diff --git a/app/api/fonts/[key]/route.ts b/app/api/fonts/[key]/route.ts
index 3ad57fc..a13fcfa 100644
--- a/app/api/fonts/[key]/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/fonts/[key]/route.ts
@@ -1,25 +1,33 @@
 import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
 import fs from "fs/promises";
-import { CURATED_FONTS, isCuratedFontKey } from "@/lib/fonts";
-import { resolveCuratedFontPath } from "@/lib/fonts-server";
+import { CURATED_FONTS, isCuratedFontKey, SYSTEM_FONT } from "@/lib/fonts";
+import { resolveCuratedFontPath, resolveSystemFontPath } from "@/lib/fonts-server";
 
 export async function GET(
   _req: NextRequest,
   { params }: { params: Promise<{ key: string }> },
 ) {
   const { key } = await params;
-  if (!isCuratedFontKey(key)) {
+  const fontPath =
+    key === SYSTEM_FONT.key
+      ? resolveSystemFontPath()
+      : isCuratedFontKey(key)
+        ? resolveCuratedFontPath(key)
+        : null;
+  if (!fontPath) {
     return NextResponse.json({ error: "Unknown font" }, { status: 404 });
   }
 
-  const fontPath = resolveCuratedFontPath(key);
   try {
     const buf = await fs.readFile(fontPath);
-    const meta = CURATED_FONTS.find((f) => f.key === key)!;
+    const fileName =
+      key === SYSTEM_FONT.key
+        ? SYSTEM_FONT.file
+        : CURATED_FONTS.find((f) => f.key === key)!.file;
     return new NextResponse(buf, {
       headers: {
         "Content-Type": "font/ttf",
-        "Content-Disposition": `inline; filename="${meta.file}"`,
+        "Content-Disposition": `inline; filename="${fileName}"`,
         "Cache-Control": "public, max-age=86400, immutable",
       },
     });
diff --git a/app/api/v1/route.ts b/app/api/v1/route.ts
index fcc0786..6a12a6f 100644
--- a/app/api/v1/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/v1/route.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,9 @@
 import { NextResponse } from "next/server";
+import {
+  COMPOSITION_FAMILIES,
+  LAYOUT_TEMPLATE_LABELS,
+  LAYOUT_TEMPLATES,
+} from "@/lib/layout";
 import { API_DOCS_URL } from "@/lib/plans";
 
 export async function GET() {
@@ -17,6 +22,19 @@ export async function GET() {
       batch:
         "POST /api/v1/jobs/batch is for small packs only. Large multipart bodies may fail with 'failed to parse body as FormData'",
     },
+    layoutTemplates: LAYOUT_TEMPLATES.map((id) => ({
+      id,
+      label: LAYOUT_TEMPLATE_LABELS[id],
+    })),
+    compositionFamilies: COMPOSITION_FAMILIES.map((family) => ({
+      id: family.id,
+      label: family.label,
+      defaultTemplate: family.defaultTemplate,
+      variants: family.variants.map((id) => ({
+        id,
+        label: LAYOUT_TEMPLATE_LABELS[id],
+      })),
+    })),
     endpoints: [
       {
         method: "POST",
diff --git a/assets/fonts/Arimo-Bold.ttf b/assets/fonts/Arimo-Bold.ttf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6453fed
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fonts/Arimo-Bold.ttf differ
diff --git a/assets/fonts/Arimo-Regular.ttf b/assets/fonts/Arimo-Regular.ttf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d6b78c1
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fonts/Arimo-Regular.ttf differ
diff --git a/assets/watermark.png b/assets/watermark.png
index 3fc2584..756edc2 100644
Binary files a/assets/watermark.png and b/assets/watermark.png differ
diff --git a/components/LayoutStudio.tsx b/components/LayoutStudio.tsx
index 2e0a286..0082eb4 100644
--- a/components/LayoutStudio.tsx
+++ b/components/LayoutStudio.tsx
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import {
 import { getVideoAttributionText } from "@/lib/branding";
 import {
   CURATED_FONTS,
+  SYSTEM_FONT,
   type CuratedFontKey,
   type WatermarkFontKey,
 } from "@/lib/fonts";
@@ -19,15 +20,18 @@ import {
   BLUR_OPACITY_DEFAULT,
   BLUR_OPACITY_MAX,
   BLUR_OPACITY_MIN,
+  COMPOSITION_FAMILIES,
   DEFAULT_LAYOUT,
   LAYOUT_TEMPLATE_LABELS,
-  LAYOUT_TEMPLATES,
   TEXT_OFFSET_MAX,
   TEXT_OFFSET_MIN,
   TEXT_PADDING_MAX,
   TEXT_PADDING_MIN,
   TITLE_ARTIST_GAP_MAX,
   TITLE_ARTIST_GAP_MIN,
+  compositionFamilyForTemplate,
+  isLowerCornerTemplate,
+  lowerCornerCoverSide,
   type LayoutSettings,
   type LayoutTemplate,
 } from "@/lib/layout";
@@ -54,6 +58,8 @@ import {
 type Props = {
   locked: boolean;
   previewImageUrl: string | null;
+  /** Optional custom blur-fill for lower-corner layouts. */
+  previewBackgroundUrl?: string | null;
   /** On-video song title (art-track layouts). */
   songTitle: string;
   artist: string;
@@ -65,7 +71,10 @@ type Props = {
   onWatermarkChange: (next: WatermarkSettings) => void;
   onUploadLogo: (file: File) => Promise<string>;
   onUploadFont: (file: File) => Promise<string>;
+  onUploadBackground?: (file: File) => Promise<string>;
+  onClearBackground?: () => void;
   logoPreviewUrl?: string | null;
+  hasCustomBackground?: boolean;
 };
 
 const WM_POSITION_LABELS: Record<WatermarkPosition, string> = {
@@ -121,11 +130,13 @@ function watermarkOverlayStyle(
 
 function MiniThumb({
   template,
+  label,
   active,
   onClick,
   disabled,
 }: {
   template: LayoutTemplate | null;
+  label: string;
   active: boolean;
   onClick: () => void;
   disabled: boolean;
@@ -150,20 +161,14 @@ function MiniThumb({
         ) : (
           <div className="relative h-full w-full overflow-hidden bg-gray-700/50">
             <div className="absolute inset-0 scale-110 bg-gray-600/40 blur-[3px]" />
-            {template === "COVER_LEFT_TEXT_RIGHT" && (
+            {(template === "COVER_LEFT_TEXT_RIGHT" ||
+              template === "COVER_RIGHT_TEXT_LEFT") && (
               <>
                 <div className="absolute left-[6%] top-[18%] h-[64%] w-[38%] bg-gray-300" />
                 <div className="absolute right-[8%] top-[38%] h-1 w-[40%] rounded bg-white/80" />
                 <div className="absolute right-[8%] top-[52%] h-0.5 w-[28%] rounded bg-white/50" />
               </>
             )}
-            {template === "COVER_RIGHT_TEXT_LEFT" && (
-              <>
-                <div className="absolute right-[6%] top-[18%] h-[64%] w-[38%] bg-gray-300" />
-                <div className="absolute left-[8%] top-[38%] h-1 w-[40%] rounded bg-white/80" />
-                <div className="absolute left-[8%] top-[52%] h-0.5 w-[28%] rounded bg-white/50" />
-              </>
-            )}
             {template === "COVER_TOP_TEXT_BOTTOM" && (
               <>
                 <div className="absolute left-[8%] top-[6%] h-[52%] w-[84%] bg-gray-300" />
@@ -178,12 +183,18 @@ function MiniThumb({
                 <div className="absolute left-[34%] bottom-[12%] h-0.5 w-[32%] rounded bg-white/50" />
               </>
             )}
+            {(template === "LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT" ||
+              template === "LOWER_RIGHT_COVER_TEXT") && (
+              <>
+                <div className="absolute bottom-[8%] left-[5%] h-[36%] w-[24%] bg-gray-300" />
+                <div className="absolute bottom-[26%] left-[34%] h-1 w-[40%] rounded bg-white/80" />
+                <div className="absolute bottom-[14%] left-[34%] h-0.5 w-[28%] rounded bg-white/50" />
+              </>
+            )}
           </div>
         )}
       </div>
-      <p className="px-2 py-1.5 text-[10px] font-medium text-gray-300">
-        {isClassic ? "Classic letterbox" : LAYOUT_TEMPLATE_LABELS[template]}
-      </p>
+      <p className="px-2 py-1.5 text-[10px] font-medium text-gray-300">{label}</p>
     </button>
   );
 }
@@ -191,8 +202,18 @@ function MiniThumb({
 function previewCoverStyle(
   template: LayoutTemplate,
   padPct: number,
+  textPadding: number,
+  encodeWidth: number,
 ): CSSProperties {
   const p = `${padPct}%`;
+  // Equal pixel inset on both axes (not % — % of width ≠ % of height on 16:9).
+  const cornerEdgePx = scaleFontToPreview(textPadding, encodeWidth);
+  // Assume 16:9 when only width is known; side is usually width-driven for lower corner.
+  const encodeHeight = Math.round((encodeWidth * 9) / 16);
+  const cornerSidePx = scaleFontToPreview(
+    lowerCornerCoverSide(encodeWidth, encodeHeight, textPadding),
+    encodeWidth,
+  );
   switch (template) {
     case "COVER_LEFT_TEXT_RIGHT":
       return {
@@ -234,6 +255,24 @@ function previewCoverStyle(
         maxHeight: "38%",
         objectFit: "contain",
       };
+    case "LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT":
+      return {
+        position: "absolute",
+        left: cornerEdgePx,
+        bottom: cornerEdgePx,
+        width: cornerSidePx,
+        height: cornerSidePx,
+        objectFit: "contain",
+      };
+    case "LOWER_RIGHT_COVER_TEXT":
+      return {
+        position: "absolute",
+        right: cornerEdgePx,
+        bottom: cornerEdgePx,
+        width: cornerSidePx,
+        height: cornerSidePx,
+        objectFit: "contain",
+      };
   }
 }
 
@@ -243,11 +282,20 @@ function previewTextStyle(
   textOffsetX: number,
   textOffsetY: number,
   titleArtistGap: number,
+  textPadding: number,
+  encodeWidth: number,
 ): CSSProperties {
   const p = `${padPct}%`;
-  const shift = {
-    transform: undefined as string | undefined,
-  };
+  const cornerEdgePx = scaleFontToPreview(textPadding, encodeWidth);
+  const coverTextGapPx = scaleFontToPreview(
+    Math.max(10, Math.round(textPadding * 0.55)),
+    encodeWidth,
+  );
+  const encodeHeight = Math.round((encodeWidth * 9) / 16);
+  const cornerSidePx = scaleFontToPreview(
+    lowerCornerCoverSide(encodeWidth, encodeHeight, textPadding),
+    encodeWidth,
+  );
 
   const baseGap = { display: "flex", flexDirection: "column" as const, gap: `${titleArtistGap}px` };
 
