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March 22, 2023 By Adam Grover

Pop-On vs. Roll-Up Captions: Which One Should Your Ministry Use?

Pop-On vs. Roll-Up Captions: Make your ministry's content accessible with captions! Choose the right type for your project.

Pop-On vs. Roll-Up Captions: Which One Should Your Ministry Use?

As a ministry, it’s essential to make your content accessible to all members of your audience, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. One way to do this is by adding captions to your videos or audio recordings.

However, not all captions are created equal. There are two main types of captions: pop-on and roll-up captions. In this blog post, we’ll explain the differences between these two types of captions and help you decide which one is right for your ministry.

Pop-On Captions

Pop-on captions, also known as “overlay” captions, appear all at once on the screen and usually remain visible for several seconds before disappearing. They are commonly used for pre-recorded content such as movies, TV shows, and online videos.

Pop-on captions provide easier readability and allow for more precise timing compared to roll-up captions. They provide a visually appealing option that you can style to match your ministry’s branding aesthetics.

Roll-Up Captions

Roll-up captions add new text one line at a time as they roll up the screen, and people commonly refer to them as ‘scrolling’ captions. They are a common choice for live content, such as news broadcasts, sports events, and webinars, because they keep up with the pace of the spoken content.

Which One Should You Use?

The choice between pop-on and roll-up captions depends on the specific needs of your ministry. If you produce pre-recorded videos or audio recordings, pop-on captions work better because they are easier to read and you can time them more precisely. They are also more visually appealing, which can help keep viewers engaged.

If you produce live events or webinars, roll-up captions keep up with the pace of the spoken content more effectively. They are also more space-efficient, which can be useful if you have limited screen real estate.

Both pop-on and roll-up captions have their benefits, and the decision should be based on your ministry’s specific requirements and the accessibility needs of your audience. By adding captions to your content, you can ensure that all members of your audience can enjoy and engage with your ministry’s message. If you’re still on the fence about Pop-On vs. Roll-Up Captions, reach out to us so we may guide you and your ministry.

Adam Grover

Adam Grover is the CEO of CaptionLabs. He brought the company to life in 2005, with the goal of making media more accessible. While Adam is a visionary entrepreneur, he also understands the importance of client partnerships. He’s particularly proud of our client retention rate—which is near 100%. Adam still makes himself available to our customers whenever they call. That one-on-one approach, which we call our “Midwest Attitude” is still what sets us apart.

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