Thinkof your favorite YouTube channels. What do they all have in common?
(Well, aside from a ton of subscribers.)
I’ll give you a hint: they probably all have a custom,well-designed YouTube banner on their profiles. One look and you have a sense of what their channels will offer you. Not to mention, it gives their profiles a professional finish.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your YouTube banner and want to see how you can use photography, check out our YouTube banner templates for some examples of cool Twitch and YouTube banners.
Consistent and recognizable visual branding is essential for growing your YouTube following. It’s an important first step inmarketing your YouTube channel. And it’s one of the ways you’ll get more eyes on your videos, like this popular Venngage anime YouTube banner template.
Click to jump ahead:
- What is the recommended YouTube banner size in 2023?
- How to upload a YouTube banner
- Make a YouTube banner with Venngage
- YouTube banners FAQ
Here are our top tips for YouTube banner design:
- Pick a YouTube banner layout that fits your vision
- Offer a window into what viewers can expect from your channel
- Include your brand tagline or slogan
- Keep your YouTube banner design simple
- Use a font that reflects the mood of your channel
- If you use a photo, make sure it’s high quality
- Include a Call-To-Action in your Youtube banner
- Coordinate your YouTube banner with your channel icon
- Be mindful of design trends in your niche
- Create your own custom YouTube banner template that you can repurpose
- Include a subtle border around your YouTube banner
- Use banner background image that reflects the theme of your channel
- Position your channel title in the corner of your YouTube banner
- Include a personalized call to action
- Use simple icons and illustrations
- Add a color filter to your YouTube banner image
- Create a collage of images
- Use drop shadows to give your banner design depth
- Use a big, easy to read font
- Include a brief channel summary in your YouTube banner
So let’s get started with our YouTube banner tips!
1.Pick a YouTube banner layout that fits your vision
When it comes to selecting a YouTube banner template, look for a layout that works for you. Think about where you want the focus of your banner to be, and the effect that you want it to have.
There are a few basic YouTube banner layouts you can start with.
Centered title layout
Placing your title in the center of your YouTube bannerputs the emphasis on the font. Thesymmetrical layout will make your title look bold and focused, drawing the audience’s attention to your central message.
Asymmetricallayout
An asymmetrical layout can look more casual and playful. Typically, you would place your title on one side of the banner and balance it out with a picture on the other side, like in this baking YouTube banner template.
Sectioned layout
If you want to incorporate multiple images into your banner, you can do so by dividing your banner into sections. To prevent your banner from looking cluttered, make sure that the sections are even widths. Remember the ideal YouTube banner size for templates for this layout.
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2. Offer a window into what viewers can expect from your channel
Odds are, someone has landed on your channel one of two ways: they either watched a video of yours and wanted more, or someone linked them to your channel.
Your banner can indicate to visitors whether or not your channel will offer them more of what they’re interested in. That means that the style, tagline and images you include should give people a bite-sized view of what your channel is all about.
For example, say you’re a travel vlogger. Your YouTube banner should indicate to visitors that they can expect more adventures from you, like in this template:
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3.Include your brand tagline or slogan in your YouTube banner
What’s your channel’s elevator pitch? What’s your core value proposition?Include your catchy tagline in your YouTube banner.
Typically, YouTubers will put their tagline along the top or bottom of their banners. For example, this YouTube banner template for a gaming channel includes their taglines on the left of the banner, just above the profile image:
To avoid cluttering up your banner design, keep your tagline to one sentence.
Another option is to simply include your website URL in your banner. That will also help spread awareness about your brand.
If you aren’t sure what your brand tagline is, it’s worth spending some time doing some YouTube brand development. Work out what your brand is and how you want to be perceived.
This video has more information on how to develop a brand:
We also have in-depth branding guides on our blog!
Related:How to pickbrand colors
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4. Keep your YouTube banner design simple
There isn’t a lot of space to pack too many design elements into your YouTube banner. That’s why it’s good practice to keep your YouTube banner design simple.