@@ -294,13 +342,38 @@ function previewTextStyle(
         textAlign: "center",
         alignItems: "center",
       };
+    case "LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT":
+      return {
+        ...baseGap,
+        position: "absolute",
+        left: cornerEdgePx + cornerSidePx + coverTextGapPx + textOffsetX,
+        right: p,
+        bottom: cornerEdgePx,
+        height: cornerSidePx,
+        justifyContent: "center",
+        textAlign: "left",
+        transform: textOffsetY ? `translateY(${textOffsetY}px)` : undefined,
+      };
+    case "LOWER_RIGHT_COVER_TEXT":
+      return {
+        ...baseGap,
+        position: "absolute",
+        left: p,
+        right: cornerEdgePx + cornerSidePx + coverTextGapPx - textOffsetX,
+        bottom: cornerEdgePx,
+        height: cornerSidePx,
+        justifyContent: "center",
+        textAlign: "right",
+        alignItems: "flex-end",
+        transform: textOffsetY ? `translateY(${textOffsetY}px)` : undefined,
+      };
   }
-  void shift;
 }
 
 export function LayoutStudio({
   locked,
   previewImageUrl,
+  previewBackgroundUrl = null,
   songTitle,
   artist,
   encodeWidth = 1280,
@@ -310,24 +383,31 @@ export function LayoutStudio({
   onWatermarkChange,
   onUploadLogo,
   onUploadFont,
+  onUploadBackground,
+  onClearBackground,
   logoPreviewUrl,
+  hasCustomBackground = false,
 }: Props) {
   const [logoUploading, setLogoUploading] = useState(false);
   const [logoError, setLogoError] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [fontUploading, setFontUploading] = useState(false);
   const [fontError, setFontError] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [customFontObjectUrl, setCustomFontObjectUrl] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [bgUploading, setBgUploading] = useState(false);
+  const [bgError, setBgError] = useState<string | null>(null);
 
   // Always coalesce  HMR / older session state may omit newly added fields
   const L: LayoutSettings = {
     ...DEFAULT_LAYOUT,
     ...layout,
+    blurFill: layout.blurFill ?? DEFAULT_LAYOUT.blurFill,
     blurAmount: layout.blurAmount ?? DEFAULT_LAYOUT.blurAmount,
     blurOpacity: layout.blurOpacity ?? BLUR_OPACITY_DEFAULT,
     textPadding: layout.textPadding ?? DEFAULT_LAYOUT.textPadding,
     titleArtistGap: layout.titleArtistGap ?? DEFAULT_LAYOUT.titleArtistGap,
     textOffsetX: layout.textOffsetX ?? DEFAULT_LAYOUT.textOffsetX,
     textOffsetY: layout.textOffsetY ?? DEFAULT_LAYOUT.textOffsetY,
+    titleBold: layout.titleBold ?? DEFAULT_LAYOUT.titleBold,
   };
   const W: WatermarkSettings = {
     ...DEFAULT_WATERMARK,
@@ -386,13 +466,34 @@ export function LayoutStudio({
       el.id = styleId;
       document.head.appendChild(el);
     }
-    el.textContent = CURATED_FONTS.map(
-      (f) => `@font-face {
-  font-family: 'S2VIDPreview-${f.key}';
-  src: url('${curatedFontApiUrl(f.key)}') format('truetype');
+    el.textContent = [
+      `@font-face {
+  font-family: '${SYSTEM_FONT.previewFamily}';
+  src: url('${curatedFontApiUrl(SYSTEM_FONT.key)}') format('truetype');
+  font-weight: 400;
   font-display: swap;
 }`,
-    ).join("\n");
+      `@font-face {
+  font-family: '${SYSTEM_FONT.previewFamily}';
+  src: url('${curatedFontApiUrl(SYSTEM_FONT.key)}?weight=bold') format('truetype');
+  font-weight: 600;
+  font-display: swap;
+}`,
+      `@font-face {
+  font-family: '${SYSTEM_FONT.previewFamily}';
+  src: url('${curatedFontApiUrl(SYSTEM_FONT.key)}?weight=bold') format('truetype');
+  font-weight: 700;
+  font-display: swap;
+}`,
+      ...CURATED_FONTS.map(
+        (f) => `@font-face {
+  font-family: 'S2VIDPreview-${f.key}';
+  src: url('${curatedFontApiUrl(f.key)}') format('truetype');
+  font-weight: 400;
+  font-display: swap;
+}`,
+      ),
+    ].join("\n");
   }, []);
 
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -463,6 +564,21 @@ export function LayoutStudio({
     }
   }
 
+  async function handleBackground(e: ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) {
+    const file = e.target.files?.[0];
+    e.target.value = "";
+    if (!file || locked || !onUploadBackground) return;
+    setBgError(null);
+    setBgUploading(true);
+    try {
+      await onUploadBackground(file);
+    } catch (err) {
+      setBgError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : "Background upload failed");
+    } finally {
+      setBgUploading(false);
+    }
+  }
+
   function setFontKey(key: WatermarkFontKey) {
     if (key === "custom") {
       patchWm({ fontKey: "custom", fontPath: watermark.fontPath ?? null });
@@ -472,6 +588,8 @@ export function LayoutStudio({
   }
 
   const artTrack = Boolean(L.template);
+  const lowerCorner = isLowerCornerTemplate(L.template);
+  const blurPreviewUrl = previewBackgroundUrl || previewImageUrl;
 
   return (
     <div
@@ -495,7 +613,7 @@ export function LayoutStudio({
                 <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-black" />
                 {/* eslint-disable-next-line @next/next/no-img-element */}
                 <img
-                  src={previewImageUrl}
+                  src={blurPreviewUrl!}
                   alt=""
                   className="absolute inset-0 h-full w-full object-cover"
                   style={{
@@ -508,7 +626,12 @@ export function LayoutStudio({
                 <img
                   src={previewImageUrl}
                   alt=""
-                  style={previewCoverStyle(L.template!, padPct)}
+                  style={previewCoverStyle(
+                    L.template!,
+                    padPct,
+                    L.textPadding,
+                    encodeWidth,
+                  )}
                   className="pointer-events-none"
                 />
                 <div
@@ -518,12 +641,17 @@ export function LayoutStudio({
                     L.textOffsetX,
                     L.textOffsetY,
                     L.titleArtistGap,
+                    L.textPadding,
+                    encodeWidth,
                   )}
                 >
                   <p
-                    className="max-w-full truncate font-semibold text-white drop-shadow"
+                    className={`max-w-full truncate text-white drop-shadow ${
+                      L.titleBold ? "font-semibold" : "font-normal"
+                    }`}
                     style={{
                       ...textFontStyle,
+                      fontWeight: L.titleBold ? 600 : 400,
                       fontSize: `${titlePreviewPx}px`,
                       lineHeight: 1.15,
                     }}
@@ -543,13 +671,28 @@ export function LayoutStudio({
                 </div>
               </>
             ) : (
-              <div className="absolute inset-0 flex items-center justify-center bg-black">
-                {/* eslint-disable-next-line @next/next/no-img-element */}
-                <img
-                  src={previewImageUrl}
-                  alt=""
-                  className="max-h-full max-w-full object-contain"
-                />
+              <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-black">
+                {L.blurFill && (
+                  // eslint-disable-next-line @next/next/no-img-element
+                  <img
+                    src={previewImageUrl}
+                    alt=""
+                    className="absolute inset-0 h-full w-full object-cover"
+                    style={{
+                      filter: L.blurAmount > 0 ? `blur(${blurPx}px)` : undefined,
+                      transform: "scale(1.15)",
+                      opacity: L.blurOpacity / 100,
+                    }}
+                  />
+                )}
+                <div className="absolute inset-0 flex items-center justify-center">
+                  {/* eslint-disable-next-line @next/next/no-img-element */}
+                  <img
+                    src={previewImageUrl}
+                    alt=""
+                    className="max-h-full max-w-full object-contain"
+                  />
+                </div>
               </div>
             )}
 
@@ -595,22 +738,114 @@ export function LayoutStudio({
       {/* Art-track templates */}
       <p className="mb-2 mt-5 text-sm font-medium text-gray-300">Composition</p>
       <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-2 sm:grid-cols-3 lg:grid-cols-5">
-        <MiniThumb
-          template={null}
-          active={L.template === null}
-          disabled={locked}
-          onClick={() => patchLayout({ template: null })}
-        />
-        {LAYOUT_TEMPLATES.map((t) => (
-          <MiniThumb
-            key={t}
-            template={t}
-            active={L.template === t}
-            disabled={locked}
-            onClick={() => patchLayout({ template: t })}
-          />
-        ))}
+        {COMPOSITION_FAMILIES.map((family) => {
+          const active =
+            family.id === "classic"
+              ? L.template === null
+              : family.variants.includes(L.template as LayoutTemplate);
+          return (
+            <MiniThumb
+              key={family.id}
+              template={family.thumb}
+              label={family.label}
+              active={active}
+              disabled={locked}
+              onClick={() => {
+                if (family.id === "classic") {
+                  patchLayout({ template: null });
+                  return;
+                }
+                if (
+                  L.template &&
+                  family.variants.includes(L.template as LayoutTemplate)
+                ) {
+                  return;
+                }
+                patchLayout({ template: family.defaultTemplate, blurFill: false });
+              }}
+            />
+          );
+        })}
       </div>
+      {(() => {
+        const family = compositionFamilyForTemplate(L.template);
+        if (family.variants.length < 2) return null;
+        return (
+          <div className="mt-2 flex flex-wrap gap-2">
+            {family.variants.map((variant) => (
+              <button
+                key={variant}
+                type="button"
+                disabled={locked}
+                onClick={() => patchLayout({ template: variant })}
+                className={`rounded border px-2.5 py-1.5 text-[11px] font-medium transition-colors ${
+                  L.template === variant
+                    ? "border-accent bg-accent/15 text-white"
+                    : "border-gray-700 bg-black/40 text-gray-300 hover:border-gray-500"
+                } disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50`}
+              >
+                {LAYOUT_TEMPLATE_LABELS[variant]}
+              </button>
+            ))}
+          </div>
+        );
+      })()}
+
+      {!artTrack && (
+        <label className="mt-3 flex cursor-pointer items-start gap-2 text-sm text-gray-300">
+          <input
+            type="checkbox"
+            className="mt-0.5"
+            disabled={locked}
+            checked={L.blurFill}
+            onChange={(e) => patchLayout({ blurFill: e.target.checked })}
+          />
+          <span>
+            <span className="font-medium text-gray-200">Blurred cover background</span>
+            <span className="mt-0.5 block text-xs text-gray-500">
+              Fill letterbox bars with a blurred cover instead of black. Adjust blur and opacity
+              below when enabled.
+            </span>
+          </span>
+        </label>
+      )}
+
+      {lowerCorner && (
+        <div className="mt-3 rounded border border-gray-700 bg-black/30 p-3">
+          <p className="mb-2 text-sm font-medium text-gray-300">Background image</p>
+          <p className="mb-2 text-xs text-gray-500">
+            Optional. Used as the blurred full-frame fill; the cover stays the sharp corner square.
+            Leave empty to blur the cover itself.
+          </p>
+          <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2">
+            <label
+              className={`cursor-pointer rounded border border-gray-600 bg-surface-dark px-3 py-1.5 text-xs text-gray-200 hover:border-gray-400 ${
+                locked || bgUploading ? "pointer-events-none opacity-40" : ""
+              }`}
+            >
+              {bgUploading ? "Uploading…" : hasCustomBackground ? "Replace image" : "Upload image"}
+              <input
+                type="file"
+                accept="image/*"
+                className="hidden"
+                disabled={locked || bgUploading || !onUploadBackground}
+                onChange={handleBackground}
+              />
+            </label>
+            {hasCustomBackground && (
+              <button
+                type="button"
+                disabled={locked}
+                onClick={() => onClearBackground?.()}
+                className="rounded border border-gray-700 px-3 py-1.5 text-xs text-gray-400 hover:border-gray-500 hover:text-gray-200 disabled:opacity-40"
+              >
+                Use cover as background
+              </button>
+            )}
+          </div>
+          {bgError && <p className="mt-2 text-xs text-red-400">{bgError}</p>}
+        </div>
+      )}
 
