I want to overlap labels; is it possible?

[ChristopherTalbot]

Hello, 

I would like the labels to overlap but cannot figure out how to get arc to cooperate. 

I would like the larger labels to place over the top of the smaller; then I will make transparent. 

I tried many combinations of placement, priority and, weights with similar result. *Please see below*

some of the labels successfully squeeze around and some just will not show. It seems there is  a minimum font size as well- 1pt- is it not possible to make smaller than 1?

 is there a way to let these labels overlap?

any other ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated

Thank you in advance

Sincerely, 

[Robert_LeClair · Accepted solution]

What I would do is for the larger labels in your images is convert those to an annotation feature class.  As an anno feature class, you can edit/move/set a transparency for that layer.  For the layer with smaller fonts, keep that as label property and keep the annotation feature weight zero.  That should work.

[JesseWickizer · Accepted solution]

Use the Background label property for one of your label classes to have them placed first and allow other labels to be placed overlapping them. 

[ChristopherTalbot]

Thank you all for the excellent ideas!

The Background label worked perfectly