# Why the NotchStar teleprompter text fades at the edges

> The NotchStar teleprompter fades text at the top and bottom of its window so the line you are reading stays the clearest. It cannot be turned off.

Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-fading-edges/
Last updated: 2026-11-04

Published 2026-11-04.

The NotchStar teleprompter fades its text at the top and bottom of the reading window. Lines you have already read fade out above, lines coming up fade in from below, and the middle stays fully clear. That is where your eyes should be, close to the camera.

## How it works

The script sits in a window about 112 points tall. A soft mask makes roughly the top and bottom fifth of the window fade to nothing. When you press play, the text starts at the middle of the window and scrolls upward through it.

## Why it helps

- You are not tempted to re read the line you have just said.
- The next line is visible but dim, so you can see it coming without being pulled ahead.
- Your gaze stays in one band, which keeps it near the lens.

## What you can change

- **Text size.** The slider on the right sets the type from small to large. A larger size means fewer lines in the clear band.
- **Speed.** The slider with the tortoise and hare sets how quickly lines cross the band. See [speed and size](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-speed-and-size-mac/).

## What you cannot change

The fade is fixed. There is no setting to turn it off, change its depth or make the window taller. The text is centred and set in a semibold weight. While you edit, the fade is off, because the script shows as a plain text box.

The tool is described on the [Teleprompter feature page](https://www.notchstar.com/features/teleprompter/). To start reading, follow [how to use the notch teleprompter](https://www.notchstar.com/help/use-notch-teleprompter/).

## Keep reading.

- [A teleprompter right under your camera](https://www.notchstar.com/features/teleprompter/): Read a scrolling script right beside your Mac's camera. Adjustable speed and text size, fading edges, and an edit mode for your script.
- [How to change teleprompter speed and text size in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-speed-and-size-mac/): Two sliders beside the play button set scroll speed and text size in the NotchStar teleprompter. Both are remembered the next time you open it.
- [How to use the teleprompter in the Mac notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/use-notch-teleprompter/): Open Teleprompter in the notch, press the pencil, paste your script, tick to confirm and press play. Two sliders set speed and text size.
- [Using a teleprompter on your Mac for calls and video](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/teleprompter-on-mac/): How to read a script on camera without looking like you are reading: placement, pacing, writing for the ear and a notch based setup.

## More in Teleprompter.

- [How to use the teleprompter in the Mac notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/use-notch-teleprompter/): Open Teleprompter in the notch, press the pencil, paste your script, tick to confirm and press play. Two sliders set speed and text size.
- [Where to put a teleprompter near your MacBook camera](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-near-camera-macbook/): On a notched MacBook the camera sits in the notch, so NotchStar's script sits right beside the lens. Tips for pinning it and sitting at the right distance.
- [Does the NotchStar teleprompter follow your voice](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-that-listens-mac/): No. The NotchStar teleprompter scrolls at a speed you set and never listens to your voice. Here is how to match the pace by hand.
- [Is the NotchStar teleprompter hidden from screen recording](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-screen-recording-mac/): NotchStar does not hide its teleprompter from screen sharing or recording. It is a normal window area, so share a window or check a test first.
- [Using the NotchStar teleprompter on a Mac without a notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-mac-without-notch/): On a Mac with no notch, NotchStar shows a floating pill at the top centre of the screen. The teleprompter works the same way there.
- [How to change teleprompter speed and text size in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-speed-and-size-mac/): Two sliders beside the play button set scroll speed and text size in the NotchStar teleprompter. Both are remembered the next time you open it.