       <div className="mt-4 grid gap-3 sm:grid-cols-2">
         <label className="text-sm text-gray-400">
@@ -619,7 +854,7 @@ export function LayoutStudio({
             type="range"
             min={BLUR_AMOUNT_MIN}
             max={BLUR_AMOUNT_MAX}
-            disabled={locked || !artTrack}
+            disabled={locked || !(artTrack || L.blurFill)}
             value={L.blurAmount}
             onChange={(e) => patchLayout({ blurAmount: Number(e.target.value) })}
             className="mt-1 w-full disabled:opacity-40"
@@ -631,7 +866,7 @@ export function LayoutStudio({
             type="range"
             min={BLUR_OPACITY_MIN}
             max={BLUR_OPACITY_MAX}
-            disabled={locked || !artTrack}
+            disabled={locked || !(artTrack || L.blurFill)}
             value={L.blurOpacity}
             onChange={(e) => patchLayout({ blurOpacity: Number(e.target.value) })}
             className="mt-1 w-full disabled:opacity-40"
@@ -687,6 +922,20 @@ export function LayoutStudio({
             className="mt-1 w-full disabled:opacity-40"
           />
         </label>
+        <label
+          className={`flex items-center gap-2 text-sm text-gray-300 sm:col-span-2 ${
+            locked || !artTrack ? "opacity-40" : ""
+          }`}
+        >
+          <input
+            type="checkbox"
+            className="rounded border-gray-600 bg-surface-dark text-accent focus:ring-accent"
+            disabled={locked || !artTrack}
+            checked={L.titleBold}
+            onChange={(e) => patchLayout({ titleBold: e.target.checked })}
+          />
+          Bold song title
+        </label>
       </div>
 
       {/* Typography (matches FFmpeg art-track + watermark text fonts) */}
@@ -700,7 +949,7 @@ export function LayoutStudio({
             onChange={(e) => setFontKey(e.target.value as WatermarkFontKey)}
             className="input-field mt-1"
           >
-            <option value="system">Arial (system default)</option>
+            <option value="system">{SYSTEM_FONT.label}</option>
             {CURATED_FONTS.map((f) => (
               <option key={f.key} value={f.key}>
                 {f.label}
diff --git a/components/UploadForm.tsx b/components/UploadForm.tsx
index 5a6d26b..530261e 100644
--- a/components/UploadForm.tsx
+++ b/components/UploadForm.tsx
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import { audioTagsToMetadata } from "@/lib/audio-tags";
 import { resolveYouTubeTitle } from "@/lib/titles";
 import { SONG_TITLE_MAX } from "@/lib/layout";
 import type { ItemMetadata } from "@/lib/types";
-import { DEFAULT_LAYOUT, type LayoutSettings } from "@/lib/layout";
+import { DEFAULT_LAYOUT, isLowerCornerTemplate, type LayoutSettings } from "@/lib/layout";
 import { DEFAULT_WATERMARK, type WatermarkSettings } from "@/lib/watermark";
 import { CategorySelect } from "./CategorySelect";
 import { LayoutStudio } from "./LayoutStudio";
@@ -65,6 +65,8 @@ export function UploadForm() {
   const [jobWatermark, setJobWatermark] = useState<WatermarkSettings>({ ...DEFAULT_WATERMARK });
   const [jobLayout, setJobLayout] = useState<LayoutSettings>({ ...DEFAULT_LAYOUT });
   const [logoPreviewUrl, setLogoPreviewUrl] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [backgroundImagePath, setBackgroundImagePath] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [backgroundPreviewUrl, setBackgroundPreviewUrl] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [quota, setQuota] = useState<{
     maxBatchSize: number;
     used: number;
@@ -89,6 +91,7 @@ export function UploadForm() {
     return () => {
       if (imagePreviewUrl) URL.revokeObjectURL(imagePreviewUrl);
       if (logoPreviewUrl) URL.revokeObjectURL(logoPreviewUrl);
+      if (backgroundPreviewUrl) URL.revokeObjectURL(backgroundPreviewUrl);
       audioItems.forEach((a) => {
         if (a.itemImagePreview) URL.revokeObjectURL(a.itemImagePreview);
       });
@@ -258,6 +261,21 @@ export function UploadForm() {
     return uploaded.path;
   }
 
+  async function handleBackgroundUpload(file: File) {
+    const preview = URL.createObjectURL(file);
+    if (backgroundPreviewUrl) URL.revokeObjectURL(backgroundPreviewUrl);
+    setBackgroundPreviewUrl(preview);
+    const uploaded = await uploadFile(file, "image");
+    setBackgroundImagePath(uploaded.path);
+    return uploaded.path;
+  }
+
+  function clearBackgroundImage() {
+    if (backgroundPreviewUrl) URL.revokeObjectURL(backgroundPreviewUrl);
+    setBackgroundPreviewUrl(null);
+    setBackgroundImagePath(null);
+  }
+
   function applyWatermarkToAll(next: WatermarkSettings) {
     const normalized = { ...DEFAULT_WATERMARK, ...next };
     setJobWatermark(normalized);
@@ -276,6 +294,9 @@ export function UploadForm() {
   function applyLayoutToAll(next: LayoutSettings) {
     const normalized = { ...DEFAULT_LAYOUT, ...next };
     setJobLayout(normalized);
+    if (!isLowerCornerTemplate(normalized.template)) {
+      clearBackgroundImage();
+    }
     setAudioItems((prev) =>
       prev.map((item) => ({
         ...item,
@@ -371,6 +392,10 @@ export function UploadForm() {
               includeWatermark: effectiveWatermark.mode !== "none",
               watermark: effectiveWatermark,
               layout: jobLayout,
+              backgroundImagePath:
+                isLowerCornerTemplate(jobLayout.template) && backgroundImagePath
+                  ? backgroundImagePath
+                  : null,
             },
           })),
         }),
@@ -620,6 +645,7 @@ export function UploadForm() {
         previewImageUrl={
           audioItems.find((a) => a.itemImagePreview)?.itemImagePreview || imagePreviewUrl
         }
+        previewBackgroundUrl={backgroundPreviewUrl}
         songTitle={
           audioItems[0]?.metadata.songTitle ||
           audioItems[0]?.metadata.title ||
@@ -633,6 +659,9 @@ export function UploadForm() {
         onWatermarkChange={applyWatermarkToAll}
         onUploadLogo={handleLogoUpload}
         onUploadFont={handleFontUpload}
+        onUploadBackground={handleBackgroundUpload}
+        onClearBackground={clearBackgroundImage}
+        hasCustomBackground={Boolean(backgroundImagePath)}
         logoPreviewUrl={logoPreviewUrl}
       />
 
diff --git a/components/WatermarkPreview.tsx b/components/WatermarkPreview.tsx
index 0242b8f..129fa16 100644
--- a/components/WatermarkPreview.tsx
+++ b/components/WatermarkPreview.tsx
@@ -11,9 +11,14 @@ import { getVideoAttributionText } from "@/lib/branding";
 import {
   CURATED_FONTS,
   googleFontsStylesheetUrl,
+  SYSTEM_FONT,
   type CuratedFontKey,
   type WatermarkFontKey,
 } from "@/lib/fonts";
+import {
+  curatedFontApiUrl,
+  previewFontFamilyCss,
+} from "@/lib/preview-typography";
 import {
   WATERMARK_OFFSET_MAX,
   WATERMARK_OFFSET_MIN,
@@ -78,10 +83,7 @@ function previewStyle(
 }
 
 function previewFontFamily(fontKey: WatermarkFontKey | undefined): string {
-  if (!fontKey || fontKey === "system") return "ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif";
-  if (fontKey === "custom") return `'${CUSTOM_PREVIEW_FAMILY}', sans-serif`;
-  const meta = CURATED_FONTS.find((f) => f.key === fontKey);
-  return meta ? `'${meta.cssFamily}', sans-serif` : "sans-serif";
+  return previewFontFamilyCss(fontKey);
 }
 
 export function WatermarkPreview({
@@ -110,7 +112,32 @@ export function WatermarkPreview({
     [value.fontKey],
   );
 
-  // Load curated Google Fonts for live canvas preview
+  // Load bundled + curated fonts for live canvas preview (same files as FFmpeg)
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const styleId = "s2vid-watermark-preview-fonts";
+    let el = document.getElementById(styleId) as HTMLStyleElement | null;
+    if (!el) {
+      el = document.createElement("style");
+      el.id = styleId;
+      document.head.appendChild(el);
+    }
+    el.textContent = [
+      `@font-face {
+  font-family: '${SYSTEM_FONT.previewFamily}';
+  src: url('${curatedFontApiUrl(SYSTEM_FONT.key)}') format('truetype');
+  font-display: swap;
+}`,
+      ...CURATED_FONTS.map(
+        (f) => `@font-face {
+  font-family: 'S2VIDPreview-${f.key}';
+  src: url('${curatedFontApiUrl(f.key)}') format('truetype');
+  font-display: swap;
+}`,
+      ),
+    ].join("\n");
+  }, []);
+
+  // Legacy Google Fonts link (kept for any older preview paths)
   useEffect(() => {
     const id = "s2vid-watermark-google-fonts";
     if (document.getElementById(id)) return;
@@ -287,7 +314,7 @@ export function WatermarkPreview({
                 onChange={(e) => setFontKey(e.target.value as WatermarkFontKey)}
                 className="input-field mt-1"
               >
-                <option value="system">System default</option>
+                <option value="system">{SYSTEM_FONT.label}</option>
                 {CURATED_FONTS.map((f) => (
                   <option key={f.key} value={f.key} style={{ fontFamily: f.cssFamily }}>
                     {f.label}
diff --git a/docs/README.md b/docs/README.md
index 577196b..9bf9e5f 100644
--- a/docs/README.md
+++ b/docs/README.md
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ This folder ships with the OSS repo so API reference stays available without the
 
 | Doc | Contents |
 |-----|----------|
-| [API overview](./api/overview.md) | Auth, rate limits, recommended flows |
-| [API endpoints](./api/endpoints.md) | curl examples for upload, jobs, playlists, errors |
+| [API overview](./api/overview.md) | Auth, rate limits, recommended flows, discovery (`layoutTemplates`, `compositionFamilies`) |
+| [API endpoints](./api/endpoints.md) | curl examples for upload, jobs, layouts (incl. lower-corner templates), playlists, errors |
 
 Live docs (same product truth for self-host): [docs.songs2vid.com](https://docs.songs2vid.com)
 
diff --git a/docs/api/endpoints.md b/docs/api/endpoints.md
index 2aeadbe..9cf1643 100644
--- a/docs/api/endpoints.md
+++ b/docs/api/endpoints.md
@@ -112,11 +112,12 @@ curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/api/v1/jobs" \
         "creativeCommons": false,
         "includeWatermark": true,
         "layout": {
-          "template": "COVER_LEFT_TEXT_RIGHT",
+          "template": "LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT",
           "blurAmount": 60,
           "blurOpacity": 85,
           "textPadding": 48,
           "titleArtistGap": 12,
+          "titleBold": true,
           "textOffsetX": 0,
           "textOffsetY": 0
         },
@@ -162,6 +163,7 @@ curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/api/v1/jobs" \
 | `creativeCommons` | boolean | CC vs standard YouTube license |
 | `includeWatermark` | boolean | Apply watermark settings |
 | `imagePath` | string \| null | Per-track cover |
+| `backgroundImagePath` | string \| null | Lower-corner templates only: separate blur-fill image (else cover is blurred) |
 | `playlistId` | string \| null | Existing playlist ID |
 | `layout` | object | Art-track layout |
 | `watermark` | object | Watermark settings |
@@ -216,7 +218,7 @@ Snake_case aliases are accepted for layout/watermark fields.
 
