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How to Make a Custom YouTube Banner
Your YouTube channel banner is the first thing viewers see when they visit your channel, making it a crucial element in representing your brand and setting the tone for your content. A great YouTube banner image can attract viewers looking for content like yours. In this guide, we'll explore two ways to create a YouTube banner: diving into Adobe Photoshop or taking the swift route with our YouTube banner maker.
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Video Tutorial: Creating Your YouTube Banner
Check out our video tutorial below for a step-by-step guide to creating your own awesome YouTube banner! This video covers both the Photoshop method and the quick and easy banner maker option.
Table of Contents
- YouTube Banner Requirements
- Need it Now? Use Our Banner Maker
- Creating a YouTube Banner with Photoshop
- Uploading Your Banner to YouTube
- Conclusion
YouTube Banner Requirements
Before we unleash our inner design gurus, let's review YouTube's banner guidelines. These are the rules to ensure your banner looks its best across all devices:
- Recommended dimensions: 2560 x 1440 pixels
- Safe area: safe area for text and logos: 1235 x 338 pixels (the region with the highest visibility on all devices)
- Maximum file size: 6MB
For a more comprehensive look at the rules, check out YouTube's official guidelines.
Need it Now? Use Our Banner Maker
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Want a visually stunning YouTube banner but short on time? Our YouTube Banner Maker is here to help. With a range of customizable templates, you can create a professional-looking banner in a snap, even without design skills.
Creating a YouTube Banner with Photoshop
For those ready for a design adventure, Adobe Photoshop offers everything you need to make a truly awesome and unique banner. Let's get started.
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1. Create a New Document
- Open Adobe Photoshop.
- Go to File > New.
- Set the dimensions to Width: 2560 pixels and Height: 1440 pixels.
- Set the resolution to 72.
- Give your document a name (optional) and click Create.
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2. Fill the Background
- Select a vibrant color for your background. I used the color code
#ff7b11
. - Grab the Paint Bucket Tool (G or Shift + G) and click anywhere on the canvas to fill it with your chosen color.
3. Add a Gradient Fill Layer
Adding a gradient can bring more depth and visual appeal to your banner, subtly enhancing the overall design.
- Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient.
- In the dialog box, simply click OK—we'll handle the customization next.
- In the Gradient Fill options bar, click the gradient preview to open the Gradient Editor.
- Select the Color to Transparent gradient. Delete the color stop on the bottom right of the gradient. Then, select the bottom left color stop and set its color to
#ffa811
.
- Fine-tune your gradient:
- Style: Linear
- Angle: 90 degrees
- Scale: 150%
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4. Add a Halftone Gradient Effect
For a touch of vintage charm, let's create a halftone gradient. This can lend a subtle retro vibe to your banner's aesthetic.
- Create a new layer above your gradient fill layer. Remember, layers are our friends!
- Select the Gradient Tool (G or Shift + G).
- Make sure the gradient type is set to Radial in the Gradient Tool options bar and set the dropdown to Classic gradient.
- Click on the gradient preview to enter the Gradient Editor once again.
- Select the preset black to white gradient under Basics.
- Add two color stops at around 25% and 50%. Set the 25% color stop's color to white. Your gradient should look something like this:
- Bring up your rulers (if they aren't already visible) by pressing
Ctrl + R
(Windows) orCommand + R
(Mac). - Click and drag from the left ruler to add a vertical guide in the center, and repeat from the top ruler for a horizontal guide, creating a central intersection.
- With the Gradient Tool selected, hold down
Shift
and drag from the center point to the right edge of the document. This creates a perfect horizontal gradient.
- Right-click the gradient layer and select Convert to Smart Object. This magical step allows for non-destructive editing.
- Go to Filter > Pixelate > Color Halftone. Set the Max. Radius to 32 pixels and leave the remaining settings at their default values.
- Change the layer's blending mode to Soft Light, which will help to blend the effect with your background.
- Finally, tone down the intensity slightly by reducing the Opacity to 20%.
5. Add Safe Zone Guidelines
Since YouTube dynamically adjusts banners for different devices (sometimes with a penchant for awkward cropping), it's best to add safe zone guidelines. This ensures essential elements like your channel name remain visible regardless of the screen size.
- First go to View > Guides > Clear Guides.
- Next, navigate to View > Guides > New Guide Layout.
- Input the following settings:
- Columns: 0, unchecked
- Rows: 0, unchecked
- Margin: checked, Left: 507px, Right: 507px, Top: 509px, Bottom: 508px
- Click OK, and your safe zone will appear.
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6. Add Your Channel Name and Tagline
Now it's time to introduce the star of the show: your channel name. Let's make it prominent and eye-catching.
- Select the Horizontal Type Tool (T).
- I'm using the free Florida Vibes font.
- Click within the safe zone and confidently type your channel name.
- If resizing is needed, use the Move Tool (V) while holding
Shift
to maintain proportions while dragging the corner handles. - Set your text color to white, creating a nice contrast against the vibrant background.
- Add a touch of visual interest by selecting the text layer and clicking the Warp Text icon in the options bar at the top of the program.
- Select Arc from the Style dropdown menu and set the Bend to a gentle 8.
- Repeat these steps to add your tagline below, use a contrasting color like
#ff6600
. Don't apply the text warp to the tagline text.
7. Align and Group the Text Layers
Let's ensure our text is perfectly positioned. After all, a touch of alignment can go a long way in design.
