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How to Write Subtitles with DALL-E

DALL-E, the artificial intelligence image generator developed by OpenAI, can be a valuable ally for creating visuals that include impactful subtitles. Whether you want to design YouTube thumbnails, social media visuals, or illustrations with embedded text, DALL-E allows you to generate images where subtitles are directly integrated into the design. In this tutorial, you will learn how to formulate effective prompts to obtain images with readable, aesthetic subtitles tailored to your needs. We will cover best practices for writing, text positioning, and tips to maximize the typographic quality of results generated by DALL-E.

Prerequisites

  • 1.Have an OpenAI account with access to DALL-E (via ChatGPT Plus or the API)
  • 2.Have a clear idea of the message or textual content to integrate as subtitles
  • 3.Know the format and destination platform (YouTube, Instagram, presentation, etc.)

Steps

1

Define the Message and Tone of the Subtitles

Before using DALL-E, precisely write the text of your subtitles. Choose short, impactful sentences suited to your audience. Determine the desired tone: informative, humorous, dramatic, or inspirational. An effective subtitle typically does not exceed 8 to 10 words to remain readable on a visual.

Tip: Note several variants of your subtitle and select the one that conveys the message most clearly in the fewest words.
2

Structure the Prompt for DALL-E with the Embedded Text

Formulate a prompt that describes both the desired image and the text to display. Specify the subtitle position (bottom, centered, in a banner), text color, relative size, and typographic style. Be explicit about each word you want to appear in the image.

Generate an image in 16:9 format showing a clean modern office background. At the bottom of the image, display the following text in white letters on a semi-transparent black banner: "5 tips to boost your productivity". Sans-serif typography, readable and professional.

Tip: Place the exact text in quotes in your prompt to maximize the chances that DALL-E will reproduce it faithfully.
3

Adjust the Visual Style for Readability

The readability of subtitles depends on the contrast between the text and the background. Ask DALL-E to add a contrasting background behind the text: opaque banner, drop shadow, or gradient. Also specify the text size relative to the overall image to ensure comfortable reading even on small screens.

Create a video thumbnail with a night cityscape in the background. At the bottom, a gradient banner from transparent black to solid black. On this banner, the text "How to Succeed as a Freelancer" in bold white font with a slight drop shadow. Cinematic style.

Tip: White text on dark backgrounds or black text on light backgrounds always provide the best contrast and readability.
4

Iterate and Refine the Results

DALL-E may sometimes misspell or distort the text. Carefully examine each generation and rerun the prompt adjusting instructions if the text is not correct. You can also use the edit function (inpainting) to correct a specific area of the image where the text is poorly rendered, again specifying the desired text.

Modify only the text area at the bottom of the image. Replace with the exact text: "The 3 mistakes to avoid" in white uppercase letters, thick sans-serif font, well centered on the black banner.

Tip: Generate at least 3 to 4 variants for each subtitle to select the one where the text is most faithful and aesthetic.
5

Export and Finalize the Subtitles

Once satisfied with the result, download the image in high resolution. If the text generated by DALL-E still has minor imperfections, use a retouching tool like Canva or Photoshop to correct the last typographic details. You can also use the image generated by DALL-E as a background and overlay your subtitles with an editing tool for a perfect result.

Tip: For a guaranteed professional result, use DALL-E for the background visual and add the final text with a dedicated editor — combining AI creativity and typographic precision.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • ✗Writing subtitles that are too long in the prompt, making the text illegible or truncated on the generated image
  • ✗Not specifying sufficient contrast between the text and the background, making subtitles hard to read
  • ✗Expecting DALL-E to perfectly reproduce every word without checking and iterating on the results

FAQ

Can DALL-E write text without spelling mistakes?
DALL-E has significantly improved in rendering text, but errors are still possible, especially for long words or complex sentences. Always check the generated text and use the edit function or an external tool to correct if necessary.
What maximum length do you recommend for a subtitle on a DALL-E image?
Limit yourself to a maximum of 6-10 words for a subtitle. Beyond that, the text risks being too small, poorly arranged, or containing errors. If your message is longer, break it up across multiple lines by specifying this in the prompt.
Can I choose the font used by DALL-E?
You cannot specify an exact font (like Arial or Montserrat), but you can describe the desired style: sans-serif, serif, handwritten, bold, thin, modern, vintage. DALL-E will interpret these descriptions to visually match them.

Related tutorials

How to Create YouTube Thumbnails with DALL-EHow to Generate Social Media Visuals with DALL-EHow to Write Subtitles with ChatGPT

How to use this prompt

  1. Copy the prompt with the button above.
  2. Paste it into ChatGPT, Claude or your favorite AI assistant.
  3. Replace the bracketed variables with your details, then refine the result.

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