 ### Art-track layouts
 
-`metadata.layout.template`:
+`metadata.layout.template` (or flat `layout_template` / `layoutTemplate`). Valid enums are also listed on `GET /api/v1` as `layoutTemplates`. Mirrored pairs used by the Layout Studio composition grid are listed under `compositionFamilies` (`side`: cover beside text; `lower`: lower corner).
 
 | Enum | Description |
 |------|-------------|
@@ -224,8 +226,33 @@ Snake_case aliases are accepted for layout/watermark fields.
 | `COVER_TOP_TEXT_BOTTOM` | Cover top, title & artist below |
 | `COVER_RIGHT_TEXT_LEFT` | Cover right, title & artist left |
 | `CENTERED_COMPACT` | Centered cover + text stack |
+| `LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT` | Lower-left cover; `textPadding` is equal left + bottom inset (diagonal from frame corner) with title/artist to the right |
+| `LOWER_RIGHT_COVER_TEXT` | Lower-right cover; `textPadding` is equal right + bottom inset (diagonal from frame corner) with title/artist to the left |
 
-Fine-tuning (defaults in parentheses): `blurAmount` (55), `blurOpacity` (100), `textPadding` (48), `titleArtistGap` (10), `textOffsetX` (0), `textOffsetY` (0).
+For lower-corner templates only, optional `metadata.backgroundImagePath` (or `background_image_path`) sets a separate full-frame blur fill. Upload with `type=image` first, then pass the returned path. The cover (`imagePath` / per-item `metadata.imagePath`) stays the sharp corner square. Omit the field to blur the cover itself (default). `blurAmount` / `blurOpacity` still apply to whichever image is used as the fill.
+
+Optional fine-tuning (clamped; camelCase or snake_case):
+
+| Field | Range | Default | Purpose |
+|-------|-------|---------|---------|
+| `blurAmount` / `blur_amount` | 0–100 | 55 | Background `boxblur` intensity |
+| `blurOpacity` / `blur_opacity` | 0–100 | 100 | Blurred fill vs black |
+| `blurFill` / `blur_fill` | boolean | `false` | Classic letterbox only: fill bars with blurred cover (ignored for art-track templates) |
+| `textPadding` / `text_padding` | 16–120 | 48 | Edge inset for cover/text. On lower-corner templates this value is applied equally on both axes (left=bottom or right=bottom) so the cover corner sits on a true diagonal from the frame corner |
+| `titleArtistGap` / `title_artist_gap` | 0–64 | 10 | Space between title and artist |
+| `titleBold` / `title_bold` | boolean | `true` | Bold song title (preview + FFmpeg) |
+| `textOffsetX` / `text_offset_x` | −120–120 | 0 | Shift text block horizontally |
+| `textOffsetY` / `text_offset_y` | −120–120 | 0 | Shift text block vertically |
+
+Also set `metadata.songTitle` (max 120) and `metadata.artist` (max 80) for the on-video text lines. `metadata.title` remains the YouTube title.
+
+Omit `layout.template` for classic letterbox (black-padded cover by default). Set `layout.blurFill` / `blur_fill` to `true` to fill letterbox bars with a blurred cover; then `blurAmount` / `blurOpacity` apply. Free-form cover coordinates (`x`, `y`, `coverX`, …) and layout-level `offsetX`/`offsetY` are **rejected**.
+
+Invalid template strings return **400**:
+
+```json
+{ "error": "Invalid layout template. Refer to API documentation for valid enum values." }
+```
 
