Burn-In Subtitles: When and How to Use Them

Not all platforms support separate subtitle files. Some video players and social media platforms only display subtitles if they are permanently embedded into the video itself. This is where burn-in subtitles come in. Burn-in subtitles are "hard-coded" into each frame of your video, meaning they appear as part of the image and cannot be turned off or modified by the viewer. Here is when you should use them and how to create them with Subify.

What burn-in subtitles are

Burn-in subtitles are created by overlaying the subtitle text onto the video frames during the rendering process. Unlike soft subtitles, which exist as a separate file that can be toggled on and off, burned-in subtitles become part of the video itself. This means they will appear on every playback device and platform, regardless of whether that platform supports subtitle files. The trade-off is that once burned in, the subtitles cannot be removed or changed without re-rendering the entire video.

When to use burn-in subtitles

Burn-in subtitles are essential when distributing to platforms that do not support separate subtitle files. TikTok and Instagram Stories are the most common examples, as these platforms do not support SRT or other subtitle file uploads for regular video posts. If you are creating content for a broad range of platforms and want to guarantee that subtitles are always visible, burn-in is the safer choice. Burn-in is also useful when you need precise control over subtitle appearance, since you can choose exact fonts, colours, sizes, and positioning that will look identical everywhere.

When to use soft subtitles instead

Soft subtitles, which are separate SRT or ASS files, are better when the platform supports them and you want to give viewers control. YouTube, Vimeo, and LinkedIn all support soft subtitle uploads, allowing viewers to toggle subtitles on or off as needed. Soft subtitles are also better for accessibility, since viewers who do not need subtitles can hide them, and those who do can adjust the appearance through platform settings. If you plan to offer multiple language tracks, soft subtitles are the only practical option.

How to burn in subtitles with Subify

Subify's burn-in feature is available on all paid plans. To use it, upload your video as you normally would and select the burn-in option during processing. You can choose your subtitle format, font, colour, size, position, and background styling before rendering. Once processing is complete, you receive a video file with subtitles permanently embedded in every frame. Download the processed video and upload it to your platform of choice. You will also get the option to download the srt/ass file too, which can be found in your recent transcription window on the dashboard.

Quality considerations for burned-in subtitles

When burning subtitles into your video, certain quality factors become more important. First, make sure your font size is large enough to be readable on small mobile screens, since you cannot rely on viewer-adjustable settings. Second, use high contrast between the subtitle text and the background, and consider adding a semi-transparent background box to ensure readability against any video content. Third, position subtitles away from important visual information such as faces, text overlays, or action. Finally, test your output by playing it back on a phone and on a desktop to verify readability across devices.

Getting started

To create burn-in subtitles, upload your video to Subify and select the burn-in option during processing. Choose your styling preferences and download the processed video with subtitles embedded. The Free plan includes 10 minutes of soft subtitle processing per month, but burn-in requires a paid plan. You can see all plans or start free to try soft subtitles first.