How to Overlay a Logo or Image on a Video — Free, No Video Editor
- An image overlay means placing a PNG (usually a logo) on top of a video so it appears in every frame.
- You can do this without video editing software — a browser tool handles upload, positioning, and export.
- PNG with transparent background gives the cleanest result: no visible box around the logo.
- Free, no upload to any server, output as MP4.
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When someone says "overlay a logo on a video," they mean adding a persistent image — usually a brand logo in a corner — that appears throughout the entire clip. Video editors like Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve do this with a dedicated overlay track, but the setup takes longer than the task deserves. A browser-based approach gets you the same result in under two minutes: upload your video, upload your PNG logo, pick a corner, and download the overlaid MP4.
What "Overlay" Actually Means in Video
An overlay is any element that appears on top of the main video content. There are three common types:
- Image overlay — A PNG, JPEG, or SVG image placed at a specific position in the frame. This is what a logo watermark is.
- Text overlay — Text rendered on top of the video. Subtitles, lower thirds, and captions are all text overlays.
- Video overlay — A secondary video clip composited into a specific region. Picture-in-picture (webcam bubble on a screen recording) is a video overlay.
The watermark tool on this page handles image overlays — placing a PNG or JPEG image at a fixed position for the duration of the video. For text overlays, see the Video Annotator. For picture-in-picture video overlays, see the PiP Video Maker.
Why PNG Transparency Matters for Logo Overlays
A JPEG image does not support transparency. If you upload a JPEG logo, the tool will overlay the entire image including its background — you will see a solid white (or colored) rectangle behind the logo shape on every frame.
A PNG with a transparent background shows only the logo pixels. The video behind the logo stays visible. This is how professional-looking watermarks work.
Most logos from designers come in PNG format. If yours does not:
- Open Canva, select your logo, click Download → PNG → enable Transparent Background
- Use the AI Background Remover to extract the logo shape from a JPEG automatically
- Ask your designer for the PNG version — it should exist alongside the JPEG in any professional logo delivery package
Step-by-Step: Overlay Your Logo on a Video
Step 1 — Go to the watermark video tool.
Step 2 — Upload your video (MP4, MOV, WebM, AVI, or MKV).
Step 3 — Upload your logo as a PNG file with transparent background.
Step 4 — Select a position. For most branding use cases, corner positions (top-left, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-right) are standard. A centered overlay is typically used for documentary-style or legal document overlays.
Step 5 — Adjust opacity. 70-80% opacity works for most logo overlays. Lower opacity (30-50%) creates a semi-transparent ghost watermark used for copyright protection on stock footage.
Step 6 — Click Apply. Processing runs in the browser — no upload.
Step 7 — Download the finished MP4 with the logo permanently overlaid on every frame.
Common Use Cases for Image Overlays on Video
Brand watermarking — Adding a company logo to every video for consistent brand presence across social media, YouTube, and client deliverables.
Photographer and videographer portfolios — Adding a photographer's logo to video samples shared with potential clients prevents uncredited reuse.
Course and tutorial content — Online course creators add their platform or instructor logo to every lesson video.
Social media content — Short-form content with a visible logo ensures brand visibility even when the video is reuploaded or screenshotted by viewers.
Legal and confidential documents on video — Adding "CONFIDENTIAL" as an image overlay (text rendered as PNG) on screen recordings of sensitive material. For a proper text overlay with adjustable text content, see the annotator tool.
Is an Overlay the Same as a Watermark?
Practically yes, but the terms have slightly different connotations.
Watermark — The term originally comes from paper manufacturing, where a semi-transparent mark is pressed into the paper. In video, a watermark typically implies a semi-transparent logo (50-80% opacity) used for copyright or branding purposes.
Overlay — A broader term for any element placed on top of video content. Can refer to logos, text, graphics, or even other video clips. An overlay can be fully opaque or semi-transparent.
In practice, "add a logo overlay" and "add a watermark" describe the same action when the logo is a brand mark placed in a corner of the video. The tool on this page handles both.
Overlay Your Logo on Any Video — Free, No Editor Needed
Upload your video and a transparent PNG logo. Pick a corner. Set opacity. Download a branded MP4. Processing runs entirely in your browser — no upload, no account, no video editing software.
Add Logo to Video FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Can I overlay a logo on a video without video editing software?
Yes. A browser-based tool handles the image overlay without any video editor installed. Upload your video and PNG logo, pick position and opacity, and download the branded MP4.
Can I overlay text instead of an image?
This tool overlays PNG images. For text overlays — titles, lower thirds, annotations — use the Video Annotator tool, which lets you type text directly and position it on the video.
Does the overlay cover the entire video or just specific frames?
The overlay appears on every frame of the entire video from start to finish. For time-ranged overlays that appear only during specific segments, you would need a video editor like DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro.
What is the best position for a logo overlay?
Bottom-right is the most common for branded content and YouTube videos. Top-right avoids the captions area. Center is reserved for documentary or copyright-protection watermarks. Avoid bottom-center on videos that will be posted on TikTok, as TikTok overlays UI elements in that area.