 ## YouTube playlists
 
diff --git a/docs/api/overview.md b/docs/api/overview.md
index 9ac3454..65de0c7 100644
--- a/docs/api/overview.md
+++ b/docs/api/overview.md
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ Poll with `GET /api/v1/jobs/:id`.
 GET /api/v1
 ```
 
-Returns the endpoint list and requirements (no auth). Useful as a machine-readable catalog of what this instance exposes.
+Returns the endpoint list, requirements, `layoutTemplates` (every art-track enum id + label, including `LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT` / `LOWER_RIGHT_COVER_TEXT`), and `compositionFamilies` (UI grouping for mirrored left/right variants). No auth required.
 
 ## Next
 
diff --git a/lib/ffmpeg/encode.ts b/lib/ffmpeg/encode.ts
index c55945b..e7218a5 100644
--- a/lib/ffmpeg/encode.ts
+++ b/lib/ffmpeg/encode.ts
@@ -8,9 +8,12 @@ import {
   isCuratedFontKey,
   sanitizeFontfileForFilter,
 } from "../fonts";
-import { resolveCuratedFontPath } from "../fonts-server";
+import { resolveCuratedFontPath, resolveSystemFontPath, assertFontFile } from "../fonts-server";
 import {
   buildArtTrackFilterComplex,
+  buildClassicBlurFillFilterComplex,
+  isLowerCornerTemplate,
+  normalizeLayoutSettings,
   type LayoutSettings,
 } from "../layout";
 import {
@@ -61,9 +64,26 @@ export async function assertPngFile(filePath: string): Promise<void> {
 
 async function resolveFontfileEscaped(
   settings: WatermarkSettings,
+  weight: "regular" | "bold" = "regular",
 ): Promise<string | null> {
   const key = settings.fontKey ?? "system";
-  if (key === "system") return null;
+  if (key === "system") {
+    const preferred = resolveSystemFontPath(weight);
+    const fallback = weight === "bold" ? resolveSystemFontPath("regular") : preferred;
+    for (const fontPath of weight === "bold" ? [preferred, fallback] : [preferred]) {
+      if (!(await fileExists(fontPath))) continue;
+      try {
+        await assertFontFile(fontPath);
+        return sanitizeFontfileForFilter(fontPath);
+      } catch (err) {
+        console.warn(
+          `[ffmpeg] system font invalid at ${fontPath}: ${err instanceof Error ? err.message : err}`,
+        );
+      }
+    }
+    console.warn(`[ffmpeg] system font missing; using FFmpeg default`);
+    return null;
+  }
 
   if (key === "custom") {
     if (!settings.fontPath) return null;
@@ -74,12 +94,19 @@ async function resolveFontfileEscaped(
   }
 
   if (isCuratedFontKey(key)) {
-    const fontPath = resolveCuratedFontPath(key);
-    if (!(await fileExists(fontPath))) {
-      console.warn(`[ffmpeg] curated font missing: ${key} at ${fontPath}; using system font`);
-      return null;
+    const preferred = resolveCuratedFontPath(key, weight);
+    const fallback = weight === "bold" ? resolveCuratedFontPath(key, "regular") : preferred;
+    for (const fontPath of weight === "bold" && preferred !== fallback ? [preferred, fallback] : [preferred]) {
+      if (!(await fileExists(fontPath))) continue;
+      try {
+        await assertFontFile(fontPath);
+        return sanitizeFontfileForFilter(fontPath);
+      } catch {
+        /* try next */
+      }
     }
-    return sanitizeFontfileForFilter(fontPath);
+    console.warn(`[ffmpeg] curated font missing: ${key}; using system font`);
+    return null;
   }
 
   return null;
@@ -99,6 +126,13 @@ function artTrackFilterEndingAt(
   return buildArtTrackFilterComplex(opts).replace(/\[laid\]$/, `[${outLabel}]`);
 }
 
+function classicBlurFillEndingAt(
+  opts: Parameters<typeof buildClassicBlurFillFilterComplex>[0],
+  outLabel: string,
+): string {
+  return buildClassicBlurFillFilterComplex(opts).replace(/\[laid\]$/, `[${outLabel}]`);
+}
+
 export async function encodeVideo(options: {
   imagePath: string;
   audioPath: string;
@@ -110,6 +144,11 @@ export async function encodeVideo(options: {
   /** On-video song title (art-track layouts). */
   songTitle?: string;
   artist?: string | null;
+  /**
+   * Optional full-frame background for lower-corner templates.
+   * When set with LOWER_LEFT / LOWER_RIGHT, blur fill uses this image; cover stays sharp.
+   */
+  backgroundImagePath?: string | null;
 }): Promise<void> {
   const res = getResolution(options.resolution);
   if (!res) throw new Error(`Invalid resolution: ${options.resolution}`);
@@ -117,17 +156,39 @@ export async function encodeVideo(options: {
   await fs.mkdir(path.dirname(options.outputPath), { recursive: true });
 
   const settings = normalizeWatermarkSettings(options.watermark, options.includeWatermark);
-  const layout = options.layout?.template ? options.layout : null;
+  const layoutSettings = options.layout
+    ? normalizeLayoutSettings(options.layout)
+    : null;
+  const artTrack = Boolean(layoutSettings?.template);
+  const classicBlurFill = Boolean(layoutSettings && !artTrack && layoutSettings.blurFill);
+  const layout = artTrack && layoutSettings ? layoutSettings : null;
   const watermarkWidth = Math.max(1, Math.round(res.width * WATERMARK_WIDTH_FRACTION));
   const fontSize = watermarkFontSizeForWidth(res.width);
-  const fontfile = await resolveFontfileEscaped(settings);
+  const fontfile = await resolveFontfileEscaped(settings, "regular");
+  const titleFontfile =
+    layout?.titleBold ? await resolveFontfileEscaped(settings, "bold") : null;
+  // Only pass a distinct bold face when it differs from regular (avoids faux-bold when bold TTF exists).
+  const titleFontfileDistinct =
+    titleFontfile && titleFontfile !== fontfile ? titleFontfile : null;
 
   const args = ["-y", "-loop", "1", "-r", "1", "-i", options.imagePath, "-i", options.audioPath];
 
   let nextInput = 2;
+  let separateBackgroundInputIndex: number | null = null;
   let logoInputIndex: number | null = null;
   let defaultWmInputIndex: number | null = null;
 
+  const useSeparateBackground =
+    Boolean(layout && isLowerCornerTemplate(layout.template) && options.backgroundImagePath);
+
+  if (useSeparateBackground && options.backgroundImagePath) {
+    if (!(await fileExists(options.backgroundImagePath))) {
+      throw new Error("Background image file not found");
+    }
+    args.push("-loop", "1", "-r", "1", "-i", options.backgroundImagePath);
+    separateBackgroundInputIndex = nextInput++;
+  }
+
   const needsLogo = settings.mode === "logo" && Boolean(settings.logoPath);
   const defaultPath = getWatermarkPath();
   const useDefaultPng =
@@ -156,8 +217,8 @@ export async function encodeVideo(options: {
             ? ("default-text" as const)
             : ("none" as const);
 
-  // Fast path: classic letterbox, no watermark
-  if (!layout && applyWm === "none") {
+  // Fast path: classic letterbox (black bars), no watermark, no blur fill
+  if (!layout && !classicBlurFill && applyWm === "none") {
     args.push("-vf", classicScaleFilter(res.width, res.height));
     args.push(
       "-c:v",
@@ -192,6 +253,20 @@ export async function encodeVideo(options: {
           titleEscaped,
           artistEscaped,
           fontfileEscaped: fontfile,
+          titleFontfileEscaped: titleFontfileDistinct,
+          separateBackgroundInputIndex,
+        },
+        baseLabel,
+      ),
+    );
+  } else if (classicBlurFill && layoutSettings) {
+    filterParts.push(
+      classicBlurFillEndingAt(
+        {
+          width: res.width,
+          height: res.height,
+          blurAmount: layoutSettings.blurAmount,
+          blurOpacity: layoutSettings.blurOpacity,
         },
         baseLabel,
       ),
@@ -235,7 +310,7 @@ export async function encodeVideo(options: {
       position: settings.position,
       offsetX: settings.offsetX,
       offsetY: settings.offsetY,
-      fontfileEscaped: null,
+      fontfileEscaped: fontfile,
     });
     filterParts.push(`[${baseLabel}]${draw}[vout]`);
   }
diff --git a/lib/fonts-server.ts b/lib/fonts-server.ts
index fc6b9d5..750b583 100644
--- a/lib/fonts-server.ts
+++ b/lib/fonts-server.ts
@@ -2,19 +2,32 @@
 
 import fs from "fs/promises";
 import path from "path";
-import { CURATED_FONTS, type CuratedFontKey } from "./fonts";
+import { CURATED_FONTS, SYSTEM_FONT, type CuratedFontKey } from "./fonts";
 
 export function getFontsDir(): string {
   return path.join(process.cwd(), "assets", "fonts");
 }
 
+/** Resolve the bundled system (Arimo) font for FFmpeg + preview. */
+export function resolveSystemFontPath(weight: "regular" | "bold" = "regular"): string {
+  const file = weight === "bold" ? SYSTEM_FONT.boldFile : SYSTEM_FONT.file;
+  const safe = file.replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9._-]/g, "");
+  if (safe !== file) throw new Error("Invalid font asset name");
+  return path.join(getFontsDir(), safe);
+}
+
 /** Resolve a curated font file on disk (must exist under assets/fonts). */
-export function resolveCuratedFontPath(key: CuratedFontKey): string {
+export function resolveCuratedFontPath(
+  key: CuratedFontKey,
+  weight: "regular" | "bold" = "regular",
+): string {
   const meta = CURATED_FONTS.find((f) => f.key === key);
   if (!meta) throw new Error("Unknown font");
+  const file =
+    weight === "bold" && meta.boldFile ? meta.boldFile : meta.file;
   // Whitelist filename only  never accept user-controlled path segments
-  const safe = meta.file.replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9._-]/g, "");
-  if (safe !== meta.file) throw new Error("Invalid font asset name");
+  const safe = file.replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9._-]/g, "");
+  if (safe !== file) throw new Error("Invalid font asset name");
   return path.join(getFontsDir(), safe);
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/fonts.ts b/lib/fonts.ts
index 3e7d3eb..00f3c94 100644
--- a/lib/fonts.ts
+++ b/lib/fonts.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,15 @@
 /** Max custom font upload size (10 MB). */
 export const FONT_UPLOAD_MAX_BYTES = 10 * 1024 * 1024;
 
+/** Bundled default font for preview + FFmpeg parity (Apache 2.0, Google Arimo). */
+export const SYSTEM_FONT = {
+  key: "system",
+  label: "Arimo",
+  file: "Arimo-Regular.ttf",
+  boldFile: "Arimo-Bold.ttf",
+  previewFamily: "S2VIDPreview-system",
+} as const;
+
 export const CURATED_FONTS = [
   {
     key: "inter",
@@ -10,6 +19,7 @@ export const CURATED_FONTS = [
     cssFamily: "Inter",
     googleCss: "Inter:wght@400;600",
     file: "Inter-Regular.ttf",
+    boldFile: null as string | null,
   },
   {
     key: "montserrat",
@@ -17,6 +27,7 @@ export const CURATED_FONTS = [
     cssFamily: "Montserrat",
     googleCss: "Montserrat:wght@400;600",
     file: "Montserrat-Regular.ttf",
+    boldFile: null as string | null,
   },
   {
     key: "roboto",
@@ -24,6 +35,7 @@ export const CURATED_FONTS = [
     cssFamily: "Roboto",
     googleCss: "Roboto:wght@400;500",
     file: "Roboto-Regular.ttf",
+    boldFile: null as string | null,
   },
   {
     key: "oswald",
@@ -31,6 +43,7 @@ export const CURATED_FONTS = [
     cssFamily: "Oswald",
     googleCss: "Oswald:wght@400;500",
     file: "Oswald-Regular.ttf",
+    boldFile: null as string | null,
   },
   {
     key: "playfair",
@@ -38,6 +51,7 @@ export const CURATED_FONTS = [
     cssFamily: "Playfair Display",
     googleCss: "Playfair+Display:wght@400;600",
     file: "PlayfairDisplay-Regular.ttf",
+    boldFile: null as string | null,
   },
 ] as const;
 
diff --git a/lib/jobs/create-job.ts b/lib/jobs/create-job.ts
index fc2810c..a7920cc 100644
--- a/lib/jobs/create-job.ts
+++ b/lib/jobs/create-job.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import { moveFile, writeUploadedFile } from "../fs-utils";
 import {
   ARTIST_MAX,
   INVALID_LAYOUT_TEMPLATE_MESSAGE,
+  isLowerCornerTemplate,
   normalizeLayoutSettings,
   SONG_TITLE_MAX,
   type LayoutSettings,
@@ -56,6 +57,11 @@ export function resolveLayoutFromMetadata(metadata: ItemMetadata): LayoutSetting
