Use GetDesktopWindow and GetWindowDC functions to find attributes of desktop for further using. And set background mode by using GetBKMode function.
procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject); var Desktop: THandle; MyCanvas: TCanvas; DesktopDC: HDC; begin Desktop:=GetDesktopWindow; DesktopDC:=GetWindowDC(Desktop); MyCanvas:=TCanvas.Create; MyCanvas.Handle:=DesktopDC; SetBkMode(MyCanvas.Handle, TRANSPARENT); MyCanvas.TextOut(10,10, 'Hello'); end;