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Watch the tutorial
What you need
- A recent version of Premiere Pro (2026 or newer) with the Object Mask tool in the toolbar.
- A clip where the subject is clearly separated from the background. Good lighting and contrast give the cleanest mask.
Step 1: Select your subject with the Object Mask tool
Select your clip in the timeline, then pick the Object Mask tool in the toolbar. Click the person or object you want the text to go behind in the Program Monitor. Premiere Pro highlights the subject and creates a mask for it automatically.
Step 2: Assign the mask to Opacity
Open the Effect Controls panel. Your new mask appears in the Unassigned Masks section at the top.
Drag the object mask down onto the Opacity section. The background disappears and only your subject stays visible.
Step 3: Track the mask
If your subject moves, the mask needs to follow it. Under the object mask, click the Track forward and back button. Premiere Pro tracks the subject through the whole clip.
Step 4: Duplicate the clip to bring the background back
Move the masked clip up two tracks. Then hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) and drag it back down two tracks to make a copy. Select the bottom copy, and in Effect Controls delete its object mask so the full background shows again.
Step 5: Add your text between the two layers
Use the Type tool to add your text and style it however you like. Big, bold fonts work best. Finally, drag the text clip onto the empty track between the two video layers. The full background sits underneath, your text in the middle and the masked subject on top, so the subject now appears in front of the words.
Tips for a better result
- Overlap the subject partly. The effect reads best when part of a letter is hidden behind the head or shoulders.
- Check the edges. Scrub through the clip. If the mask slips on a few frames, adjust it there and track again.
- Animate the text. A smooth slide or bounce makes the reveal feel finished. The Ultimate Text Preset Pack has 200+ drag-and-drop text animations, and EaseFlow adds real easing curves to your own keyframes.
FAQ
Do I need After Effects to put text behind a person?
No. With the Object Mask tool in Premiere Pro 2026 or newer, you can do the whole effect inside Premiere Pro.
Why does part of my subject disappear?
The mask missed that area. Click the subject again with the Object Mask tool to refine the selection, then track the mask again.
Can I use this on a moving subject?
Yes. Use Track forward and back so the mask follows the subject through the clip.
Next, try the same technique for a text outline effect or a blurred background.
