How to Add a Shadow Effect to Text

Adding a shadow effect to text helps your words stand out against backgrounds and improves readability in your Powtoon. This article explains how to apply a shadow effect to a text element in Powtoon Studio.

Before you start

You need an existing Powtoon open in Powtoon Studio with at least one text element on the stage. If you have not yet added text to your slide, add a text box before following the steps below.

How to add a shadow effect to text

To add a shadow effect to text in Powtoon Studio, follow these steps:

Open your Powtoon in Powtoon Studio.
Click the text element on the stage that you want to apply the shadow to. The text toolbar appears at the top of the screen.
In the text toolbar, locate the shadow or text effects option.
► The exact label and position of this control may vary depending on your plan and the version of Powtoon Studio you are using. Look for a shadow icon or a Text Effects panel.
Click the shadow option to enable it. A shadow is applied to the selected text immediately.
Adjust the shadow settings — such as color, opacity, angle, or distance — using the controls that appear after enabling the effect.
Click anywhere outside the text element to deselect it and preview the result on the stage.

Note: Changes are saved automatically as you work in Powtoon Studio.

What happens next

Once you apply a shadow effect to text, the effect is visible on the stage immediately and will appear in your exported Powtoon. You can return to the text element at any time to adjust or remove the shadow by selecting the text and toggling the shadow option off.

Note: The availability of specific text effect controls, including shadow customization options such as angle and distance, may depend on your subscription plan. If you do not see these controls, check that your plan includes advanced text formatting features.

Videos

View Transcript

Hey everyone, get ready to learn how to add a shadow effect to your text just like the text you see here. Use this technique to add depth and visual strength to the words in your video. Here's how you do it. Add your text and position the text box on the stage. Looks okay, but see how it's hard to read here? That's where the shadow effect comes in. Let's start by copying the text box. Select the text box, right-click, and copy. Right-click again and paste. Drag the new text box beneath the original one so that it will be easier to work on. This text will be the shadow, so we'll change the color to really make it pop. Now position this shadow text beneath the original text, so it looks like a shadow. Remember to send your shadow text to the back, so the original text sits on top. It's easy. Right-click again and send to back. Let's just make sure the positioning is right. There we go. Last step, but very important. Group the two text boxes together on the timeline so that the two text boxes appear together. Let's hit play scene and have a look. There you have it. Go forth and shadow good people and remember to make it awesome.