How to Add Text in DaVinci Resolve: Your Ultimate Guide to Making Words Pop

Hey, my fellow video editing babes! It’s your girl, back at it with another editing deep dive, this time spilling all the tea on how to add text in DaVinci Resolve. If you’re crafting a YouTube intro, slapping some captions on your travel vlog, or just trying to make your video look like it belongs in a Hollywood trailer, text is your secret weapon. DaVinci Resolve is my go-to for making visuals pop, and its text tools are straight-up fire when you know how to use them. So, grab your fave energy drink (or iced chai, no shade), and let’s dive into this guide to adding text in DaVinci Resolve like a total pro.

Why Text Matters in Video Editing

Okay, let’s be real—text isn’t just words on a screen. It’s how you set the vibe, tell your story, and make your audience feel something. Whether it’s a bold title to kick off your video, subtitles for accessibility, or some snappy lower-thirds to introduce your BFF in your vlog, text can take your edit from basic to iconic. DaVinci Resolve’s Fusion page and Edit page give you all the tools to make your text look sleek, cinematic, or just straight-up aesthetic. I’ve been editing for years, and trust me, once you master text in Resolve, your videos will be serving looks.

Let’s break it down step-by-step, from adding basic text to throwing in some next-level effects that’ll have everyone asking, “How’d you do that?!”

Getting Started: Setting Up Your DaVinci Resolve Project

Before we start making text magic, let’s get your workspace ready. If you’re new to DaVinci Resolve, don’t worry—it’s super user-friendly once you know the flow.

1. Open a New Project: Fire up DaVinci Resolve (I’m using version 19, but these steps work in most recent versions). Hit File > New Project, name it something cute like “Epic Vlog Text Vibes,” and click Create.
2. Import Your Footage: Go to the Media page, click File > Import Media, and grab your video clips. Drag them to the Media Pool so they’re ready to roll.
3. Set Up Your Timeline: Switch to the Edit page, drag your clips from the Media Pool to the timeline, and arrange them in the order you want. This is where we’ll add most of our text, though we’ll dip into the Fusion page for some fancy stuff later.

Now that your project’s set, let’s get to the fun part—adding text!

Adding Basic Text in the Edit Page

DaVinci Resolve makes it stupidly easy to add text on the Edit page. This is perfect for titles, captions, or simple lower-thirds. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go documentation to the Edit Page: Make sure you’re on the Edit page (click the tab at the bottom if you’re not).
2. Open the Effects Library: On the left side, click the Effects tab (it looks like a little magic wand). Scroll to Titles under the Toolbox section.
3. Choose a Text Option: You’ll see options like Text, Text+, and Fusion Title. For basic text, drag the Text title to your timeline, above your video clip. This creates a text clip on a new track.
4. Customize Your Text:
   • Click the text clip in the timeline to select it.
   • Head to the Inspector (top-right panel). Here, you can type your text (like “Welcome to My Vlog!”) in the Text field.
   • Play with settings like Font (Resolve has tons of fonts, like Helvetica or Futura), Size, Color, and Position. Drag the Position X and Position Y sliders to move your text around the screen.
5. Adjust Duration: Drag the edges of the text clip in the timeline to make it shorter or longer, depending on how long you want it to stay on screen.

Boom, you’ve got text! This is great for simple stuff like video titles or end credits. But if you want to make your text extra, keep reading.

Leveling Up with Text+ for Fancy Effects

If you want text that looks like it belongs in a Netflix intro, you need Text+. It’s a bit more advanced but gives you way more control. Here’s how to slay it:

1. Add Text+: In the Effects tab, under Titles, drag Text+ to your timeline, above your video clip.
2. Edit in the Inspector: Select the Text+ clip and open the Inspector. Type your text in the Styled Text box. You can pick fonts, adjust size, and mess with Tracking (letter spacing) or Line Spacing for that perfect look.
3. Style It Up:
   • Color & Fill: Click the Shading tab in the Inspector to change the text color, add gradients, or even a stroke (outline). Want glowing neon text? Crank up the Glow slider.
   • Position & Transform: Use the Transform controls to move, rotate, or scale your text. Click the diamond keyframe icon next to any setting to animate it (more on that later).
   • Drop Shadow: Toggle on Drop Shadow for a 3D effect. Adjust the distance and blur to make it subtle or dramatic.
4. Preview Your Work: Scrub the playhead in the timeline to see how your text looks over your video. Tweak until it’s giving main character energy.

Text+ is your bestie for bold titles, lower-thirds with a vibe, or even animated text for intros. But if you want to go full cinematic, it’s time to take things to the **Fusion **` page.

