diff --git a/src/tmpl/default.php b/src/tmpl/default.php
index 8720a9c..5c1b96d 100644
--- a/src/tmpl/default.php
+++ b/src/tmpl/default.php
@@ -62,7 +62,10 @@ $overlayDirections = [
 	'gradient-right'  => 'to right',
 ];
 
-if ($overlayType !== 'solid' && isset($overlayDirections[$overlayType])) {
+// Skip overlay on solid colour/gradient modes — background is already a controlled design choice
+if ($heroMode === 'color' || $heroMode === 'gradient') {
+	$overlayBg = '';
+} elseif ($overlayType !== 'solid' && isset($overlayDirections[$overlayType])) {
 	$dir = $overlayDirections[$overlayType];
 	$overlayBg = "background: linear-gradient($dir, $rgbaTransparent, $rgbaOpaque);";
 } else {