What is Image Overlay/Blend?

Image Overlay/Blend is a browser-based tool that lets you combine two images using professional blend modes. Whether you're creating double exposure effects, adding textures, or mixing photos for creative compositions, this tool gives you full control over how your images interact.

What Are Blend Modes?

Blend modes determine how two layers of images are combined. Each mode uses a different mathematical formula to mix the pixel colors of the base image and the overlay image, producing unique visual effects:

Darken Modes

Multiply, Darken, Color Burn — make images darker by combining shadow areas

Lighten Modes

Screen, Lighten, Color Dodge — make images brighter by combining highlight areas

Contrast Modes

Overlay, Hard Light, Soft Light — increase contrast by affecting both shadows and highlights

Comparative Modes

Difference, Exclusion — create abstract effects by comparing pixel values

Color Modes

Hue, Saturation, Color, Luminosity — transfer specific color properties between images

Your Data Stays Private

All image processing happens entirely in your browser using the Canvas API:

100% Client-Side Processing: Your images are processed locally on your device with zero server interaction.

No uploads — your images never leave your device
No server processing — everything runs locally
No tracking — we don't collect or store any image data

How to Use Image Overlay/Blend

Upload Base Image

Click the upload area or drag and drop your base image. This will be the background layer. Supported formats include PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF, and BMP.

Add Overlay Image

After loading the base image, upload an overlay image using the overlay upload zone in the left panel. This image will be blended on top of the base.

Choose Blend Mode

Select from 16 blend modes organized by category. The canvas updates in real time as you switch between modes, so you can instantly see how each one affects your image.

Adjust Settings

Opacity — control overlay transparency from 0% (invisible) to 100% (fully visible)
Scale — resize the overlay from 10% to 200% of the base image, with quick preset buttons
Position — use the 9-point grid or drag directly on the canvas to place the overlay precisely

Download

Choose your output format (PNG, JPEG, or WebP), adjust quality for JPEG/WebP, and click Download. The output is rendered at the full resolution of your base image.

Features

16 Professional Blend Modes

Access the same blend modes used in professional image editors, organized into intuitive groups:

Normal
Darken
Lighten
Contrast
Comparative
Color modes

Real-Time Preview

Every change you make is reflected on the canvas instantly:

Blend mode switching
Opacity adjustments
Scale modifications
Position changes

Precise Overlay Control

Position your overlay with pixel-level precision:

9-point grid positioning
Direct canvas dragging
Scale from 10% to 200%
Quick-access preset buttons

Swap Layers

Instantly swap the base and overlay images with one click. This lets you quickly see how the blend looks when the layer order is reversed.

Multiple Output Formats

Export your blended image with flexible options:

PNG (lossless)
JPEG (adjustable quality)
WebP (adjustable quality)
Full resolution output

Drag-and-Drop Support

Upload images by dragging and dropping them onto the upload zones. Both the initial upload area and the overlay upload zone support drag-and-drop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What blend mode should I use?

Multiply darkens images and works well for adding shadows or textures. Screen brightens and is great for light effects. Overlay provides a balanced mix of contrast. For creative effects, try Difference or Color modes.

Pro Tip: Experiment with different blend modes to discover unique effects. The real-time preview makes it easy to compare results instantly.

Will the output quality be reduced?

When you download as PNG, there is no quality loss. For JPEG and WebP, you can control the compression quality using the quality slider (10-100%).

PNG: Lossless compression, perfect for graphics with transparency
JPEG: Adjustable quality, smaller file sizes for photos
WebP: Modern format with excellent compression and quality balance

What is the maximum image size supported?

Since all processing happens in your browser, the maximum size depends on your device's available memory. Most modern devices can handle images up to 4000x4000 pixels without issues.

Performance Note: Very large images (above 4000x4000) may cause slower processing or memory issues on older devices.

Can I blend images of different sizes?

Yes. The overlay image is automatically scaled relative to the base image. You can further adjust the overlay size using the scale slider (10-200%) and position it anywhere on the canvas.

The tool intelligently handles aspect ratios, ensuring your overlay maintains its proportions while scaling.

What happens to the output resolution?

The downloaded image always matches the resolution of your base image, regardless of the preview size shown on screen.

Full Resolution Output: Your final image maintains 100% of the original base image resolution for professional-quality results.

Are my images uploaded to a server?

No. All processing is done locally in your browser using the Canvas API. Your images never leave your device.

Zero server uploads
Complete privacy protection
No data collection or tracking
Works offline after initial page load