How to Make Awesome Thumbnails

[WebsturYT]

pixlr is a great photo editing app I use for thumbnails. Basically a free but simpler photoshop

 

[verdandi.red]

Just paint and go old school!

 

[Ishtiak Ahmed]

Thx for the tips...good thumbnails work fine...

 

[Reviewing Virtuously]

Great info Erksl. Contrast in color is also very important. I try to use color that pops and sharp text. Thum nails take up a small part of real estate and it can be hard to get them to stand out. My biggest problem is the time it takes to make them. My goal is to get them done faster. I do save a psd file that a main template and I customize that. Which brings me to the question. What software do most people use for thumb nails? I have the adobe suite but not everyone has that.

 

[Boki]

I think that it is important for thumbnails to have a sort of consistent appearance that doesn't go against what's actually on them.
I simply apply a black brush at 50% opacity in a rectangle. Then I simply write in white over it - this allows me to write on the thumbnail regardless if it's pitch black or blinding white.
Also, something I like to do - I like for that darkened strip to interact with the thumbnail in some way. For example, a part of the thumbnail will go over it. It's fun to make and it looks as if the thumbnail pic is interacting with the text box.

 

[Ishtiak Ahmed]

I think that it is important for thumbnails to have a sort of consistent appearance that doesn't go against what's actually on them.
I simply apply a black brush at 50% opacity in a rectangle. Then I simply write in white over it - this allows me to write on the thumbnail regardless if it's pitch black or blinding white.
Also, something I like to do - I like for that darkened strip to interact with the thumbnail in some way. For example, a part of the thumbnail will go over it. It's fun to make and it looks as if the thumbnail pic is interacting with the text box.

Great idea...I like it...thx...

 

[Seansie]

I have some experience with Canva, but will definitely try out others mentioned on here such as Pixlr. I would make thumbnails with photoshop, but I can’t even get close to grasping the intricacy of all its options

 

[MASE]

Photoshop is king. I put a lot of time into creating my thumbnails but I enjoy the process of making it mine.

 

[LaVelleLaRue]

Thanks for the info. When it comes to the thumbnail. I'm good with everything but that DAMMMMMMNNNNNN background. I'm always stuck at that point. Nice read and thanks for the knowledge.

 

[anglingdharma]

Hey guys, a lot of people have been asking, so I though I'd share a bit of my knowledge about making thumbnails with PS, and how to make them amazing looking that are bound to get your videos a few more views!
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*Make sure the dimension size is 1920 by 1080 (for best quality)

1). Firstly, make sure not to do what I call typical styles. Now by this I mean don't do what has been done a million times before, like using the same overlays everyone always does. Though some are great and should be used, try testing out with a few and changing them up a bit. By doing this your text will have a smooth, unique look to it

2). Though this is pretty obvious, USE STROKE AND DROP SHADOW! No doubt without these your text will look so much worse. Pretty well everyone uses these, but it truly is vital to use them.

3). Thirdly, be sure to add extra textures and overlays to your text. Download some pattern overlays, and use them with your text. It will look amazing if you put down the opacity of the overlay, so it doesn't distract the viewer from the actual text and the rest of the thumbnail. Download some transparent flashes, and add them to the sides of the text, or behind! All little things like this can make thumbnails incredible... but only if they are done correctly.

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1). For the rest of thumbnail, you must make sure it is clean. By this I mean be sure not to add too much or too little. If you are doing a thumbnail for a let's play, behind your text possibly have a picture of the game (if it is a unique custom drawing it's even better). Don't add lots of text, but enough so the viewer knows what he is watching.

2). If you are doing a custom colour background, possibly and a pattern with low opacity for a great effect!

3). Just make sure no parts are blurry: you want full HD!

I really hope this helped. If you have any problems what so every comment down below! And subscribe to my channel if you like, I do lots of GFX and give free thumbnail, banner, and intro templates!

thank u for your information n your tips...