       metadata.layout?.blur_amount ??
       metadata.blurAmount ??
       metadata.blur_amount,
+    blurFill:
+      metadata.layout?.blurFill ??
+      (metadata.layout as { blur_fill?: boolean } | null | undefined)?.blur_fill ??
+      metadata.blurFill ??
+      metadata.blur_fill,
     blurOpacity:
       metadata.layout?.blurOpacity ??
       (metadata.layout as { blur_opacity?: number } | null | undefined)?.blur_opacity ??
@@ -81,6 +87,11 @@ export function resolveLayoutFromMetadata(metadata: ItemMetadata): LayoutSetting
       (metadata.layout as { text_offset_y?: number } | null | undefined)?.text_offset_y ??
       metadata.textOffsetY ??
       metadata.text_offset_y,
+    titleBold:
+      metadata.layout?.titleBold ??
+      (metadata.layout as { title_bold?: boolean } | null | undefined)?.title_bold ??
+      metadata.titleBold ??
+      metadata.title_bold,
   });
 }
 
@@ -180,6 +191,18 @@ export async function validateJobPayload(user: { id: string }, body: CreateJobPa
         }
       }
 
+      const layoutForBg = resolveLayoutFromMetadata(item.metadata);
+      const bgRaw =
+        item.metadata.backgroundImagePath ?? item.metadata.background_image_path ?? null;
+      if (bgRaw && isLowerCornerTemplate(layoutForBg.template)) {
+        const bgPath = assertPathInUserUploads(user.id, bgRaw);
+        await fs.access(bgPath);
+        const st = await fs.stat(bgPath);
+        if (st.size > limits.maxFileSizeBytes) {
+          return `Background image for ${item.audioFilename} exceeds size limit`;
+        }
+      }
+
       const wm = normalizeWatermarkSettings(
         item.metadata.watermark,
         item.metadata.includeWatermark,
@@ -242,20 +265,30 @@ export async function createVideoJob(
   }
 
   const imagePath = assertPathInUserUploads(user.id, body.imagePath);
-  const items = body.items.map((item) => ({
-    ...item,
-    audioPath: assertPathInUserUploads(user.id, item.audioPath),
-    itemImagePath: item.metadata.imagePath
-      ? assertPathInUserUploads(user.id, item.metadata.imagePath)
-      : null,
-    watermarkLogoPath: item.metadata.watermark?.logoPath
-      ? assertPathInUserUploads(user.id, item.metadata.watermark.logoPath)
-      : null,
-    watermarkFontPath:
-      item.metadata.watermark?.fontKey === "custom" && item.metadata.watermark?.fontPath
-        ? assertPathInUserUploads(user.id, item.metadata.watermark.fontPath)
+  const items = body.items.map((item) => {
+    const layout = resolveLayoutFromMetadata(item.metadata);
+    const bgRaw =
+      item.metadata.backgroundImagePath ?? item.metadata.background_image_path ?? null;
+    const backgroundImagePath =
+      bgRaw && isLowerCornerTemplate(layout.template)
+        ? assertPathInUserUploads(user.id, bgRaw)
+        : null;
+    return {
+      ...item,
+      audioPath: assertPathInUserUploads(user.id, item.audioPath),
+      itemImagePath: item.metadata.imagePath
+        ? assertPathInUserUploads(user.id, item.metadata.imagePath)
         : null,
-  }));
+      backgroundImagePath,
+      watermarkLogoPath: item.metadata.watermark?.logoPath
+        ? assertPathInUserUploads(user.id, item.metadata.watermark.logoPath)
+        : null,
+      watermarkFontPath:
+        item.metadata.watermark?.fontKey === "custom" && item.metadata.watermark?.fontPath
+          ? assertPathInUserUploads(user.id, item.metadata.watermark.fontPath)
+          : null,
+    };
+  });
 
   await reserveQuota(user.id, items.length);
 
@@ -298,6 +331,7 @@ export async function createVideoJob(
               creativeCommons: item.metadata.creativeCommons,
               includeWatermark: wm.mode !== "none",
               itemImagePath: item.itemImagePath,
+              backgroundImagePath: item.backgroundImagePath,
               watermarkMode: wm.mode,
               watermarkText: wm.mode === "text" ? wm.text?.trim() || null : null,
               watermarkLogoPath: wm.mode === "logo" ? item.watermarkLogoPath : null,
@@ -309,10 +343,12 @@ export async function createVideoJob(
               watermarkOffsetY: wm.offsetY,
               artist: item.metadata.artist?.trim().slice(0, ARTIST_MAX) || null,
               layoutTemplate: layout.template,
+              blurFill: layout.blurFill,
               blurAmount: layout.blurAmount,
               blurOpacity: layout.blurOpacity,
               textPadding: layout.textPadding,
               titleArtistGap: layout.titleArtistGap,
+              titleBold: layout.titleBold,
               textOffsetX: layout.textOffsetX,
               textOffsetY: layout.textOffsetY,
               playlistId: item.metadata.playlistId?.trim() || null,
@@ -353,6 +389,19 @@ export async function createVideoJob(
           }
         }
 
+        let newBackgroundImage: string | null = null;
+        if (item.backgroundImagePath) {
+          const src = item.backgroundImagePath;
+          if (moved.has(src)) {
+            newBackgroundImage = moved.get(src)!;
+          } else {
+            const ext = path.extname(src);
+            newBackgroundImage = path.join(jobDir, `${item.id}-bg${ext}`);
+            await moveFile(src, newBackgroundImage);
+            moved.set(src, newBackgroundImage);
+          }
+        }
+
         let newLogo: string | null = null;
         if (item.watermarkLogoPath) {
           const src = item.watermarkLogoPath;
@@ -383,6 +432,7 @@ export async function createVideoJob(
           data: {
             audioPath: newAudioPath,
             itemImagePath: newItemImage,
+            backgroundImagePath: newBackgroundImage,
             watermarkLogoPath: newLogo,
             watermarkFontPath: newFont,
           },
diff --git a/lib/layout.ts b/lib/layout.ts
index b703a0c..7d2b045 100644
--- a/lib/layout.ts
+++ b/lib/layout.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ export const LAYOUT_TEMPLATES = [
   "COVER_TOP_TEXT_BOTTOM",
   "COVER_RIGHT_TEXT_LEFT",
   "CENTERED_COMPACT",
+  "LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT",
+  "LOWER_RIGHT_COVER_TEXT",
 ] as const;
 
 export type LayoutTemplate = (typeof LAYOUT_TEMPLATES)[number];
@@ -37,12 +39,31 @@ export const TEXT_OFFSET_MIN = -120;
 export const TEXT_OFFSET_MAX = 120;
 export const TEXT_OFFSET_DEFAULT = 0;
 
+/** Lower-corner cover size as a fraction of encode frame width. */
+export const LOWER_CORNER_COVER_WIDTH_FRACTION = 0.23;
+
+export function lowerCornerCoverSide(
+  width: number,
+  height: number,
+  textPadding: number,
+): number {
+  const edge = clampTextPadding(textPadding);
+  return Math.round(
+    Math.min(width * LOWER_CORNER_COVER_WIDTH_FRACTION, height - edge * 2),
+  );
+}
+
 export const ARTIST_MAX = 80;
 export const SONG_TITLE_MAX = 120;
 
 export type LayoutSettings = {
-  /** When null, classic letterbox (no art-track layout / blur fill). */
+  /** When null, classic letterbox (no art-track layout). */
   template: LayoutTemplate | null;
+  /**
+   * Classic letterbox only: fill letterbox bars with a blurred cover.
+   * Ignored when `template` is set (art-track always uses a blur fill).
+   */
+  blurFill: boolean;
   /** 0–100 → FFmpeg boxblur intensity. */
   blurAmount: number;
   /** 0–100 → how visible the blurred fill is (vs black). */
@@ -55,16 +76,20 @@ export type LayoutSettings = {
   textOffsetX: number;
   /** Shift text block vertically within the template. */
   textOffsetY: number;
+  /** Bold weight for the on-video song title (artist stays regular). */
+  titleBold: boolean;
 };
 
 export const DEFAULT_LAYOUT: LayoutSettings = {
   template: null,
+  blurFill: false,
   blurAmount: BLUR_AMOUNT_DEFAULT,
   blurOpacity: BLUR_OPACITY_DEFAULT,
   textPadding: TEXT_PADDING_DEFAULT,
   titleArtistGap: TITLE_ARTIST_GAP_DEFAULT,
   textOffsetX: TEXT_OFFSET_DEFAULT,
   textOffsetY: TEXT_OFFSET_DEFAULT,
+  titleBold: true,
 };
 
 export function isLayoutTemplate(v: unknown): v is LayoutTemplate {
@@ -119,6 +144,8 @@ type RawLayoutInput = {
   template?: unknown;
   layoutTemplate?: unknown;
   layout_template?: unknown;
+  blurFill?: unknown;
+  blur_fill?: unknown;
   blurAmount?: unknown;
   blur_amount?: unknown;
   blurOpacity?: unknown;
@@ -131,6 +158,8 @@ type RawLayoutInput = {
   text_offset_x?: unknown;
   textOffsetY?: unknown;
   text_offset_y?: unknown;
+  titleBold?: unknown;
+  title_bold?: unknown;
   /** Rejected  clients must not send free-form cover coordinates. */
   x?: unknown;
   y?: unknown;
@@ -189,15 +218,25 @@ export function normalizeLayoutSettings(
     (input as RawLayoutInput).textOffsetY ??
     (input as RawLayoutInput).text_offset_y ??
     (input as LayoutSettings).textOffsetY;
+  const boldRaw =
+    (input as RawLayoutInput).titleBold ??
+    (input as RawLayoutInput).title_bold ??
+    (input as LayoutSettings).titleBold;
+  const blurFillRaw =
+    (input as RawLayoutInput).blurFill ??
+    (input as RawLayoutInput).blur_fill ??
+    (input as LayoutSettings).blurFill;
 
   return {
     template,
+    blurFill: template !== null ? false : Boolean(blurFillRaw),
     blurAmount: clampBlurAmount(blurRaw, BLUR_AMOUNT_DEFAULT),
     blurOpacity: clampBlurOpacity(opacityRaw, BLUR_OPACITY_DEFAULT),
     textPadding: clampTextPadding(padRaw, TEXT_PADDING_DEFAULT),
     titleArtistGap: clampTitleArtistGap(gapRaw, TITLE_ARTIST_GAP_DEFAULT),
     textOffsetX: clampTextOffset(oxRaw, TEXT_OFFSET_DEFAULT),
     textOffsetY: clampTextOffset(oyRaw, TEXT_OFFSET_DEFAULT),
+    titleBold: boldRaw === undefined || boldRaw === null ? true : Boolean(boldRaw),
   };
 }
 
@@ -342,6 +381,54 @@ export function computeLayoutGeometry(
       };
       break;
     }
+    case "LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT": {
+      // Equal left + bottom inset so the cover corner sits on a true diagonal from (0, H).
+      const edge = pad;
+      const side = lowerCornerCoverSide(width, height, pad);
+      const coverTextGap = Math.max(10, Math.round(pad * 0.55));
+      const textX = edge + side + coverTextGap;
+      const coverTop = height - edge - side;
+      const textBlockH = titleFontSize + lineGap + artistFontSize;
+      const textMidY = coverTop + Math.round(side / 2);
+      const titleY = Math.max(edge, textMidY - Math.round(textBlockH / 2));
+      base = {
+        coverMaxW: side,
+        coverMaxH: side,
+        coverX: String(edge),
+        coverY: `H-h-${edge}`,
+        titleFontSize,
+        artistFontSize,
+        titleX: String(textX),
+        titleY: String(titleY),
+        artistX: String(textX),
+        artistY: String(titleY + titleFontSize + lineGap),
+      };
+      break;
+    }
+    case "LOWER_RIGHT_COVER_TEXT": {
+      // Equal right + bottom inset (mirror of lower-left diagonal).
+      const edge = pad;
+      const side = lowerCornerCoverSide(width, height, pad);
+      const coverTextGap = Math.max(10, Math.round(pad * 0.55));
+      const coverTop = height - edge - side;
+      const textBlockH = titleFontSize + lineGap + artistFontSize;
+      const textMidY = coverTop + Math.round(side / 2);
+      const titleY = Math.max(edge, textMidY - Math.round(textBlockH / 2));
+      const textInset = edge + side + coverTextGap;
+      base = {
+        coverMaxW: side,
+        coverMaxH: side,
+        coverX: `W-w-${edge}`,
+        coverY: `H-h-${edge}`,
+        titleFontSize,
+        artistFontSize,
+        titleX: `W-text_w-${textInset}`,
+        titleY: String(titleY),
+        artistX: `W-text_w-${textInset}`,
+        artistY: String(titleY + titleFontSize + lineGap),
+      };
+      break;
+    }
     default: {
       throw new Error(INVALID_LAYOUT_TEMPLATE_MESSAGE);
     }
@@ -350,13 +437,27 @@ export function computeLayoutGeometry(
   return applyTextOffsets(base, textOffsetX, textOffsetY);