Getting Wild with Fusion for Text Effects

The Fusion page is where DaVinci Resolve turns into a playground for crazy text effects. Think motion graphics, 3D text, or stuff that looks like it came straight out of a Marvel movie. Here’s how to get started:

1. Create a Fusion Composition:
   • In the Edit page, right-click your Text+ clip in the timeline and select New Fusion Composition.
   • This converts your text clip into a Fusion clip and takes you to the Fusion page.
2. Add a Text Node:
   • In Fusion, you’ll see a node-based interface (it looks like a flowchart). If your text isn’t already there, click Text+ from the toolbar at the top and add it to the node graph.
   • Connect the Text+ node to the Media Out node by dragging the output square to the input square.
3. Customize in Fusion:
   • Select the Text+ node and open the Inspector. Type your text and tweak fonts, size, and color just like in the Edit page.
   • Add effects by dragging nodes like Blur, Glow, or Transform from the toolbar and connecting them to your Text+ node. For example, add a Glow node for a dreamy vibe or a Transform node to animate movement.
4. Animate Your Text:
   • To make your text slide in, zoom, or spin, select the Transform node and keyframe the Position, Scale, or Rotation in the Inspector. Click the diamond icon to set keyframes at different points on the timeline.
   • For example, set a keyframe at frame 0 with the text off-screen (Position X way left), then at frame 30 with the text centered. Fusion will animate it sliding in.
5. Render and Return: Once your text effect looks dope, click Edit at the bottom to go back to the Edit page. Your Fusion clip will now show your fancy text effect in the timeline.

Fusion is a bit of a learning curve, but it’s worth it for those jaw-dropping title sequences or animated captions. Start simple with a glow or slide-in, then go wild once you’re comfy.

Adding Subtitles and Captions

Subtitles are a must for accessibility and engagement, especially if you’re posting on Instagram or TikTok where people watch on mute. Here’s how to add them:

1. Use the Subtitle Tool:
   • In the Edit page, go to the Effects tab, find Titles, and drag Subtitle to your timeline.
   • Select the subtitle clip and type your text in the Inspector. Adjust font, size, and position (usually bottom-center for subs).
2. Time It Right:
   • Drag the edges of the subtitle clip to match the dialogue or action in your video.
   • For multiple subtitles, add a new Subtitle title for each line and time them to appear one after another.
3. Style for Readability:
   • Use a clear font like Arial or Open Sans and a contrasting color (white text with a black outline is classic).
   • Add a Background in the Inspector (under Shading) to make subs pop against busy footage.
4. Auto-Generate Subtitles (Pro Tip):
   • If you’re on Resolve 19, go to the Edit page, click Timeline > Generate Subtitles, and let Resolve transcribe your audio. Tweak the text in the Inspector to fix any errors. This is a lifesaver for long videos!

Subtitles make your content accessible and boost watch time, so don’t skip this step.

My Favorite Text Workflow

Here’s how I approach adding text to a project to keep it efficient and aesthetic:

1. Plan Your Text: Before editing, jot down what text you need—titles, lower-thirds, subtitles, or credits. This keeps you focused.
2. Start Simple: Add basic Text or Text+ clips in the Edit page for quick titles or captions. Style them to match your video’s vibe.
3. Add Animations: Use Text+ or Fusion for animated intros or effects. Keep it subtle unless you’re going for a bold look.
4. Check Accessibility: Make sure subtitles are readable and timed well. Test on a phone screen to mimic how most people watch.
5. Polish and Preview: Play through your timeline to ensure text doesn’t clash with visuals or distract from the story. Adjust fonts or colors if needed.

Common Text Mistakes to Avoid

Even pros mess up, so here’s what to watch out for:

• Cluttered Text: Too much text on screen is overwhelming. Keep it short and sweet.
• Bad Font Choices: Comic Sans in a serious documentary? Hard pass. Stick to clean, modern fonts.
• Poor Timing: Text that appears too fast or lingers too long kills the vibe. Time it to match your video’s pace.
• Ignoring Contrast: White text on a bright background is unreadable. Always use outlines or shadows for clarity.

Exporting Your Text-Enhanced Video

Once your text is serving looks, it’s time to export. Go to the Deliver page, choose your format (H.264 for web, ProRes for high quality), and set your resolution (1080p or 4K, depending on your footage). Hit Add to Render Queue, then Render All. Check platform-specific settings for YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok to keep your text crisp.

Adding text in DaVinci Resolve is like putting the cherry on top of your editing sundae. From simple titles in the Edit page to mind-blowing Fusion effects, Resolve gives you everything you need to make your text pop. Whether you’re slapping on captions for accessibility or crafting a cinematic intro, these tools let you flex your creative muscles. Keep experimenting, play with animations, and don’t be afraid to make your text as bold as your personality.

So, fire up DaVinci Resolve, drop some text on that timeline, and make your videos unforgettable. Got questions or want to share your fave text effects? Hit me up in the comments, and let’s keep the editing vibes high!