Guide · Updated September 29, 2026

How to make breaking news graphics, lower thirds and documentary titles

Create broadcast-style breaking news banners, tickers, lower thirds, quote cards, locator maps and cinematic documentary titles for YouTube and social.

News-style graphics make commentary, explainers and video essays feel authoritative. They are simple shapes and type, timed well. Here is what to use and when.

News graphics

Breaking news: Breaking news package for a full-screen open, Breaking news strip for a quick banner.
Headlines: News headline card, Spinning newspaper for a printed-paper look, and News ticker for a scrolling line.
On-screen branding: LIVE bug for a LIVE tag with a clock.
Quotes and claims: News quote with photo, Pull quote with marker and Fact check.
Numbers: Results board for election-style results and News by the numbers for one headline stat.
Where it happened: News locator map, a locator map with the country highlighted.

Documentary and video essay graphics

Open with Documentary title, name speakers with Documentary lower third, split the film into parts with Documentary chapter card, and show old photos with Archive photo or History filmstrip. For interviews, Interview split screen puts two people side by side.

Explainers and education

Definition card, Key facts, Explainer steps, Process flow, Formula reveal, Flashcard flip and Quiz with answer reveal cover most teaching moments.

Everything lives in news & docs.

Good practice

Keep lower thirds to a name and one short line.
Leave a graphic on screen long enough to read twice: about 4 seconds for a headline.
Use one accent color throughout, often red for news and a muted gold for documentaries.
Only show real quotes and sources, and label opinion as opinion.

Questions people ask

Are these branded like a real TV network?

No. They are original designs with no network names or logos. Add your own channel name.

Can I put them over my footage?

Yes. Many start transparent; export a MOV or WebM and place it on top of your clip.

Try it now. 250 templates run free in your browser, with no signup. Browse templates

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