need it.
Pro tip: Adding text to multiple screenshots? Keep the same font and size across all of them. Consistency makes a set of screenshots look intentional rather than thrown together.
Why add text to screenshots?
A screenshot without context is just a picture. The viewer has to guess what they're supposed to look at. Add a label or caption and suddenly the screenshot tells a story. It's the difference between "here's a screenshot" and "here's exactly what I mean."
Tutorial labels
Walk someone through a UI by putting numbered labels next to each button or field. Way more effective than writing "click the blue button in the top-right corner" in a paragraph nobody reads.
Watermarks
Add your name, company, or URL as a subtle watermark before sharing screenshots publicly. Not foolproof, but it makes people think twice before passing off your work as theirs.
Error callouts
Screenshotting a bug for your dev team? Add a text label that says exactly what's wrong â "This should say 'Save' not 'Svae'" â right next to the problem. No ambiguity, no back-and-forth in Slack.
Social media captions
Add context directly on the screenshot before posting. A title like "Before vs After" or "New feature!" above a product screenshot gets way more engagement than a plain image with context only in the caption.
Text vs annotations â when to use each
Both make screenshots clearer, but they solve different problems. One adds words, the other adds visual cues. Pick the right tool and your screenshots communicate instantly.
Text overlay
- Explains what the viewer is looking at
- Adds titles, labels, step numbers, or captions
- Best for: tutorials, documentation, social posts, watermarks
Annotations
- Points the viewer to a specific area
- Adds arrows, circles, rectangles, and highlights
- Best for: bug reports, feedback, UI reviews, quick callouts
Bottom line: Use text when you need to say something. Use annotations when you need to point at something. And for tutorials or detailed walkthroughs, use both â an arrow pointing at a button with a numbered label next to it leaves zero room for confusion.
Tips for better text overlays
Adding text is easy. Making it look good takes a bit of thought. These four habits keep your screenshots looking sharp.
Contrast is everything
White text on a light screenshot is invisible. Dark text on a dark UI disappears. Always add a semi-transparent background behind your text, or pick a color that contrasts with the area underneath. If you have to squint to read it, so will everyone else.
Pick the right font
Use sans-serif (SF Pro, Helvetica) for labels and captions â they're clean and readable at small sizes. Use monospace for anything code-related. And please, skip the decorative fonts. This is a screenshot, not a wedding invitation.
Position with purpose
Put labels near the thing they describe, not floating in the middle of the screenshot. If you're labeling a button, place the text next to it with a small gap. Readers shouldn't have to play a matching game to figure out what your label refers to.
Use backgrounds for busy images
Screenshots of complex UIs have a lot of visual noise. A solid or semi-transparent rectangle behind your text creates a clean reading surface. It takes two seconds and makes the difference between "professional" and "slapped together."
More than just text
ScreenshotEdits packs 15+ editing tools into one fast app available on web and desktop.
Frequently asked questions
What fonts are available?
ScreenshotEdits uses the system fonts on your Mac â SF Pro, Helvetica, Arial, and any fonts you've installed. You also get monospace options for code labels.
Can I add a background behind text?
Yes. You can place a solid or semi-transparent background behind any text element. This is essential for readability when your text sits on top of a busy screenshot.
Does my screenshot get uploaded anywhere?
No. ScreenshotEdits runs in your browser or locally on your desktop. Your screenshots never leave your computer â no cloud, no servers, no tracking.
What's the difference between text and annotations?
Text adds readable words â labels, titles, captions, callouts. Annotations add visual elements like arrows, circles, and highlights to draw attention to specific areas. Use text when you need to say something, annotations when you need to point at something.
Can I use this for free?
Yes. All features including text overlay are free. The free version adds a small watermark to exports. Free in your browser with 3 exports/day. Desktop app €19 one-time to remove watermark.
Can I edit text after placing it?
Yes. Text elements are fully editable until you export. Click any text to change its content, move it, resize it, or adjust styling. Full undo/redo support with âZ.
Can I add multiple text elements?
Yes, as many as you need. Each text element is independent â different fonts, sizes, colors, and positions. Layer them however makes sense for your screenshot.
Say it on the screenshot
Free to start. Add text to any screenshot in seconds. No account needed.
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