 }
 
+export function isLowerCornerTemplate(
+  template: LayoutTemplate | null | undefined,
+): boolean {
+  return template === "LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT" || template === "LOWER_RIGHT_COVER_TEXT";
+}
+
 export function buildArtTrackFilterComplex(opts: {
   width: number;
   height: number;
   layout: LayoutSettings;
   titleEscaped: string;
   artistEscaped: string | null;
+  /** Regular-weight font for artist (and title when not bold / no bold file). */
   fontfileEscaped?: string | null;
+  /** Bold font for title when `layout.titleBold` and a bold face is available. */
+  titleFontfileEscaped?: string | null;
+  /**
+   * When set, use this FFmpeg input index as the blur-fill source instead of
+   * splitting the cover (`[0:v]`). Cover stays on input 0 as the sharp overlay.
+   */
+  separateBackgroundInputIndex?: number | null;
 }): string {
   const { width: W, height: H, layout } = opts;
   if (!layout.template) {
@@ -378,15 +479,84 @@ export function buildArtTrackFilterComplex(opts: {
     : `scale=${W}:${H}:force_original_aspect_ratio=increase,crop=${W}:${H}`;
 
   const opacity = clampBlurOpacity(layout.blurOpacity, BLUR_OPACITY_DEFAULT) / 100;
-  const fontPart = opts.fontfileEscaped ? `:fontfile='${opts.fontfileEscaped}'` : "";
-  const titleDraw = `drawtext=text='${opts.titleEscaped}'${fontPart}:fontsize=${geo.titleFontSize}:fontcolor=white@0.95:x=${geo.titleX}:y=${geo.titleY}`;
+  const artistFontPart = opts.fontfileEscaped ? `:fontfile='${opts.fontfileEscaped}'` : "";
+  const titleUsesBoldFace = Boolean(layout.titleBold && opts.titleFontfileEscaped);
+  const titleFontPart = titleUsesBoldFace
+    ? `:fontfile='${opts.titleFontfileEscaped}'`
+    : artistFontPart;
+  // Faux-bold stroke when bold is requested but no bold TTF is available (custom/curated).
+  const titleFauxBold =
+    layout.titleBold && !titleUsesBoldFace ? `:borderw=1:bordercolor=white@0.95` : "";
+  const titleDraw = `drawtext=text='${opts.titleEscaped}'${titleFontPart}${titleFauxBold}:fontsize=${geo.titleFontSize}:fontcolor=white@0.95:x=${geo.titleX}:y=${geo.titleY}`;
   const artistDraw = opts.artistEscaped
-    ? `,drawtext=text='${opts.artistEscaped}'${fontPart}:fontsize=${geo.artistFontSize}:fontcolor=white@0.75:x=${geo.artistX}:y=${geo.artistY}`
+    ? `,drawtext=text='${opts.artistEscaped}'${artistFontPart}:fontsize=${geo.artistFontSize}:fontcolor=white@0.75:x=${geo.artistX}:y=${geo.artistY}`
     : "";
 
-  const parts: string[] = [`[0:v]split=2[bg][fg]`];
+  const separateBgIdx =
+    typeof opts.separateBackgroundInputIndex === "number" &&
+    Number.isFinite(opts.separateBackgroundInputIndex) &&
+    opts.separateBackgroundInputIndex >= 0
+      ? opts.separateBackgroundInputIndex
+      : null;
+
+  const parts: string[] = [];
+  const bgSrc = separateBgIdx !== null ? `[${separateBgIdx}:v]` : "[bg]";
+  if (separateBgIdx !== null) {
+    parts.push(
+      `[0:v]scale=${geo.coverMaxW}:${geo.coverMaxH}:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease[cover]`,
+    );
+  } else {
+    parts.push(`[0:v]split=2[bg][fg]`);
+    parts.push(
+      `[fg]scale=${geo.coverMaxW}:${geo.coverMaxH}:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease[cover]`,
+    );
+  }
 
   // Fade blurred fill toward black when opacity < 100%
+  if (opacity >= 0.999) {
+    parts.push(`${bgSrc}${bgChain}[blurred]`);
+  } else if (opacity <= 0.001) {
+    parts.push(`color=c=black:s=${W}x${H}:d=1[blurred]`);
+  } else {
+    const a = opacity.toFixed(3);
+    const b = (1 - opacity).toFixed(3);
+    parts.push(
+      `${bgSrc}${bgChain}[blur_raw]`,
+      `color=c=black:s=${W}x${H}:d=1[blk]`,
+      `[blur_raw][blk]blend=all_expr='A*${a}+B*${b}':shortest=1[blurred]`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  parts.push(
+    `[blurred][cover]overlay=${geo.coverX}:${geo.coverY}[composed]`,
+    `[composed]${titleDraw}${artistDraw}[laid]`,
+  );
+
+  return parts.join(";");
+}
+
+/**
+ * Classic letterbox with blurred cover fill (no on-video title/artist).
+ * Ends at `[laid]` — same convention as art-track for encode relabeling.
+ */
+export function buildClassicBlurFillFilterComplex(opts: {
+  width: number;
+  height: number;
+  blurAmount: number;
+  blurOpacity: number;
+}): string {
+  const { width: W, height: H } = opts;
+  const blurSeg = boxblurFilterSegment(opts.blurAmount);
+  const bgChain = blurSeg
+    ? `scale=${W}:${H}:force_original_aspect_ratio=increase,crop=${W}:${H},${blurSeg}`
+    : `scale=${W}:${H}:force_original_aspect_ratio=increase,crop=${W}:${H}`;
+  const opacity = clampBlurOpacity(opts.blurOpacity, BLUR_OPACITY_DEFAULT) / 100;
+
+  const parts: string[] = [
+    `[0:v]split=2[bg][fg]`,
+    `[fg]scale=${W}:${H}:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease[cover]`,
+  ];
+
   if (opacity >= 0.999) {
     parts.push(`[bg]${bgChain}[blurred]`);
   } else if (opacity <= 0.001) {
@@ -401,12 +571,7 @@ export function buildArtTrackFilterComplex(opts: {
     );
   }
 
-  parts.push(
-    `[fg]scale=${geo.coverMaxW}:${geo.coverMaxH}:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease[cover]`,
-    `[blurred][cover]overlay=${geo.coverX}:${geo.coverY}[composed]`,
-    `[composed]${titleDraw}${artistDraw}[laid]`,
-  );
-
+  parts.push(`[blurred][cover]overlay=(W-w)/2:(H-h)/2[laid]`);
   return parts.join(";");
 }
 
@@ -415,4 +580,74 @@ export const LAYOUT_TEMPLATE_LABELS: Record<LayoutTemplate, string> = {
   COVER_TOP_TEXT_BOTTOM: "Cover top · text bottom",
   COVER_RIGHT_TEXT_LEFT: "Cover right · text left",
   CENTERED_COMPACT: "Centered compact",
+  LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT: "Lower left · cover + text",
+  LOWER_RIGHT_COVER_TEXT: "Lower right · cover + text",
 };
+
+/** Composition picker families — mirrored pairs share one tile + variant toggles. */
+export type CompositionFamilyId =
+  | "classic"
+  | "side"
+  | "top"
+  | "centered"
+  | "lower";
+
+export type CompositionFamily = {
+  id: CompositionFamilyId;
+  /** Tile label in the composition grid. */
+  label: string;
+  /** Which thumb art to draw (null = classic letterbox). */
+  thumb: LayoutTemplate | null;
+  /** Templates in this family; length > 1 shows variant toggles when selected. */
+  variants: LayoutTemplate[];
+  /** Default when first selecting the family. */
+  defaultTemplate: LayoutTemplate | null;
+};
+
+export const COMPOSITION_FAMILIES: readonly CompositionFamily[] = [
+  {
+    id: "classic",
+    label: "Classic letterbox",
+    thumb: null,
+    variants: [],
+    defaultTemplate: null,
+  },
+  {
+    id: "side",
+    label: "Cover beside text",
+    thumb: "COVER_LEFT_TEXT_RIGHT",
+    variants: ["COVER_LEFT_TEXT_RIGHT", "COVER_RIGHT_TEXT_LEFT"],
+    defaultTemplate: "COVER_LEFT_TEXT_RIGHT",
+  },
+  {
+    id: "top",
+    label: "Cover top · text bottom",
+    thumb: "COVER_TOP_TEXT_BOTTOM",
+    variants: ["COVER_TOP_TEXT_BOTTOM"],
+    defaultTemplate: "COVER_TOP_TEXT_BOTTOM",
+  },
+  {
+    id: "centered",
+    label: "Centered compact",
+    thumb: "CENTERED_COMPACT",
+    variants: ["CENTERED_COMPACT"],
+    defaultTemplate: "CENTERED_COMPACT",
+  },
+  {
+    id: "lower",
+    label: "Lower corner · cover + text",
+    thumb: "LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT",
+    variants: ["LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT", "LOWER_RIGHT_COVER_TEXT"],
+    defaultTemplate: "LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT",
+  },
+] as const;
+
+export function compositionFamilyForTemplate(
+  template: LayoutTemplate | null,
+): CompositionFamily {
+  if (template === null) return COMPOSITION_FAMILIES[0]!;
+  const found = COMPOSITION_FAMILIES.find((f) =>
+    f.variants.includes(template),
+  );
+  return found ?? COMPOSITION_FAMILIES[0]!;
+}
diff --git a/lib/preview-typography.ts b/lib/preview-typography.ts
index d4ac1bf..07739c8 100644
--- a/lib/preview-typography.ts
+++ b/lib/preview-typography.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  */
 
 import type { WatermarkFontKey } from "./fonts";
-import { CURATED_FONTS } from "./fonts";
+import { CURATED_FONTS, SYSTEM_FONT } from "./fonts";
 
 /** Matches LayoutStudio max preview width (tailwind max-w-xl ≈ 576px; use 576 for scaling). */
 export const PREVIEW_REFERENCE_WIDTH = 576;
@@ -29,13 +29,13 @@ export function scaleFontToPreview(fontPx: number, encodeWidth: number): number
 
 export function previewFontFamilyCss(fontKey: WatermarkFontKey | undefined): string {
   if (!fontKey || fontKey === "system") {
-    return "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif";
+    return `'${SYSTEM_FONT.previewFamily}', sans-serif`;
   }
   if (fontKey === "custom") {
-    return "'S2VIDCustomWm', Arial, sans-serif";
+    return "'S2VIDCustomWm', sans-serif";
   }
   const meta = CURATED_FONTS.find((f) => f.key === fontKey);
-  return meta ? `'S2VIDPreview-${meta.key}', Arial, sans-serif` : "Arial, sans-serif";
+  return meta ? `'S2VIDPreview-${meta.key}', sans-serif` : "sans-serif";
 }
 
 export function curatedFontApiUrl(key: string): string {
diff --git a/lib/types.ts b/lib/types.ts
index 2c395ca..4da05c7 100644
--- a/lib/types.ts
+++ b/lib/types.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@ export type ItemMetadata = {
    * When omitted, the job-level shared imagePath is used.
    */
   imagePath?: string | null;
+  /**
+   * Optional full-frame background for LOWER_LEFT / LOWER_RIGHT templates.
+   * Blur/opacity apply to this image; cover stays the sharp corner square.
+   */
+  backgroundImagePath?: string | null;
+  background_image_path?: string | null;
   /** Custom branding watermark settings. */
   watermark?: Partial<WatermarkSettings> | null;
   /** Artist line for art-track layouts (on-video only). */
@@ -31,20 +37,27 @@ export type ItemMetadata = {
   /**
    * Art-track layout. Prefer camelCase; snake_case aliases accepted:
    * layout_template, blur_amount, text_padding.
+   * `template`: COVER_LEFT_TEXT_RIGHT | COVER_TOP_TEXT_BOTTOM |
+   * COVER_RIGHT_TEXT_LEFT | CENTERED_COMPACT | LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT |
+   * LOWER_RIGHT_COVER_TEXT (also listed on GET /api/v1 → layoutTemplates).
    */
   layout?: Partial<LayoutSettings> & {
     layoutTemplate?: string | null;
     layout_template?: string | null;
+    blur_fill?: boolean;
     blur_amount?: number;
     blur_opacity?: number;
     text_padding?: number;
     title_artist_gap?: number;
     text_offset_x?: number;
     text_offset_y?: number;
+    title_bold?: boolean;
   } | null;
   /** Flat aliases (also accepted). */
   layoutTemplate?: string | null;
   layout_template?: string | null;
+  blurFill?: boolean;
+  blur_fill?: boolean;
   blurAmount?: number;
   blur_amount?: number;
   blurOpacity?: number;
@@ -57,6 +70,8 @@ export type ItemMetadata = {
   text_offset_x?: number;
   textOffsetY?: number;
   text_offset_y?: number;
+  titleBold?: boolean;
+  title_bold?: boolean;
 };
 
 export type UploadedAudio = {
diff --git a/prisma/migrations/20260806220000_add_background_image_path/migration.sql b/prisma/migrations/20260806220000_add_background_image_path/migration.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9a09c2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/prisma/migrations/20260806220000_add_background_image_path/migration.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+-- AlterTable
+ALTER TABLE "JobItem" ADD COLUMN "backgroundImagePath" TEXT;
diff --git a/prisma/migrations/20260806230000_add_blur_fill/migration.sql b/prisma/migrations/20260806230000_add_blur_fill/migration.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ac8fcd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/prisma/migrations/20260806230000_add_blur_fill/migration.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+-- AlterTable
