How to Draw on a Video: A Complete Guide for Creative Teams

Why Drawing on Video Matters More Than Ever

Drawing directly on video has become a core capability for modern creative teams. Whether you’re reviewing edits, giving frame-accurate feedback, storyboarding ideas, or marking up visual changes, the ability to annotate video visually saves time, removes ambiguity, and reduces endless revision cycles.

Instead of writing long comments like “the logo here feels off”, teams can now draw arrows, circles, highlights, and notes directly on the frame—making feedback instantly clear and actionable.

This guide explains:

• What “drawing on a video” really means today

• When and why creative teams need it

• Different ways to draw on video (and their limitations)

• How to draw on video the right way using a Video Collaboration & Review Platform like Kreatli

What Does “Drawing on a Video” Actually Mean?

Drawing on a video refers to adding visual markup on top of video frames, such as:

• Freehand drawings

• Arrows and lines

• Circles and highlights

• Text callouts or notes

In professional workflows, these drawings are usually:

• Frame-specific or time-coded

• Shared with teammates or clients

• Used for feedback, approvals, or revisions

• Stored alongside versions of the video

This is very different from “burning” drawings into the video permanently (e.g. in an editor like After Effects). Most teams want non-destructive annotations for collaboration and review.

Common Use Cases for Drawing on Video

Drawing on video is used across many creative workflows:

1. Video Review & Feedback

Editors, producers, and clients draw directly on frames to point out:

• Framing issues

• Motion errors

• Text placement

• Color or lighting problems

Related: How to Annotate Video: A Complete Guide for Creative Teams

2. Animation & Motion Design

Animation studios use drawings to:

• Adjust character poses

• Fix transitions

• Highlight timing issues frame-by-frame

Related: Kreatli for Animation Studios

3. Marketing & Social Video

Marketing teams draw safe zones, CTA placements, or overlay guidance for:

• Instagram Reels

• TikTok

• YouTube Shorts

Related: Safe Zone Guide

Ways to Draw on a Video (and Their Limitations)

Method 1: Drawing Inside Video Editing Software

Tools like Premiere Pro or After Effects allow drawing, but:

• Drawings are permanent

• Not collaborative

• Not suitable for feedback or approvals

Best for final creative effects, not review.

Method 2: Screenshot → Draw → Send

A common workaround:

1. Pause the video

2. Take a screenshot

3. Draw in another tool

4. Send via email or chat

Which results in:

Loses context
Not time-coded
Easy to misinterpret

Method 3: Online Video Annotation Tools (Best Practice)

Modern creative teams use Video Collaboration & Review Platforms that support:

• Frame-accurate drawing

• Time-stamped comments

• Shared feedback threads

• Version tracking

This is where Kreatli stands out.

How to Draw on a Video Using Kreatli (Step-by-Step)

Kreatli is a Video Collaboration & Review Platform that combines video annotation with project orchestration, giving teams an end-to-end production workflow in one place.

Step 1: Upload or Share Your Video

Upload your video file or share it via a secure link.

Step 2: Open the Video Annotation Mode

Play the video and pause on the exact frame where feedback is needed.

Step 3: Draw Directly on the Frame

Use drawing tools to:

• Draw arrows or circles

• Highlight areas

• Sketch changes visually

All drawings are frame-specific and non-destructive.

Step 4: Add Context with Comments

Attach written comments to your drawings so collaborators understand:

• What needs to change

• Why it matters

• Who is responsible

Related: Video Annotation Feature

Step 5: Collaborate, Resolve, and Track Changes

Teammates can:

• Reply to annotations

• Resolve comments

• Upload new versions

Kreatli keeps everything organized across versions and projects.

Related: Creative Production Management

Free Tools for Video Teams

If you’re working with video regularly, Kreatli also offers free tools that support your workflow before and after annotation:

• Social Media Safe Zone Checker – Ensure drawings, captions, and CTAs stay visible

• Video Frame Extractor – Pull still frames for thumbnails or review

• YouTube Banner Resizer – Resize your YouTube channel banner in the perfect dimensions

Why Drawing on Video Works Better Than Written Feedback

Drawing on video:

• Removes interpretation errors

• Speeds up approvals

• Reduces revision cycles

• Keeps feedback contextual and visual

For remote and async teams, it’s often the difference between chaos and clarity.

Related: Asynchronous Collaboration Tools

Drawing on Video vs Video Annotation (What’s the Difference?)

• Drawing on video = visual markup (arrows, sketches, highlights)

• Video annotation = drawings + comments + timestamps + collaboration

Kreatli combines both, plus project orchestration, so feedback doesn’t live in isolation.

Who Should Be Drawing on Video?

• Video production companies

• Animation studios

• Advertising & marketing agencies

• In-house creative and content teams

Related: Production Platform for Creative Teams

Final Thoughts

If you’re still relying on screenshots, emails, or vague comments, drawing directly on video is one of the fastest workflow upgrades you can make.

With a Video Collaboration & Review Platform like Kreatli, teams can:

• Draw on videos frame-by-frame

• Collaborate asynchronously

• Track feedback across versions

• Manage production end-to-end in one place

FAQ: Drawing on Video

Can I draw on a video without editing it?

Yes. Tools like Kreatli allow non-destructive drawings that don’t alter the original file.

Is drawing on video useful for clients?

Absolutely. Visual feedback is easier for non-technical stakeholders to understand.

Can multiple people draw on the same video?

Yes. Kreatli supports collaborative, time-coded annotations from multiple reviewers.

Do I need special software to draw on video?

No. Online video annotation platforms work directly in the browser.