Table of contents
Most tutorials jump straight into software. The decision that shapes the result comes earlier: which kinds of subtitle this video needs. Captions, emphasis text and notes do different jobs, and stacking all three makes the frame noisy.
1. Three Types, Three Jobs
| Type | Job | Position | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caption | Readable with sound off | Lower safe area | Fourteen characters per line, two lines maximum |
| Emphasis | Underline the conclusion | Upper middle or side | One at a time, on screen 1-2 seconds |
| Note | Add context or source | Bottom or corner | One size smaller, lower contrast |
When all three appear, captions give way and emphasis wins. Cluttered videos usually have three things competing in three places, not too many words.
2. Workflow: Text First, Timing Second
Start by turning the script into one line per sentence in a text file. Do not type while listening. Once the text is fixed, import it for automatic segmentation and check the breaks by hand - this typically halves the time.
Break on meaning, not character count. Finish a thought before wrapping. Fast passages can run two or three quick lines; slow passages can hold one line longer.
If the source footage already carries burned-in subtitles, mask that area and rebuild the captions in the safe zone rather than fighting the original timing.
3. Size, Colour and Safe Areas
On a 1080x1920 vertical frame, captions sit between 56 and 72 points with a stroke or a translucent plate so they read on light backgrounds. Keep about ten percent of the frame height clear at the bottom for platform interface elements.
Follow the theme colour rather than changing per line. One or two accent colours are enough; more means no emphasis at all.
4. The Proofread List
Five items: typos, numbers and units, proper nouns, punctuation, and line breaks. Number errors are the most damaging - a unit mistake travels with the video long after publication.
Check brand and product names separately. Build a glossary for company names and model codes, replace in bulk, then confirm by eye.
5. Openings and Subtitles Together
The opening decides whether viewers stay. The answer is not an effect sequence but three seconds that state why this is relevant. Keep opening text under eight characters and offset it from the caption so two texts do not compete.
For explainer content, subtitles carry more weight: define a technical term the first time it appears, or viewers leave mid-sentence.
6. FAQ
What is the fastest workflow?
Auto-transcribe for a first pass, then fix typos and breaks by hand. Typing everything manually is slower at any length.
Should subtitles be burned in?
Burn them in for external distribution so every platform looks the same, and keep a clean version for later language versions.
How long does a three-minute video take?
One to two hours including the proofread. Content with heavy terminology needs more.
See also
- Short video: the full shooting and editing flow
- Delivery checklist for the editing stage
- Structure and pacing for completion rates
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