diff --git a/src/eval/template.rs b/src/eval/template.rs
index 2df347aad..6c1223cb1 100644
--- a/src/eval/template.rs
+++ b/src/eval/template.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use crate::geom::{Align, Dir, GenAxis, Length, Linear, Sides, Size};
 use crate::layout::{Layout, PackedNode};
 use crate::library::{
     Decoration, DocumentNode, FlowChild, FlowNode, PadNode, PageNode, ParChild, ParNode,
-    Spacing,
+    PlacedNode, Spacing,
 };
 use crate::style::Style;
 use crate::util::EcoString;
@@ -331,15 +331,21 @@ impl Builder {
     }
 
     /// Push an inline node into the active paragraph.
-    fn inline(&mut self, node: impl Into<PackedNode>) {
+    fn inline(&mut self, node: PackedNode) {
         self.flow.par.push(ParChild::Node(node.into()));
     }
 
     /// Push a block node into the active flow, finishing the active paragraph.
-    fn block(&mut self, node: impl Into<PackedNode>) {
-        self.parbreak();
-        self.flow.push(FlowChild::Node(node.into()));
+    fn block(&mut self, node: PackedNode) {
         self.parbreak();
+        let in_flow = node.downcast::<PlacedNode>().is_none();
+        self.flow.push(FlowChild::Node(node));
+        if in_flow {
+            self.parbreak();
+        } else {
+            // This prevents duplicate paragraph spacing around placed nodes.
+            self.flow.last = Last::None;
+        }
     }
 
     /// Push spacing into the active paragraph or flow depending on the `axis`.
diff --git a/src/layout/mod.rs b/src/layout/mod.rs
index 33502fffa..3ac327228 100644
--- a/src/layout/mod.rs
+++ b/src/layout/mod.rs
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ use crate::font::FontStore;
 use crate::frame::Frame;
 use crate::geom::{Align, Linear, Spec};
 use crate::image::ImageStore;
-use crate::library::{AlignNode, DocumentNode, SizedNode};
+use crate::library::{AlignNode, DocumentNode, MoveNode, SizedNode};
 use crate::Context;
 
 /// Layout a document node into a collection of frames.
@@ -104,21 +104,27 @@ impl PackedNode {
     }
 
     /// Force a size for this node.
-    pub fn sized(self, width: Option<Linear>, height: Option<Linear>) -> PackedNode {
-        if width.is_some() || height.is_some() {
-            Layout::pack(SizedNode {
-                child: self,
-                sizing: Spec::new(width, height),
-            })
+    pub fn sized(self, w: Option<Linear>, h: Option<Linear>) -> Self {
+        if w.is_some() || h.is_some() {
+            SizedNode { child: self, sizing: Spec::new(w, h) }.pack()
         } else {
             self
         }
     }
 
     /// Set alignments for this node.
-    pub fn aligned(self, x: Option<Align>, y: Option<Align>) -> PackedNode {
+    pub fn aligned(self, x: Option<Align>, y: Option<Align>) -> Self {
         if x.is_some() || y.is_some() {
-            Layout::pack(AlignNode { child: self, aligns: Spec::new(x, y) })
+            AlignNode { child: self, aligns: Spec::new(x, y) }.pack()
+        } else {
+            self
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Move this node's contents without affecting layout.
+    pub fn moved(self, dx: Option<Linear>, dy: Option<Linear>) -> Self {
+        if dx.is_some() || dy.is_some() {
+            MoveNode { child: self, offset: Spec::new(dx, dy) }.pack()
         } else {
             self
         }
diff --git a/src/library/align.rs b/src/library/align.rs
index 591a40857..19c52f987 100644
--- a/src/library/align.rs
+++ b/src/library/align.rs
@@ -2,6 +2,20 @@ use super::prelude::*;
 
 /// `align`: Configure the alignment along the layouting axes.
 pub fn align(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
+    let Spec { x, y } = parse_aligns(args)?;
+    let body = args.expect::<Template>("body")?;
+    Ok(Value::Template(Template::from_block(move |style| {
+        let mut style = style.clone();
+        if let Some(x) = x {
+            style.par_mut().align = x;
+        }
+
+        body.pack(&style).aligned(x, y)
+    })))
+}
+
+/// Parse alignment arguments with shorthand.
+pub(super) fn parse_aligns(args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Spec<Option<Align>>> {
     let mut x = args.named("horizontal")?;
     let mut y = args.named("vertical")?;
     for Spanned { v, span } in args.all::<Spanned<Align>>() {
@@ -11,17 +25,7 @@ pub fn align(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
             _ => bail!(span, "unexpected argument"),
         }
     }
-
-    let body = args.expect::<Template>("body")?;
-
-    Ok(Value::Template(Template::from_block(move |style| {
-        let mut style = style.clone();
-        if let Some(x) = x {
-            style.par_mut().align = x;
-        }
-
-        body.pack(&style).aligned(x, y)
-    })))
+    Ok(Spec::new(x, y))
 }
 