For example, simply use a photo as the background of your YouTube banner, with your title and nothing else. Like in this YouTube banner template that is simple but effective:
You canmake the text pop from the background by creating a transparent overlay. Place your text on top of a square icon and then adjust the icon’s opacity so that the background image shows through.
Now you can read the text without obscuring the background image, like in the YouTube banner below!
If you want, you can put even more focus on the title in your YouTube banner design. For example, take a look at how the popular travel channel High On Life uses a simple background image, allowing the big, bold font to stand out:
Related:How to pick brand fonts
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5. Use a font that reflects the mood of your channel
The fonts you use can communicate the tone, style and even the topic of your channel. That’s because people tend to associate different personalities with different fonts.
For example,which font looks happier to you?
Probably the bouncy second font, right?
We associate different fonts with different industries. For example, serif fonts are typical of more traditional industries like publishing and insurance. Meanwhile, sans serif fonts are more commonly found in branding for tech companies.
While certain fonts look more reliable and traditional, other fonts look more casual and playful. For example, take a look at the font that the comedy duo ofGood Mythical Morning uses in the YouTube banner for their channel:
The font is a bit quirky and not too serious.
Or take this YouTube banner template that uses a decorative font to give it a creative feel:
Now, look at the more serious and reputable serif fonts used in Veritasium‘s YouTube banner. Their videos teach science and engineering concepts, and they’ve gone for a look that is in line with more traditional education industry branding:
See how fontsaffect the overall tone of a channel?
Read our Netflix font psychology study to learn more about font personalities.
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6. If you use a photo, make sure it’s high-quality
A blurry image can ruin an otherwiseamazingdesign. The images you use in your banner should have a minimum resolution of 100-150 dpi to adhere to the YouTube banner size for templates while still being crisp and visible.
Most stock photo sites like Unsplash or Pexels will provide images in high-quality. (Venngage also has a stock photo image library with high-quality photos!)
But if you’re using your own original images, make sure they arehigh resolutionwhen you upload them to use for your YouTube banner.
The same principles of banner design apply to your Twitch banners too, if you’re a streamer. Make sure your offline banner uses high-quality stock photography. Using great stock photography helps your stream seem more professional.
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7.Include a call-to-action in your YouTube banner
Your banner is prime real estate on your YouTube profile. If there’s an action you want visitors to take (like, say, slamming that subscribe button),why not include it in your banner?
A call-to-action (or CTA) is a phrase or button that asks readers to do a specific thing, likefollowing you on Twitter or signing up for yournewsletter. (Psst – we’ve also got newsletter templates).
Content marketing guru Neil Patel is never afraid tothrow a CTA at you, so why should you be?
If youare selling merchandise or promoting an upcoming event that you want your audience to know about,your YouTube banner is also a great place to mention it.
You can even add a link to your online store directly in your Youtube banner. That’s just one of the handful of ways you can effectively sell on YouTube, according to Sellfy.
In fact, if you’re a YouTuber who makes videos and also sells a digital product, you can make 4x more than just the YouTube ad income.
In this YouTube photography channel banner, the creator has included handles of their other social accounts so that their subscribers know where to see more of their work.
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8. Coordinate your YouTube banner with your channel icon
If you want your YouTube profile page to look professional, every design element should blend seamlessly together.
The first thing viewers will probably look at when they land on your profile is your banner. The second thing will probably be your channel icon.
Thetemplate below fits the YouTube banner size perfectly andcontrasts the bright gradient of the background to maketheYouTuber’s image stand out.
It can also be a good idea to use the same color scheme and visual style in both images. Typically, you should use your brand colors.
For example, take a look at how well the POPSUGAR FitnessYouTube banner and channel icon go together:
Venngage’s My Brand Kit makes it easy to add your brand color palettes to a YouTube header in just a click. Find out more about My Brand Kit.
If you’re a streamer, your Twitch offline banner can be a great place to showcase your logo. The Twitch banner is much larger than a YouTube banner, so you have more room to be creative with text, photos, icons, and your logo.
Related:How to design a logo
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9. Be mindful of design trends in your niche
Takealook atthis beauty channel YouTubebannertemplate. The image, the fonts and the background color combination all serve a purpose: toreflectthe beauty industry.