- Select both your channel name and tagline text layers in the Layers panel by Shift clicking each layer.
- Press
Ctrl + A
(Windows) orCommand + A
(Mac) to select the entire canvas. Select the Move Tool (V). - Click the Align Horizontal Centers icon in the options bar.
- Deselect by pressing
Ctrl + D
(Windows) orCommand + D
(Mac). - Make any minor adjustments to the tagline's vertical position using the Move Tool (V) if needed.
- Group the text layers for easier handling by selecting both and pressing
Ctrl + G
(Windows) orCommand + G
(Mac).
- With the group selected, press
Ctrl + A
(Windows) orCommand + A
(Mac) once more to select the canvas. Select the Move Tool (V). - Click the Align Vertical Centers icon. Your text group is now perfectly centered within the canvas.
- Press
Ctrl + D
(Windows) orCommand + D
(Mac) to deselect and proceed.
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8. Add Layer Styles to the Channel Name
Here's where we can get creative and add some personality to your channel name using layer styles.
- Double-click the channel name text layer to open the Layer Style dialog box. Get ready for some styling fun.
- Apply the following layer styles:
-
Stroke:
- Size: 9px
- Position: Outside
- Blend Mode: Normal
- Opacity: 100%
- Color:
#2f2f2f
-
Stroke (yes, another one!):
- Size: 18px
- Position: Outside
- Blend Mode: Normal
- Opacity: 100%
- Color: White
-
Gradient Overlay:
- Blend Mode: Normal
- Opacity: 100%
- Gradient:
- Start with the preset Basics Foreground to Transparent gradient
- Delete the bottom right color stop if there is one
- Left color stop:
#ffea97
- Style: Linear
- Angle: 90 degrees
- Scale: 119%
- Uncheck Reverse
- Check Align with Layer
-
Bevel & Emboss:
- Style: Inner Bevel
- Technique: Smooth
- Depth: 100%
- Direction: Up
- Size: 10px
- Soften: 1px
- Angle: -130 degrees
- Altitude: 42 degrees
- Gloss Contour: Ring - Double (Looks like two spikes)
- Highlight Mode: Linear Dodge (Add)
- Highlight Color: White
- Shadow Mode: Opacity: 0%
-
Stroke:
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9. Copy and Paste Layer Styles to the Tagline
Let's save ourselves some time and apply those stylish layer styles to our tagline.
- Right-click on the channel name text layer and select Copy Layer Style.
- Right-click the tagline text layer and select Paste Layer Style.
- Double-click the right side of the tagline text layer to open the Layer Style dialog box. Time for a few adjustments.
- Here's what we'll modify:
- Uncheck the box for Gradient Overlay to give the tagline its own subtle look.
- Adjust the second Stroke's size to 16px.
- Fine-tune the Bevel & Emboss settings:
- Angle: 64 degrees
- Altitude: 32 degrees
- Gloss Contour: Cone
- Highlight Mode: Opacity: 13%
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10. Add Stylized Triangle Shapes
Incorporating shapes is a great way to introduce visual interest. Let's add some stylized triangles to our banner.
- Create a new group below the text group. Organization is key, my friend!
- Select the Polygon Tool (U), which you might find hiding behind the Rectangle Tool.
- Set the following options in the options bar:
- Sides: 3 (it's all about triangles today)
- Radius: 20
- Star Ratio: 50%
- Check Smooth Star Indents
- Fill: White
- Stroke: None
- Click and drag while holding down
Shift
to create a perfectly proportioned triangle on your canvas. - Let's give this triangle some of that layer style love! Right-click on the channel name text layer and select Copy Layer Style.
- Now, right-click on the triangle group and select Paste Layer Style.
- Double-click the triangle group to open its Layer Style dialog box—we have a few small adjustments to make.
- Click the checkbox icon next to the second Stroke layer style to disable it.
- Select the first Stroke layer style and change the color to
#ff6600
. - Select the triangle layer and modify the Star Indents to 25% in the Properties window. Subtle changes can make a big difference!
- Use the Move Tool (V) to reposition the triangle to your liking, holding
Shift
while dragging to constrain movement. - To create more visual interest, duplicate your triangle by holding down
Alt
while dragging the layer in your Layers panel. Do this a few times for good measure. - Reposition, resize, and even rotate those duplicated triangles to create a dynamic composition that best reflects your channel's vibe.
- Lastly, select each triangle one-by-one, then in the properties window, drag up the rounded corners to the max for each triangle to make them more rounded and polished looking.
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11. Save Your Banner
You've reached the finish line! Time to save your creation and share it with the world.
- Go to File > Save As.
- Choose Photoshop (.PSD) as the format and save your file. This preserves all your layers and edits for future tweaks. It’s always a good idea to have a master copy.
- Now, let's create a version for upload. Go to File > Save As again.
- Select PNG as the file format this time.
- Ensure the file size is under that dreaded 6MB limit.
- Click Save, and give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back!
Uploading Your Banner to YouTube
Your banner is ready for its debut! Let's get it up on your YouTube channel.
- Sign in to your YouTube account.
- Click your profile icon and go to Your Channel.
- Select Customize Channel.
- Click the banner area and upload your newly designed channel banner.
- Adjust the banner's positioning if needed and hit Done.
Conclusion
Congratulations on creating your own awesome YouTube banner! You've taken a significant step in enhancing your channel's visual appeal and making it easier for people to find your content. Hopefully, you've also learned a bit about Adobe Photoshop. Thanks for reading to the end!