 /// A node that aligns its child.
diff --git a/src/library/flow.rs b/src/library/flow.rs
index f58df5364..185e60bb0 100644
--- a/src/library/flow.rs
+++ b/src/library/flow.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use std::fmt::{self, Debug, Formatter};
 
 use super::prelude::*;
-use super::{AlignNode, ParNode, Spacing};
+use super::{AlignNode, ParNode, PlacedNode, Spacing};
 
 /// `flow`: A vertical flow of paragraphs and other layout nodes.
 pub fn flow(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
@@ -101,7 +101,9 @@ enum FlowItem {
     Absolute(Length),
     /// Fractional spacing between other items.
     Fractional(Fractional),
-    /// A layouted child node and how to align it vertically.
+    /// A frame to be placed directly at the origin.
+    Placed(Rc<Frame>),
+    /// A frame for a layouted child node and how to align it.
     Frame(Rc<Frame>, Spec<Align>),
 }
 
@@ -157,13 +159,27 @@ impl<'a> FlowLayouter<'a> {
 
     /// Layout a node.
     fn layout_node(&mut self, ctx: &mut LayoutContext, node: &PackedNode) {
+        // Placed nodes with vertical alignment are handled separately
+        // because their position shouldn't depend on other flow elements.
+        if let Some(placed) = node.downcast::<PlacedNode>() {
+            if let Some(aligned) = placed.child.downcast::<AlignNode>() {
+                if aligned.aligns.y.is_some() {
+                    let base = self.regions.base;
+                    let pod = Regions::one(base, base, Spec::splat(true));
+                    let frame = placed.layout(ctx, &pod).remove(0);
+                    self.items.push(FlowItem::Placed(frame.item));
+                    return;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
         let aligns = Spec::new(
             // For non-expanding paragraphs it is crucial that we align the
             // whole paragraph according to its internal alignment.
-            node.downcast::<ParNode>().map_or(Align::Left, |node| node.align),
+            node.downcast::<ParNode>().map_or(Align::Left, |par| par.align),
             // Vertical align node alignment is respected by the flow node.
             node.downcast::<AlignNode>()
-                .and_then(|node| node.aligns.y)
+                .and_then(|aligned| aligned.aligns.y)
                 .unwrap_or(Align::Top),
         );
 
@@ -207,8 +223,15 @@ impl<'a> FlowLayouter<'a> {
         // Place all frames.
         for item in self.items.drain(..) {
             match item {
-                FlowItem::Absolute(v) => before += v,
-                FlowItem::Fractional(v) => before += v.resolve(self.fr, remaining),
+                FlowItem::Absolute(v) => {
+                    before += v;
+                }
+                FlowItem::Fractional(v) => {
+                    before += v.resolve(self.fr, remaining);
+                }
+                FlowItem::Placed(frame) => {
+                    output.push_frame(Point::zero(), frame);
+                }
                 FlowItem::Frame(frame, aligns) => {
                     ruler = ruler.max(aligns.y);
 
diff --git a/src/library/mod.rs b/src/library/mod.rs
index 4f33b7154..7b8acf9ec 100644
--- a/src/library/mod.rs
+++ b/src/library/mod.rs
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ mod image;
 mod pad;
 mod page;
 mod par;
+mod placed;
 mod shape;
 mod sized;
 mod spacing;
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ pub use grid::*;
 pub use pad::*;
 pub use page::*;
 pub use par::*;
+pub use placed::*;
 pub use shape::*;
 pub use sized::*;
 pub use spacing::*;
@@ -71,13 +73,14 @@ pub fn new() -> Scope {
     std.def_func("pagebreak", pagebreak);
     std.def_func("h", h);
     std.def_func("v", v);
-    std.def_func("align", align);
     std.def_func("box", box_);
     std.def_func("block", block);
     std.def_func("flow", flow);
-    std.def_func("pad", pad);
+    std.def_func("align", align);
+    std.def_func("place", place);
     std.def_func("move", move_);
     std.def_func("stack", stack);
+    std.def_func("pad", pad);
     std.def_func("grid", grid);
 
