a visual guide to using
Transparent Overlays
There are two sure fire ways to infuse your brand identity into your images to make them more memorable.
1. Adding a headline or call to action using your branded font theme.
2. Applying your branding color palette.
One of the simplest ways to kill both of those birds with one glorious stone is to use a transparent overlay, which is simply a layer of color that lays on top of the background of your image.
Transparent overlays are perfect for social media, website, and print images because they create an even backdrop of color for adding text in a way that’s actually readable, AND they give you a easy way to infuse your brand color palette.
I call that a win, win, baby!
Here are three types of transparent overlays you can sprinkle into your designs that work like gangbusters in terms of recognition and readability.
transparent OVERLAY no. 1
FULL COVERAGE overlay
These are transparent overlays that cover the entire area of the background of your image.
There are 4 types of full coverage overlays that reign supreme:
Here is a side by side of each type, with the color swatches that were used in each directly below.
SINGLE COLOR
2-COLOR RADIAL GRADIENT
2-COLOR LINEAR GRADIENT
3-COLOR LINEAR GRADIENT
Keep in mind that you can also rotate your full coverage overlay to any angle to get the look you want, whether that be horizontal, vertical, or any where in between, in either direction.
Here are a few real world examples from brands who use full coverage transparent overlays in their images.
YOUR CONTENT EMPIRE
leanne wong
by amma rose
259 west
mariah magazine
transparent OVERLAY no. 2
shape overlay
If using a full coverage overlay feels like too much a great alternative is a shape overlay.
A shape overlay really captures the ‘unique factor’ because of the endless ways you can approach it. Let me be blunt, you can still create a look that hasn’t been done 912 times already! 🥳
Between the basic shape you choose and where you position it on your image, there’s always a way to find a style you can make your own.
Here are a few real world examples from brands that have created incredibly unique branded styles in their images using simple shape overlays.
molly ho studio
charuk studios
hello frankie and co.
shaylee smith
ABOUT SOCIAL ANXIETY
transparent OVERLAY no. 3
band overlay
The last type of transparent overlay is a band overlay, which is simply a shape that runs across the entire width of the image.
Band overlays are particularly great for brands who use photography backgrounds in their images, like food, home decor, and beauty-based brands.
The band overlay still provides a place to add text, without obstructing any products, decor, or cuisines you’re featuring.
Here are a few real world examples from brands who use band overlays in their images.
pimp your brilliance
BLOGGING BUTTERFLY
mariah althoff
persuasion revolution
sweet tea and thyme
transparent OVERLAY bonus
mix & match these overlays
Whatever type of transparent overlay you choose, it doesn't have to be a "til' death do we part" kind of thing. If fact, you can mix and match all three types of overlays or bounce back and forth between them as often as you'd like. What matters is that you stick to your brand identity assets — that's what creates the continuity you need to sear yourself into people's memories.
When you stick to the same branding assets you actually have a lot more creative freedom. Crazy, right?
Check out these real world Pinterest accounts from some of the brands you've already seen in this lesson. Notice how much creative license they take and yet still stay true to their brand identity.
SHAYLEE SMITH
HELLO FRANKIE AND CO.
MOLLY HO STUDIO
YOUR CONTENT EMPIRE
by amma rose
YOUR CONTENT EMPIRE
how to get started
using transparent overlays
If you're looking for design inspiration for your branded image templates, check out my Pinterest Pin Design board for a TON more eye candy, ideas, and inspiration for your designs!
If still haven't landed on a font theme, color palette, or brand identity style as a whole, snatch your Branding Bug Out Bag. In it, I outline my entire psychology-backed approach to design, called Identity Stenciling — a three-phase process for identifying where your brand’s state of mind intersects with your buyer’s belief system and developing those intersections into your brand identity suite.
say hello to your
BRANDING bug out bag
Your very own branding survival kit, fully stocked with everything you need to create a handcrafted brand identity that's as original as a fingerprint and addictive as a two for one happy hour, so you have peace of mind knowing that the only buzz you're creating is the kind that's contagious.
