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The Text Style panel controls every aspect of how your lyrics look on screen — from the font and size to the color of each word as it is sung.

Opening the Text Style panel

In the Studio, expand the Text Style panel in the sidebar. The video preview updates in real time as you make changes.

Font family

1

Open the font picker

Click the font name field to open the font browser.
2

Browse or search

Switch between Popular (commonly used fonts), All Fonts (the full library), or use the Search field to find a font by name.
3

Apply

Click any font name to apply it immediately.

Font size

Drag the font size slider to make lyrics larger or smaller. Watch the video preview to judge the right size for your layout and background.

Text colors

Lyrics appear in two states, and you can set a distinct color for each:

Active text

The line currently being sung. Set:
  • Fill color — The main color of the text.
  • Outline color — The border around each letter.

Inactive text

Lines that are coming up or have already passed. Set:
  • Fill color — The main color for unsung text.
  • Outline color — The border around inactive letters.
Use a bright, saturated color for active text and a lighter or more muted version of the same color for inactive text. This makes it clear which line is being sung without the inactive lines disappearing into the background.

Outline

Outlines keep text legible on any background by separating letters from whatever is behind them.
  1. Enable the Outline toggle.
  2. Click the color swatch to choose an outline color.
  3. Adjust Outline Thickness with the slider.
Use a thicker outline on busy or video backgrounds. A thin outline is sufficient on solid dark backgrounds.

Shadow

Shadows add depth and can improve readability without the hard edge of an outline.
  1. Enable the Shadow toggle.
  2. Choose a shadow color (black or a dark version of your background color works well).
  3. Adjust the Blur and Offset sliders to control softness and direction.

Text effects

Choose how the karaoke highlighting is animated:
EffectDescription
KaraokeClassic progressive fill — each word fills with the active color as it is sung, syllable by syllable.
HighlightThe entire active line changes color when it begins. Individual words do not animate.
NoneNo highlighting animation. All text displays in the active color while that line is on screen.

Letter spacing

Use the letter spacing control to spread letters further apart or bring them closer together. Increase spacing for stylistic headers or large-format displays; decrease it if lyrics feel too spread out for your font size.

Text case

Transform the displayed case of all lyrics without editing the underlying text:
OptionResult
As WrittenOriginal capitalization from the lyrics
UPPERCASEAll capital letters
lowercaseAll lowercase letters
Capitalize Each WordFirst letter of every word is capitalized

Text direction

For right-to-left languages:
  • Auto — Youka detects the language from the lyrics and sets direction automatically.
  • LTR — Forces left-to-right layout.
  • RTL — Forces right-to-left layout.

Tips for readability

  • White or light yellow active text on a dark background is the most universally readable combination for karaoke.
  • Always enable an outline or shadow when using a light background — text without contrast cues disappears quickly during playback.
  • Preview your text style with the song playing, not just paused. Animated effects look different in motion.