     // Elements.
diff --git a/src/library/placed.rs b/src/library/placed.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0d92fc350
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/library/placed.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+use super::parse_aligns;
+use super::prelude::*;
+
+/// `place`: Place content at an absolute position.
+pub fn place(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
+    let Spec { x, y } = parse_aligns(args)?;
+    let dx = args.named("dx")?;
+    let dy = args.named("dy")?;
+    let body: Template = args.expect("body")?;
+    Ok(Value::Template(Template::from_block(move |style| {
+        PlacedNode {
+            child: body
+                .pack(style)
+                .moved(dx, dy)
+                .aligned(Some(x.unwrap_or(Align::Left)), y),
+        }
+    })))
+}
+
+/// A node that places its child out-of-flow.
+#[derive(Debug, Hash)]
+pub struct PlacedNode {
+    /// The node to be placed.
+    pub child: PackedNode,
+}
+
+impl Layout for PlacedNode {
+    fn layout(
+        &self,
+        ctx: &mut LayoutContext,
+        regions: &Regions,
+    ) -> Vec<Constrained<Rc<Frame>>> {
+        let mut frames = self.child.layout(ctx, regions);
+        for frame in frames.iter_mut() {
+            Rc::make_mut(&mut frame.item).size = Size::zero();
+        }
+        frames
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/library/stack.rs b/src/library/stack.rs
index 7ac7e6ee6..cc02592f4 100644
--- a/src/library/stack.rs
+++ b/src/library/stack.rs
@@ -223,8 +223,12 @@ impl<'a> StackLayouter<'a> {
         // Place all frames.
         for item in self.items.drain(..) {
             match item {
-                StackItem::Absolute(v) => before += v,
-                StackItem::Fractional(v) => before += v.resolve(self.fr, remaining),
+                StackItem::Absolute(v) => {
+                    before += v;
+                }
+                StackItem::Fractional(v) => {
+                    before += v.resolve(self.fr, remaining);
+                }
                 StackItem::Frame(frame, align) => {
                     ruler = ruler.max(align);
 
@@ -240,9 +244,8 @@ impl<'a> StackLayouter<'a> {
                         after .. parent - before_with_self
                     });
 
-                    before += child;
-
                     let pos = Gen::new(Length::zero(), block).to_point(self.axis);
+                    before += child;
                     output.push_frame(pos, frame);
                 }
             }
diff --git a/src/library/transform.rs b/src/library/transform.rs
index d0a276229..ef9caf2e8 100644
--- a/src/library/transform.rs
+++ b/src/library/transform.rs
@@ -2,22 +2,21 @@ use super::prelude::*;
 
 /// `move`: Move content without affecting layout.
 pub fn move_(_: &mut EvalContext, args: &mut Args) -> TypResult<Value> {
-    let x = args.named("x")?;
-    let y = args.named("y")?;
+    let dx = args.named("dx")?;
+    let dy = args.named("dy")?;
     let body: Template = args.expect("body")?;
-
     Ok(Value::Template(Template::from_inline(move |style| {
-        MoveNode {
-            offset: Spec::new(x, y),
-            child: body.pack(style),
-        }
+        body.pack(style).moved(dx, dy)
     })))
 }
 
+/// A node that moves its child without affecting layout.
 #[derive(Debug, Hash)]
-struct MoveNode {
-    offset: Spec<Option<Linear>>,
-    child: PackedNode,
+pub struct MoveNode {
+    /// The node whose contents should be moved.
+    pub child: PackedNode,
+    /// How much to move the contents.
+    pub offset: Spec<Option<Linear>>,
 }
 
 impl Layout for MoveNode {
diff --git a/tests/ref/layout/placed.png b/tests/ref/layout/placed.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..10a0bfd47
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/ref/layout/placed.png differ
diff --git a/tests/typ/layout/move.typ b/tests/typ/layout/move.typ
index c1f97e159..a7cdf3681 100644
--- a/tests/typ/layout/move.typ
+++ b/tests/typ/layout/move.typ
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #let tex = [{
   [T]
   h(-0.14 * size)
-  move(y: 0.22 * size)[E]
+  move(dy: 0.22 * size)[E]
   h(-0.12 * size)
   [X]
 }]
diff --git a/tests/typ/layout/placed.typ b/tests/typ/layout/placed.typ
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..41431dee9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/typ/layout/placed.typ
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#page("a8")
+#place(bottom, center)[© Typst]
+
+= Placement
+#place(right, image("../../res/tiger.jpg", width: 1.8cm))
+Hi there. This is \
+a placed node. \
+Unfortunately, \
+the line breaks still had to be inserted manually.
+
+#stack(
+  rect(fill: eastern, height: 10pt),
+  place(right, dy: 1.5pt)[ABC],
+  rect(fill: conifer, height: 10pt, width: 80%),
+  rect(fill: forest, height: 10pt),
+)
+
+#block[
+  #place(center, dx: -7pt, dy: -5pt)[Hello]
+  #place(center, dx: 7pt, dy: 5pt)[Hello]
+  Hello #h(1fr) Hello
+]