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What Is an Overlay in Squarespace?

Last updated on December 30, 2022 @ 8:32 pm

An overlay is a semi-transparent color that is applied on top of an image. The opacity level can be customized, and an overlay can be applied to any image on a site, including background images.

When adding an image block, there is the option to add an overlay. The color picker will open, and any color can be chosen for the overlay. If no color is selected, the default is black at 50% opacity.

There are three settings for the overlay:

  • Color: Select a color using the color picker.
  • Opacity: Use the slider to adjust the transparency of the overlay. The lower the number, the more transparent it will be.
  • Blend mode: There are 12 blend mode options. This changes how the semi-transparent overlay color interacts with the image underneath it.

Here are some examples of how overlays can be used:

Adding an opaque color on top of a background image can help text become more legible. In this example, black was added as an overlay on top of a background image with low contrast. The text is now much easier to read than it was before.

PRO TIP: Overlays are a Squarespace feature that allows you to add text, images, or videos on top of page content. They can be used to add visual interest to a page, or to display important information. However, if not used carefully, they can also make a page look cluttered and busy. When using overlays, be sure to keep them simple and concise.

In this example, a yellow color was added as an overlay on top of a background image. The yellow helps bring attention to the call-to-action button.

In this example, a gradient was added as an overlay on top of a background image. The gradient helps give the illusion that there is more than one light source in the image.

Conclusion:

Overlays are semi-transparent colors that are applied on top of images in Squarespace. They help improve legibility or give subtlety illusions in images.

Madison Geldart

Madison Geldart

Cloud infrastructure engineer and tech mess solver.