Names, titles and graphics viewers can read

Decide where the video will be watched, then ask for strong contrast, plain lettering, enough time to read and a position clear of the edges and the captions. Check a sample on the real screen before the full edit is made.

On-screen text is easy to overlook until the day the video is played. A name that looks fine on an editor’s monitor can be unreadable on a phone or a hall screen, and a title that flashes past is no help to anyone.

What should you decide about on-screen text?

Four things matter most. You can write each one into your brief.

You do not need to know exact numbers. A clear description of the screens and the audience is enough for a good editor to propose settings, which you then approve on a sample.

Which screens will show your video?

List every place the video will be seen. For example, an annual dinner video might play on a hall screen on the night, then on staff phones, then on a company site. The phone is the hardest case for text, so plan for it first.

Also note whether the audience may include older viewers or people with low vision. Larger, plainer text helps them and takes little extra effort. W3C guidance says accessibility should be specified during planning, which is why this belongs in the brief and not in the final review.

How do names, titles and captions work together?

Names and titles usually appear low in the frame when a person starts speaking. Captions also sit low. If both are used, they can overlap or hide each other.

Agree one of these before editing:

1. Move the name graphics higher, to a fixed spot that captions never use.
2. Show the name for a short time, then let captions take over.
3. Use separate caption files that viewers can switch off, as described in burned-in captions or separate caption files.

Also keep text clear of the screen edges. Some televisions and projectors crop the edge of the picture, so ask for text to sit a little inside.

Spelling matters as much as design. Send a checked list of names, honorifics and organisations, in the form you want them written. For mixed Malay and English text, see Malay-English mixed speech in captions.

What we confirm for your event

• Which screens the text is designed for.
• A sample of a name graphic and a caption together, for your approval.
• How long each name stays on screen.
• How long titles and two-language names are shown.
• Who approves spellings, and when.
• Whether graphics and captions are also delivered as separate files, in case something needs fixing later.

The caption and language planner helps you record the language and output choices. For wider planning, read planning accessible event videos from the brief. Tell us the screens and the names that must appear, and we will write the text style and review step into your quote. Captions and subtitles are available on request: see event video captions and subtitles.