Specular Text Sweep

About this text effect

The difference between text that shines and text with a shine slid over it is one property. Clipping the gradient to the glyphs with `background-clip: text` means the highlight can only exist where ink exists, so the counters of letters and the gaps between them stay dark and the word reads as lit metal. Overlay the same white gradient on top instead and it lights the holes too, which is why that version always looks like a rectangle passing behind glass. Stacking two background layers does the rest: a narrow travelling band for the specular highlight, and a static grey-to-near-white gradient underneath standing in for the material itself — without that second layer there is nothing for the light to be reflecting off, and the effect reads as a flashlight on flat type. The whole thing animates `background-position` only, which the compositor handles, so it is effectively free despite running continuously. Keep it to one headline; the effect is pure ornament and stops reading as luxury the moment it repeats.