Is there a smarter way to draw text with an outline ? def outline_text(ctx, x, y, txt): ctx.set_source_rgba(1, 1, 1, 1) for _x in (x-1, x+1): for _y in (y-1, y+1): ctx.move_to(_x, _y) ctx.show_text(txt) ctx.stroke() ctx.set_source_rgba(0, 0, 0, 1) ctx.move_to(x, y) ctx.show_text(txt) ctx.stroke() Simon.