A Guide to Perfecting Background Overlays in Elementor: Enhancing Web Design Hierarchy and Readability

background overlayBy applying a semi-transparent overlay on top of a background image or color, designers can subtly enhance the visual impact of a page, ensure readability of the content, and create a sense of hierarchy.Elementor, a WordPress visual editor, offers a rich set of background overlays, making it easy for users to add contrast to a web page's sections or elements.

In this article, we will explore in detail all aspects of how to use background overlays in Elementor, from basic operations to advanced techniques, and give examples of how these techniques can be applied in different contexts to improve the design of web pages.

Setting up the page structure

Access to the Elementor Editor: First, make sure you are logged into your WordPress dashboard. Next, navigate to the page you want to edit or create a new page. On the page editing screen, click "Using Elementor Editors" button to enter Elementor's visual editor.

2. Prepare the structure of the page: Upon entering the Elementor editor, you will see the content layout of the current page. If the page does not already have a section structure, you will see a prompt asking you to add a new section. IfThe page already has content, which can be modified from the current layout.

3. Preparing to use widgets: In the left panel of the editor, you can select theVarious widgets such as text boxes, buttons, images, etc.. Make sure you have a plan for the section you are about to edit or create in order to choose the right widgets and layouts.

Applying a background overlay in Elementor

1. Adding background overlays to sections

Adding or editing elements
First, a new element needs to be added or an existing element needs to be edited. In the Elementor editor, you can add a new element or edit an existing one by clicking on the "+" button to add a newelemental, or choose to haveremainelements for editing.

Access settings
Select the background overlay you wish to applySection,Inner Section maybe WidgetsYou can find it on the left sidebar at "type" tab, and next we'll go to the specificBackground settingsThe

Setting the background image or color
In "type"In the tab, you will see "contexts"Options. Find "Background type"

There are 2 main types of backgrounds here:"scriptures"and"gradual change".

• scriptures: For single color or static background images. When this option is selected, you can upload a background image from the media library or select a background color directly.

• gradual change:: Want the background to showColor gradient effect, then you can select Gradient as the background type. In this option, you can select the two colors of the gradient as well as their angle and transition.

Adding a background overlay
In the same "type"Under the tab, you will find "background covering" option. When this option is turned on, the current background can beAdd an overlayThe

By selecting an override color andAdjust Opacity SliderYou can control the transparency of the overlay. In this way, the background image remains visible, but is colorized, adding visual hierarchy and ensuring readability of the foreground content.

give an example: Let's say you have a beach scene in the backgroundHero section, applying a dark blue overlay reduces the visual impact of the image, making the white text above stand out and be clearer.

2. Overlaying backgrounds onto specific elements

In addition to entire sections, Elementor also allows you to apply background overlays to specific individual elements or widgets, such as theButtons, text blocks or images. This flexibility allows you to add visual effects to a localized design without compromising the overall design style of the page.

Selecting a specific element
Select the widget you want to manipulate on the page, such as a button or an image block. After clicking on the element, the "type"The tab can be found in the corresponding "background covering" setting (provided that theelemental(Support background overlay function).

Setting the background overlay
Similar to adding an overlay to a section, the color and transparency of the overlay can be selected here. By adjusting the opacity, you can ensure that the overlay does not obscure the content of the element, while enhancing the visual effect.

give an example: In a system with acall-to-action clauseApplying a gradient overlay on a button can make the button more visible on the page, grabbing the user's attention and prompting a click.

Best Practices for Using Background Overlays

1. Maintaining subtle enhancements
The purpose of a background overlay is to enhance rather than overwhelm, so keep the overlay subtle. An overly strong overlay may overpower the original design or image, making the page look heavy and cumbersome. Ensure that the overlay complements, rather than clashes with, the background content.

2. Ensuring contrast and readability
A common misconception is to focus too much on design effects at the expense of readability. No matter how eye-catching the background design is, the most important thing remains to ensure that the foreground text or icon is clearly visible. To do this, rationalize the opacity of the background overlay so that the foreground content has sufficient contrast with the background.

3. Maintaining design consistency
The style of the background overlay should be consistent throughout the website design. Not only does this help create a unified visual experience, but it also enhances the overall user experience. Whether it's a gradient overlay, solid color overlay, or any other effect, it should follow the main color and design language of the website.

Advanced Techniques for Enhancing Background Overlays

1. Gradient overlay effect

In addition to single-color overlays, gradient overlays can add richer layers and movement to a page. By selecting two or more colors and adjusting their gradient angles and gradient ratios, you can create a visually appealing effect.
typical example: A gradient overlay that goes from a lighter color with higher transparency to a darker color with lower transparency can help direct the user's eye to focus on a specific part of the page.

2. Animation and interactivity
Elementor supports the use ofmovement effector custom CSS animations to add interactivity to the background overlay. For example, you can set the color or opacity of the background overlay to change on mouse hover to give your users a more engaging experience.

typical example: In an image library, set the background overlay to fade from light to dark when the user hovers over an image, highlighting the details of that image while the rest of the image remains static.

3. Layering effects
To create more complex visual effects, try stacking multiple overlays. With different combinations of color and transparency, you can create a unique visual experience.
typical example: Setting up a page with a gradient background overlay and then overlaying a translucent grid pattern on top of it can add a techy and modern feel to a page.

reach a verdict

The background overlay feature in Elementor provides designers with a powerful and flexible tool to make page designs more layered, contrasted and readable. Whether you add overlays to entire sections or individual elements, this is a great way to achieve a more visually balanced design while enhancing the user's browsing experience. After mastering the basic overlay settings, you can also use advanced techniques such as gradients, animations, and layering to bring more possibilities to website design.