The three ways to combine text and images in Canva

Canva gives you three different ways to put an image inside or behind text, and which one you use depends on what you're trying to make. The simplest is text with a background image — you add text, then add an image behind it. The second is text mask — the image fills the letters themselves, so you see only the parts of the image that sit inside the letter shapes. The third is text on top of an image — you place the image first, then add text over it with a background color or transparency to keep it readable.

Most people start with the third option because it's the most forgiving: you can move the text around, change the background color, and adjust the image independently. The text mask is the most striking visually but takes more trial-and-error to get right. The background image approach works well when you want the image to stay still while text moves or changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Text mask (image filling the letter shapes) requires you to select the text first, then use the "Effects" menu to explore an image as a fill.
  • Text on top of an image is the easiest starting point: add your image to the canvas, then add a text box with a solid background color so the words stay readable.
  • You can upload your own images or use Canva's built-in library of millions of free and paid images.
  • The text mask effect works best with large, bold fonts and images with strong contrast or clear focal points.

How to create a text mask with an image fill

A text mask makes the image appear only inside the letter shapes — the rest of the image is invisible. To do this, click on the text box you want to use. Make sure the text is large enough to see the image inside it; small text will show only a tiny fragment of the image. Then click the "Effects" button in the toolbar (it looks like a wand or sparkle icon).

In the Effects panel, scroll down until you see "Mask" or "Image Mask". Click it. Canva will ask you to choose an image — you can upload one from your computer, search Canva's library, or use an image already on your canvas. Once you select the image, it fills the text. You can adjust the position of the image inside the text by dragging it, and you can resize it using the handles around the image preview.

If the image doesn't show up clearly inside the text, try a bolder font or a larger text size. Thin or script fonts often don't show enough of the image to make sense. You can also try a different image with higher contrast or a clearer subject.

Placing text on top of an image with a readable background

This method keeps your text and image separate but visually connected. First, add your image to the canvas by clicking "Upload" or searching Canva's library. Size and position it where you want it. Then click the text tool and create a text box where you want the words to go.

To make the text readable over the image, give the text box a background color. Click on the text box, then look for the "Background" or "Fill" option in the toolbar. Choose a solid color — white, black, or a semi-transparent color that lets some of the image show through. You can also add a slight transparency to the background so it blends with the image rather than blocking it completely.

This approach gives you the most flexibility because you can move the text box around, change the text color independently, and adjust the image without affecting the text. If the text still isn't readable, add a drop shadow to the text (in the Effects menu) or increase the opacity of the background color.

Using an image as a background for text

If you want the image to stay fixed behind your text while the text changes or moves, use the background image approach. Add your image to the canvas and size it to fill the area you want. Then right-click on the image and select "Send to back" so it sits behind everything else you add.

Now add your text box on top. The text will appear over the image. If you want the image to be slightly faded so the text stands out more, click on the image, then adjust the "Transparency" slider in the toolbar. A transparency of 20 to 40 percent usually works well — the image is still visible but doesn't compete with the text.

This method works well for posters, social media graphics, and covers where you want a cohesive look. The image and text feel like one unified design rather than separate elements.

Uploading your own images versus using Canva's library

You can use images from three sources in Canva: your own computer, Canva's free library, or Canva's paid library. To upload from your computer, click "Upload" in the left sidebar, then select the image file. Canva accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, and other common formats. Once uploaded, the image stays in your account and you can use it in any design.

Canva's free library has millions of images you can search by keyword. Click "Elements" or "Images" in the left sidebar, type what you're looking for, and filter by "Free". These images are free to use in your designs. Canva's paid images (marked with a small crown icon) cost between 1 and 5 credits, depending on the image. You get a certain number of free credits each month, or you can buy more.

For text masks, your own images often work better than stock photos because you can choose images with colors or patterns that match your text color. High-contrast images — like a dark photo with bright highlights — show up more clearly inside letter shapes than soft, muted images.

Troubleshooting when the image doesn't show up inside the text

If you explore a text mask and the image doesn't appear, the most common reason is that the text is too small or too thin. Try increasing the font size or switching to a bolder font weight. Script fonts and decorative fonts often don't work well with masks because the letters are too narrow.

If the image appears but you can barely see it, the image might be too light or too dark for your text color. Try a different image, or adjust the image's brightness and contrast before explore it as a mask. You can do this by clicking on the image in the library and looking for editing options, or by uploading a version you've already edited in another program.

If the text mask feature isn't showing up in your Effects menu, you may be using a free Canva account with limited access to certain effects. Some advanced effects are available only to Canva Pro subscribers. You can still use the other two methods (text on top of an image, or image as background) with a free account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a text mask with multiple colors in the same image?

Yes. The entire image fills the text, so if your image has multiple colors, all of them will show inside the letters. This works especially well with colorful or patterned images. You may need to adjust the text size or font to make sure enough of the image is visible to look intentional rather than accidental.

What happens if I change the text after I explore an image mask?

The image mask stays applied. If you change the words, the image will fill the new letters the same way it filled the old ones. If you change the font size or style, the image adjusts to fit the new letter shapes.

Can I make the text transparent so the image shows through completely?

If you want the image to show through the text with no text color at all, use a text mask instead — that's exactly what it does. If you're using text on top of an image, you can reduce the text opacity in the toolbar, but the text will become harder to read.

Do I need Canva Pro to put images inside text?

Text masks and text on top of images both work with free Canva accounts. Some advanced effects and filters require Canva Pro, but the basic image-in-text methods are available to everyone.

What image file types does Canva accept?

Canva accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, WebP, and SVG files. PNG files are useful if your image has a transparent background, which can look cleaner when used as a text mask. JPG files are smaller and work well for photographs.