How to Add Text to AI Generated Images
A practical workflow for adding readable text overlays to AI images without distorted letters.
Next Best Action
Finish this guide, then continue with another AI Art tutorial to lock in the workflow.
FAQ Highlights
- Why does AI generate bad text?
- What fonts work best for AI image text overlays?
Introduction
AI image generators like Midjourney and DALL-E are notoriously bad at rendering text. Letters often come out garbled, misspelled, or completely unreadable. The workaround is simple: generate the image first, then add the text using a separate design tool.
This guide shows you the fastest way to add clean text to your AI images.
Step 1: Generate an Image With Empty Space for Text
When writing your prompt, include a description of where the text should go. This ensures the AI leaves a clean area for you to overlay your text later.
Try this Prompt:
A minimalist social media banner for a "Morning Coffee" brand. Soft beige background with a large empty space on the right side for text. Clean composition, warm lighting.
Step 2: Use Canva to Add Text (Free Method)
Canva is the easiest free tool for adding text overlays to images.
- Upload your AI-generated image to Canva.
- Click the "Text" button and choose a font style.
- Write your text. Use bold, high-contrast fonts (like Montserrat or Playfair Display) for readability.
- Adjust the text position, size, and color. White text with a dark drop shadow works well on most backgrounds.
- Export as PNG.
Step 3: Try Inpainting for "CGI-Quality" Text
If you need the text to look like it is actually printed on a surface in the image (like a sign or a book cover), use Photoshop or an inpainting tool.
- Use Photoshop's Generative Fill or the "Vary (Region)" feature in Midjourney.
- Draw a mask over the area where the text should go.
- Use a prompt like:
"Clean black bold sans-serif text that says 'COFFEE' centered on the sign." - Run it multiple times until you get readable results.
FAQ
Why does AI generate bad text?
AI image models see images as pixel patterns, not as text. They do not understand spelling or grammar. They guess what letters usually look like in a given context, which often results in gibberish.
What fonts work best for AI image text overlays?
Sans-serif fonts like Montserrat, Roboto, or Inter are easiest to read when overlaid on complex backgrounds. Avoid thin or overly decorative fonts.
Related Tutorials
- /tutorial/how-to-write-better-ai-image-prompts
- /tutorial/need-free-ai-art-generator-no-sign-up