+ALTER TABLE "JobItem" ADD COLUMN "blurFill" BOOLEAN NOT NULL DEFAULT false;
diff --git a/prisma/schema.prisma b/prisma/schema.prisma
index 5579a3e..dc58c8e 100644
--- a/prisma/schema.prisma
+++ b/prisma/schema.prisma
@@ -82,6 +82,8 @@ model JobItem {
   creativeCommons   Boolean       @default(false)
   includeWatermark  Boolean       @default(false)
   itemImagePath     String?
+  /// Optional full-frame background for lower-corner layouts (blur fill). Cover stays foreground.
+  backgroundImagePath String?
   watermarkMode     String        @default("none")
   watermarkText     String?
   watermarkLogoPath String?
@@ -93,10 +95,13 @@ model JobItem {
   artist            String?
   songTitle         String?
   layoutTemplate    String?
+  /// Classic letterbox: fill black bars with blurred cover
+  blurFill          Boolean       @default(false)
   blurAmount        Int           @default(55)
   blurOpacity       Int           @default(100)
   textPadding       Int           @default(48)
   titleArtistGap    Int           @default(10)
+  titleBold         Boolean       @default(true)
   textOffsetX       Int           @default(0)
   textOffsetY       Int           @default(0)
   playlistId        String?
diff --git a/scripts/fetch-watermark-fonts.mjs b/scripts/fetch-watermark-fonts.mjs
index bd68a02..e162db5 100644
--- a/scripts/fetch-watermark-fonts.mjs
+++ b/scripts/fetch-watermark-fonts.mjs
@@ -9,8 +9,17 @@ import { fileURLToPath } from "url";
 const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
 const outDir = path.join(__dirname, "..", "assets", "fonts");
 
-/** Direct TTF URLs from Google Fonts GitHub (OFL). */
+/** Direct TTF URLs from Google Fonts GitHub (OFL / Apache 2.0). */
 const FONTS = [
+  {
+    file: "Arimo-Regular.ttf",
+    // Static TTF from googlefonts/arimo (not the broken google/fonts apache/static path)
+    url: "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/googlefonts/arimo@main/fonts/ttf/Arimo-Regular.ttf",
+  },
+  {
+    file: "Arimo-Bold.ttf",
+    url: "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/googlefonts/arimo@main/fonts/ttf/Arimo-Bold.ttf",
+  },
   {
     file: "Inter-Regular.ttf",
     url: "https://github.com/google/fonts/raw/main/ofl/inter/Inter%5Bopsz%2Cwght%5D.ttf",
@@ -35,12 +44,22 @@ const FONTS = [
 
 await fs.mkdir(outDir, { recursive: true });
 
+function looksLikeFont(buf) {
+  if (buf.length < 4) return false;
+  const asStr = buf.subarray(0, 4).toString("ascii");
+  if (asStr === "OTTO" || asStr === "true" || asStr === "typ1") return true;
+  return buf[0] === 0x00 && buf[1] === 0x01 && buf[2] === 0x00 && buf[3] === 0x00;
+}
+
 for (const font of FONTS) {
   const dest = path.join(outDir, font.file);
   try {
-    await fs.access(dest);
-    console.log("skip (exists)", font.file);
-    continue;
+    const existing = await fs.readFile(dest);
+    if (looksLikeFont(existing)) {
+      console.log("skip (exists)", font.file);
+      continue;
+    }
+    console.warn("corrupt font, re-fetching", font.file);
   } catch {
     /* download */
   }
@@ -54,6 +73,10 @@ for (const font of FONTS) {
     continue;
   }
   const buf = Buffer.from(await res.arrayBuffer());
+  if (!looksLikeFont(buf)) {
+    console.error("FAILED invalid font bytes", font.file, buf.subarray(0, 8).toString("hex"));
+    continue;
+  }
   await fs.writeFile(dest, buf);
   console.log("wrote", font.file, buf.length, "bytes");
 }
diff --git a/scripts/generate-watermark-png.mjs b/scripts/generate-watermark-png.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a151214
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/generate-watermark-png.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+/**
+ * Build assets/watermark.png for the default Songs2VID badge overlay.
+ * Uses bundled Arimo + FFmpeg (same toolchain as video encode).
+ *
+ * Run: node scripts/generate-watermark-png.mjs
+ */
+import { spawnSync } from "child_process";
+import fs from "fs";
+import path from "path";
+import { fileURLToPath } from "url";
+import ffmpegStatic from "ffmpeg-static";
+
+const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
+const root = path.join(__dirname, "..");
+const fontPath = path.join(root, "assets", "fonts", "Arimo-Regular.ttf");
+const outPath = path.join(root, "assets", "watermark.png");
+
+function ffmpegPath() {
+  return process.env.FFMPEG_PATH || ffmpegStatic || "ffmpeg";
+}
+
+function escFont(p) {
+  return p.replace(/\\/g, "/").replace(/:/g, "\\:");
+}
+
+if (!fs.existsSync(fontPath)) {
+  console.error("Missing font:", fontPath, "— run node scripts/fetch-watermark-fonts.mjs first");
+  process.exit(1);
+}
+
+const font = escFont(fontPath);
+const w = 960;
+const h = 88;
+const filter = [
+  `[0:v]format=rgba,drawbox=x=0:y=0:w=iw:h=ih:color=0x000000@0.45:t=fill`,
+  `drawtext=fontfile='${font}':text='Uploaded through Songs2VID.com':fontsize=32:fontcolor=white@0.92:x=(w-text_w)/2:y=(h-th)/2`,
+].join(",");
+
+const args = [
+  "-y",
+  "-f",
+  "lavfi",
+  "-i",
+  `color=c=black@0.0:s=${w}x${h}`,
+  "-vf",
+  filter,
+  "-update",
+  "1",
+  outPath,
+];
+
+const res = spawnSync(ffmpegPath(), args, { stdio: "inherit" });
+if (res.status !== 0) {
+  process.exit(res.status ?? 1);
+}
+
+console.log("wrote", outPath, fs.statSync(outPath).size, "bytes");
diff --git a/scripts/layout.test.ts b/scripts/layout.test.ts
index 86b51c9..75b894b 100644
--- a/scripts/layout.test.ts
+++ b/scripts/layout.test.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import {
   blurToBoxblur,
   boxblurFilterSegment,
   buildArtTrackFilterComplex,
+  buildClassicBlurFillFilterComplex,
   clampBlurAmount,
   clampTextPadding,
   clampTitleArtistGap,
@@ -32,8 +33,22 @@ function testEnumsAndClamp() {
 function testNormalize() {
   const classic = normalizeLayoutSettings(null);
   assert.equal(classic.template, null);
+  assert.equal(classic.blurFill, false);
   assert.equal(classic.titleArtistGap, 10);
   assert.equal(classic.textOffsetX, 0);
+  assert.equal(classic.titleBold, true);
+
+  assert.equal(
+    normalizeLayoutSettings({ blur_fill: true }).blurFill,
+    true,
+  );
+  assert.equal(
+    normalizeLayoutSettings({
+      template: "CENTERED_COMPACT",
+      blurFill: true,
+    }).blurFill,
+    false,
+  );
 
   assert.equal(
     normalizeLayoutSettings({
@@ -75,26 +90,117 @@ function testGeometryAndFilter() {
   const tight = computeLayoutGeometry("COVER_LEFT_TEXT_RIGHT", 1280, 720, 40, 0, 0, 0);
   assert.ok(Number(withGap.artistY) - Number(withGap.titleY) > Number(tight.artistY) - Number(tight.titleY));
 
+  const lowerLeft = computeLayoutGeometry("LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT", 1280, 720, 48, 10, 0, 0);
+  assert.equal(lowerLeft.coverX, "48");
+  assert.equal(lowerLeft.coverY, "H-h-48");
+  assert.ok(Number(lowerLeft.titleX) > Number(lowerLeft.coverX));
+  assert.ok(Number(lowerLeft.titleY) > 300, "title should sit in the lower half with the cover");
+
+  const lowerRight = computeLayoutGeometry("LOWER_RIGHT_COVER_TEXT", 1280, 720, 48, 10, 0, 0);
+  assert.equal(lowerRight.coverX, "W-w-48");
+  assert.equal(lowerRight.coverY, "H-h-48");
+  assert.ok(String(lowerRight.titleX).startsWith("W-text_w-"));
+
   const fc = buildArtTrackFilterComplex({
     width: 1280,
     height: 720,
     layout: {
       template: "CENTERED_COMPACT",
+      blurFill: false,
       blurAmount: 40,
       blurOpacity: 70,
       textPadding: 40,
       titleArtistGap: 18,
       textOffsetX: 5,
       textOffsetY: -8,
+      titleBold: true,
     },
     titleEscaped: sanitizeDrawtext("Hello:World"),
     artistEscaped: sanitizeDrawtext("Artist"),
+    fontfileEscaped: null,
+    titleFontfileEscaped: "C\\:/fonts/Arimo-Bold.ttf",
   });
   assert.ok(fc.includes("split=2"));
   assert.ok(fc.includes("blend=") || fc.includes("[blurred]"));
   assert.ok(fc.includes("overlay="));
   assert.ok(fc.includes("drawtext="));
+  assert.ok(fc.includes("fontfile='C\\:/fonts/Arimo-Bold.ttf'"));
   assert.ok(fc.endsWith("[laid]"));
+
+  const regular = buildArtTrackFilterComplex({
+    width: 1280,
+    height: 720,
+    layout: {
+      template: "CENTERED_COMPACT",
+      blurFill: false,
+      blurAmount: 40,
+      blurOpacity: 70,
+      textPadding: 40,
+      titleArtistGap: 18,
+      textOffsetX: 0,
+      textOffsetY: 0,
+      titleBold: false,
+    },
+    titleEscaped: "Hi",
+    artistEscaped: null,
+    fontfileEscaped: "C\\:/fonts/Arimo-Regular.ttf",
+  });
+  assert.ok(regular.includes("fontfile='C\\:/fonts/Arimo-Regular.ttf'"));
+  assert.equal(regular.includes("borderw="), false);
+
+  const withSeparateBg = buildArtTrackFilterComplex({
+    width: 1280,
+    height: 720,
+    layout: {
+      template: "LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT",
+      blurFill: false,
+      blurAmount: 40,
+      blurOpacity: 100,
+      textPadding: 48,
+      titleArtistGap: 10,
+      textOffsetX: 0,
+      textOffsetY: 0,
+      titleBold: true,
+    },
+    titleEscaped: "Song",
+    artistEscaped: "Artist",
+    separateBackgroundInputIndex: 2,
+  });
+  assert.equal(withSeparateBg.includes("[0:v]split=2"), false);
+  assert.ok(withSeparateBg.includes("[2:v]"));
+  assert.ok(withSeparateBg.includes("[0:v]scale="));
+  assert.ok(withSeparateBg.includes("overlay="));
+
+  const withoutSeparateBg = buildArtTrackFilterComplex({
+    width: 1280,
+    height: 720,
+    layout: {
+      template: "LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT",
+      blurFill: false,
+      blurAmount: 40,
+      blurOpacity: 100,
+      textPadding: 48,
+      titleArtistGap: 10,
+      textOffsetX: 0,
+      textOffsetY: 0,
+      titleBold: true,
+    },
+    titleEscaped: "Song",
+    artistEscaped: null,
+  });
+  assert.ok(withoutSeparateBg.includes("[0:v]split=2"));
+
+  const classicBlur = buildClassicBlurFillFilterComplex({
+    width: 1280,
+    height: 720,
+    blurAmount: 55,
+    blurOpacity: 100,
+  });
+  assert.ok(classicBlur.includes("[0:v]split=2"));
+  assert.ok(classicBlur.includes("overlay=(W-w)/2:(H-h)/2"));
+  assert.equal(classicBlur.includes("pad="), false);
+  assert.equal(classicBlur.includes("drawtext="), false);
+  assert.ok(classicBlur.endsWith("[laid]"));
 }
 
 testEnumsAndClamp();
diff --git a/worker/index.ts b/worker/index.ts
index 922571e..8d2519c 100644
--- a/worker/index.ts
+++ b/worker/index.ts
@@ -70,21 +70,25 @@ async function processJobItem(data: VideoJobData) {
       includeWatermark: item.includeWatermark,
       songTitle: item.songTitle || item.title,
       artist: item.artist,
-      layout: item.layoutTemplate
-        ? {
-            template: item.layoutTemplate as
+      layout: {
+            template: (item.layoutTemplate as
               | "COVER_LEFT_TEXT_RIGHT"
               | "COVER_TOP_TEXT_BOTTOM"
               | "COVER_RIGHT_TEXT_LEFT"
-              | "CENTERED_COMPACT",
+              | "CENTERED_COMPACT"
+              | "LOWER_LEFT_COVER_TEXT"
+              | "LOWER_RIGHT_COVER_TEXT"
+              | null) ?? null,
+            blurFill: item.blurFill ?? false,
             blurAmount: item.blurAmount ?? 55,
             blurOpacity: item.blurOpacity ?? 100,
             textPadding: item.textPadding ?? 48,
             titleArtistGap: item.titleArtistGap ?? 10,
+            titleBold: item.titleBold ?? true,
             textOffsetX: item.textOffsetX ?? 0,
             textOffsetY: item.textOffsetY ?? 0,
-          }
-        : null,
+          },
+      backgroundImagePath: item.backgroundImagePath,
       watermark: {
         mode: (item.watermarkMode as "none" | "default" | "text" | "logo") || "default",
         text: item.watermarkText,