
The CSS inset text property is a game-changer for web designers looking to add some extra flair to their text elements. It allows you to draw text into the shape of an element, creating a beautiful and unique visual effect.
This property is particularly useful for creating designs that require a high level of visual hierarchy and balance. By using the inset text property, you can create a sense of depth and dimensionality that would be difficult to achieve with traditional text styling methods.
In the article, we'll explore the various uses of the CSS inset text property in web design, including its application in creating decorative text elements and its potential for enhancing user experience.
Using CSS Inset Text
Use the inset text component to differentiate a block of text from the content that surrounds it.
This is particularly useful for adding emphasis or highlighting important information without overwhelming the user with too much visual noise.
You can use it to set off a quote, a definition, or a key term from the rest of the text.
CSS3 Examples

Let's take a look at some CSS3 examples that showcase the power of inset text.
The CSS3 `text-indent` property can be used to create a nice inset effect, as seen in the example where a paragraph of text is indented 20 pixels from the left.
With the `text-indent` property, you can also specify a negative value to create a hanging indent effect, like in the example where a paragraph of text is indented -20 pixels from the left.
The `margin` property can be used to create a gap between the text and the surrounding elements, as demonstrated in the example where a paragraph of text has a top margin of 10 pixels.
You can also use the `padding` property to create a gap between the text and the surrounding elements, as shown in the example where a paragraph of text has a bottom padding of 10 pixels.
The `box-shadow` property can be used to create a subtle inset effect, as seen in the example where a paragraph of text has a box shadow with a horizontal offset of 10 pixels and a vertical offset of 5 pixels.
Discover more: Text Shadow Tailwind Css
When to Use

Use the inset text component to differentiate a block of text from the content that surrounds it, for example, to highlight a key point or to provide additional information.
This can be especially useful for calling out important details that might otherwise get lost in a long block of text.
In situations where you need to draw attention to a specific piece of information, the inset text component is a great choice.
Understanding CSS Inset Text
You can use the `text-indent` property to create inset text, which moves the first line of text away from the left edge of the element.
The `text-indent` property is a shorthand for `text-indent: 2em 50%`. This means that the first line of text is indented by 2em, and the remaining text is indented by 50% of the element's width.
By using `text-indent`, you can create a clean and modern design by pulling the text away from the edge of the element.
Additional reading: Text Indent Css
Light Background

To create inset text on a light background, you need a background that's light enough to see the dark text on top of it, but not too light. If the background is too light, the text shadow will disappear.
The text-shadow property should be set to a color that's not too harsh, so you can adjust the color to be somewhere in between white and the background color. This will give a nice clean edge for inset text.
You can set the offset for horizontal and vertical to 1px, and the blur value to 0 to get a nice clean edge. This way, it looks like the light is coming from the top left and highlighting the bottom right corner of the text.
A white shadow is used in this example, so make sure the background isn't too light or the text shadow will be invisible.
Check this out: Css for Text Shadow
Understanding the Property
The inset property is a powerful tool in CSS, allowing you to precisely control the position of an element within its containing parent.
It can be used in combination with the "position" property to achieve this level of control.
The inset property can take up to four values, depending on the effect you're looking to achieve.
You can declare the inset property using the syntax "inset: value;".
Take a look at this: Text Position Css
Sources
- https://www.htmlgoodies.com/css/using-css3-to-create-an-inset-text-effect/
- https://unmatchedstyle.com/news/design-details-inset-text-shadows.php
- https://dev.to/hyemiie/how-to-use-of-the-css-inset-property-to-create-styling-effects-3m6i
- https://dhirajkumarsingh.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/cool-inset-text-effect-with-css3-text-shadow/
- https://design-system.service.gov.uk/components/inset-text/
Featured Images: pexels.com