The pastel color scheme, personal font style, and whimsical image are what viewers would expect of abeauty channel.Designing a YouTube banner that speaks to the audience is crucial in industries as popular as beauty, gaming, and baking.
For example, popular baking YouTuber CupcakeJemma uses a script font and sprinkle-inspired background for her YouTube banner, which speaks to her niche and audience:
Also, note how she’s expertly used the YouTube banner size in her template to her advantage. She centered her channel name and tagline to draw the audience’s eye to the key information.
If you want to keep up to date with the hottest design trends, we’ve got a video that tells you everything you need to know:
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10. Create your own custom YouTube banner template that you can repurpose
Once you’ve created a YouTube banner that you’reexcited to use, why not make it into a template that you can repurpose again and again?
A custom YouTube banner template will come in handy if you want to switch up your banner design periodically. For example, you could simply swap out the background image based on what you’re currently promoting on your channel.
Here’s a YouTube banner with a background image and purple hues that have more of a hip-hop vibe:
By using the same template, you can keep your channel design fresh while maintaining your recognizable visual branding. You can use the same template again and again to create a whole bunch of cool YouTube banners. Here’s the same banner, now with a live music vibe.
You can use a standard Twitch banner template to update your offline look too. By using a simple gradient like in the example below, you can change the colors up periodically to keep your audience engaged – even when you aren’t streaming.
Related:How to use “My Brand Kit” on your Venngage designs
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11.Include a subtle border around your YouTube banner
Minimalistic design projects are very popular lately because they feel so simple and effortless. Designers use exactly what they need to get their message across effectively. No more, and no less.
A simple border will give yourminimalist YouTube bannera definable edge and direct the viewer’s eye to the center of your banner.
This approach can also be used to push people towards a call to action, like in the YouTube channel banner templatebelow, or to other social media accounts.
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12. Use a banner background image that reflects the theme of your channel
There are literally millions of stock photos out there that you can use. The problem is that these images tend to be vague.
That’s fine for some projects, but not for your YouTube banner.
In fact, a vague image may actually turn off potential viewers. You want to engage them with your YouTube banner, not bore them.
A random sunset or landscape is not going to get someone pumped to check out your videos.
In this example, the background image is perfectly selected for this channel. It’s interesting enough to catch your eye and inform the viewer about the channel. But it doesn’t distract from the channel’s tagline either. The contents adhere to the YouTube banner size restrictions for templates, as well.
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13.Position your channel title in the corner of your YouTube banner
As you have probably noticed in this article, many YouTube banners center their text.
But if you want to use a slightly more unconventional layout, try placing your title text in one of the corners of your banner.
Take the Youtube banner example below. The designers used a compelling image that’s hard to miss. The image pulls your eyes, and then you see the title text.This is one way to stand out in a crowded space like YouTube.
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14.Include a personalized call to action
People love YouTube because it allows them to connect with their favorite influencers.
These creators also make viewers feel connected by building a community of like-minded fans. So if you have a name for your community or a channel-specific term, include that in your banner call to action.
For example in this YouTube banner template,the viewers are referred to as a “crew.” That sounds a lot more inclusive and personal than just calling them subscribers.
Twitch streamers have the opportunity to use their streamer offline banner to advertise social media handles as well as the time of the next stream. Making this information clear on your Twitch offline banner is a great way to ensure your fans never miss a stream.
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15. Use simple icons and illustrations
Struggling to find a good idea for your YouTube banner? Try using some icons or illustrations that are related to your topic!
The creators of the YouTube channel art below used iconsto quickly tell viewers what their channel is all about.
Even if there was no text in this YouTube banner, you probably could guess the topic. Because humans process images a lot faster than text, you can use YouTube icons to quickly get your message across.
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16.Add a color filter to your YouTube banner image
Have you ever found an image with the perfect subject matter for your design, but the color scheme didn’t fit your theme orcompany branding?
A quick and easy way to solve this problem is to use a color filter,likein the YouTube banner example below. This can personalize the image to fit the mood of your channel, or to match your brand colors.
