If you've ever browsed video or image edits on social media, you've probably seen creators watermark their content. You'll see their username or logo appear somewhere on the content, which prevents it from being stolen.
There are many unique ways to create a watermark, with one of the most popular ones being the translucent watermark. We're going to tell you what it is, and how to create it with the help of the powerful editing app, Video Star.
What Is a Watermark?
A watermark is an overlay on original digital content. It typically consists of the creator's name or online username, but it can also be a moniker, an abbreviation of the creator's name, or even a logo. Its purpose is to mark your brand.
You can create a watermark with all types of styles and aesthetics. Watermarks can also have varying fonts, sizes, and placements, which all depend on your personal style.
Why Are Watermarks Important?
Watermarks are the key to prevent content theft. All it takes is for someone to save your edit and upload it as their own. This is why it's essential to include a watermark in any original content that you put online.
Sometimes, savvy editors will be able to override your watermark, especially if it's small or hard to spot. They can blur it out and place their own watermark over the blurred area. And if it's near the edge of the frame, they can simply crop it out.
A good rule is to create an obnoxious watermark to make it difficult for thieves to cover. Make it big and place it near the middle of the frame. Or use a color that will stand out.
Watermarks are also a good way to prevent unauthorized distribution of your content. When people see that the work officially belongs to someone, it'll encourage them to leave it alone, especially if you include text like "DON'T REPOST" in your watermark.
What Is a Translucent Watermark and Why Do Editors Prefer It?
A translucent watermark is a type of watermark—and it's the most popular one. While the outline of the text or logo is visible, you can still see through it.
Editors love this style of watermark since it's the least obstructive. Even if you place it in the middle of the frame to make content theft harder, people will still be able to see what's behind it. Not to mention, it simply looks cleaner than solid text or pictures, making the entire composition look more professional and aesthetically pleasing.
How to Create a Translucent Watermark on Video Star
There are several ways to create a translucent watermark on Video Star; we're going to give you a guide for four of them. But before getting started, ensure you have the Video Star app.
Download: Video Star for iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
Note that these tutorials require premium Video Star features. The Pro Subscription gives you access to all of the premium packs.
1. Use the Freaky BG Filter
Using the Freaky BG filter is one of the easiest ways to create a translucent watermark on Video Star. Here's how to do it.
- When you're done with your composition and your clips are merged, open it in Multi-Layer and load your final composition in Layer One.
- Tap Layer Two and select Text.
- In the text window, type the text you want to use as a watermark, and tap on T. Ensure that the Style is set on Solid, and then select a font.
- Go to Color, tap the block in the center to open the color wheel, and customize a dark gray color (you must use this color). Hit Done at the top-right when finished.
Image Gallery (2 Images)
- Back in the Multi-Layer window, open Color at the bottom, and search for the Freaky BG filter. You'll see your text become translucent.
- Edit the watermark in the keyframe editor to get the size and placement you want.
Image Gallery (2 Images)
2. Use the Blend BG Filter
The Blend BG filter isn't commonly used for translucent watermarks, but with the right settings, it produces similar results as Freaky BG.
Follow the first four steps in the Freaky BG Filter method, ensuring the text color is dark gray.
- In the Multi-Layer window, open Color at the bottom, and search for the Blend BG filter. The text will look a little solid and ashy at first.
- Tap on the upwards arrow at the bottom left—these are the types of blends.
- Select the third one in the second row, as illustrated in the screenshot. This will render the text translucent.
- You can further edit the watermark in the keyframe editor to get the size and placement you want.
Image Gallery (2 Images)
3. Create a Shadowy Watermark With Blend BG
This method uses the Blend BG filter again, but a different type of blend. With this technique, the watermark incorporates a shadow effect to help outline the text. You can also create colored watermarks that'll be properly translucent.
- Follow the first three steps in the Freaky BG method.
- When it's time to select a text color, set it to white. Or drag the pointer across the color wheel to select a color of your choice, but keep it at its highest opacity and brightness. You can also create a gradient by opening Type and customizing the Gradient.
- Select Shadow and turn it On. Ensure the pointer is in the middle of the shadow placement box.
- Set the Shadow color to black via the color box at the bottom left.
- Locate the slider on the right and set it to somewhere in the middle—this adjusts the harshness of the shadow. Hit Done.
Image Gallery (2 Images)
- Back in the Multi-Layer window, open the Blend BG filter. Tap the arrow at the bottom left to reveal the types of blends.
- Select the fourth one in the third row as shown in the screenshot. This will make the text translucent, even if it's colored.
- You can further edit the watermark in the keyframe editor to get the size and placement you want.
Image Gallery (2 Images)
4. Create a Translucent Watermark Image
The abovementioned methods focus on text, but they can also be applied to images. So if you want to use a logo as your watermark, don't fret. This can work as long as you make the logo a gray color and place it over a colored background (that's preferably green).
- In the Multi-Layer window, import your final composition in the first layer, and your edited logo in the second.
- Tap on Layer Two again and select Add Mask.
- Select Color at the top and drag the pointer over the background color. Use the blending toggles at the right to adjust the color erasure. Hit Done at the top right.
Image Gallery (2 Images)
- Search for the Freaky BG or Blend BG filters. If you've selected the Blend BG filter, remember to set the blend type to the third one in the second row, the same as with the Blend BG method.
Image Gallery (2 Images)
Create Professional-Looking Translucent Watermarks on Video Star
There are few things as dispiriting as finding your own edit on social media posted by someone else—or even worse, finding your edit with someone else's watermark. Now that you know how to create a non-distracting, translucent watermark, there's no excuse not to include it in your edit and make it easy to spot.
Don't forget that there's no need to recreate your watermark every time you finish an edit. Once you're happy with how it looks, export it as a QR code. This way, you can endlessly use the same watermark settings.
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