A color filter can also help your text pop from the background, like in this YouTube banner template.
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17.Create a collage of images
Similar to how you can create a banner design using icons, you can also create a collage of images that offer a preview of what to expect on your channel. An easy way to do this is to use stills from your videos.
In order for your design to be cohesive, make sure the images have a similar style, color scheme, and tone. This will make your YouTube banner look more professional, and will also reinforce your channel’s brand, like in this channel banner template.
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18.Use drop shadows to give your YouTube banner design depth
“Drop shadow” is a design term used to describe the effect of giving objects in your design shadows. This gives the impression that the objects are raised above the backgrounds.
I know creating a shadow may sound a little daunting to a new designer. But don’t worry, it’s actually very easy with Venngage.
All you really have to do is duplicate the shape, choose a darker color and then position it behind the original one.And this effect can give your YouTube banner design a ton of depth.
19.Use a big, easy to read font
It’s important to remember that a large chunk of YouTube viewersuse mobile devices. That means that small text is going to be nearly impossible to read.
That’s why I would recommendusing a large or bold fonton your YouTube banner. This will ensure that your viewers see your channel name or call to action on any screen.
Big, bold fonts are also one of this year’sgraphic design trends!
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20.Include a brief channel summary in your YouTube banner
Let’s face it, we’re all lazy on social media. We barely read things before moving on.
You can make skimming easy for new viewers by offering a brief description of your channel, like in the YouTube banner template below.
A simple, one-sentence tagline works. Try to make it as direct and compelling as possible, to inspire them to want more, like in this YouTube banner example.
Have a YouTube banner but missing everything else? Our social media graphics tool is at your service.
What is the recommended YouTube banner size in 2023?
As of 2023, the recommended size for a YouTube banner — also known as a channel art or cover photo — remains relatively consistent with previous years. YouTube suggests using an image with dimensions of 2560 pixels wide by 1440 pixels tall. This aspect ratio of 16:9 ensures that the banner displays well on various devices, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
However, it is important to note that the YouTube platform may display the banner differently on different devices and screen sizes. To accommodate this variability, it is advisable to place important information and visuals towards the center of the banner, where they are less likely to be cropped or hidden.
Here are the recommended YouTube banner dimensions and file size:
- Recommended “TV”:2560 x 1440 px
- Minimum for upload:2048 x 1152 px
- Minimum “Viewable On All Devices”:1546 x 423 px
- Maximum “Viewable On Desktop”:2560 x 423 px
- File size:6MB or smaller
Additionally, it’s crucial to keep in mind that YouTube’s interface and design guidelines can evolve over time. It’s recommended to stay updated with the latest information from YouTube or relevant sources in case there are any changes to the banner size or design specifications.
Remember that the banner serves as an opportunity to visually represent your channel’s identity and engage viewers, so it’s essential to create a captivating and visually appealing design that aligns with your content and branding.
How to upload a YouTube banner
Step 1: Sign in to your YouTube account and click on your profile picture or avatar located in the top right corner of the page. In the drop-down menu, select “Your Channel” to access your YouTube channel.
Step 2: On your channel page, click on the “Customize Channel” button, which should be located towards the top right of the page. This will redirect you to YouTube Studio, where you can manage your channel’s settings.
Step 3: Within the customization options, you should see a section labeled “Branding”. Under this section, click on the “Banner Image” tab.
Step 4: Click on the “Upload” button and select the image file from your computer. YouTube recommends using an image with dimensions of 2560 pixels wide by 1440 pixels tall for optimal display.
Step 5: After uploading the image, you can adjust the positioning of the banner by dragging it within the preview window. This allows you to ensure the important elements of your banner are visible on different screen sizes.
Step 6: Once you’re satisfied with the placement of your banner, click on the “Publish” button to save your changes and make the new banner visible on your YouTube channel.
If you don’t have much design experience, the idea of designing your own YouTube banner from scratch might seem a bit daunting.
That’s why, before we dive into tips for how you can create your own creative YouTube banner, I want to suggest a shortcut:
Save yourself the stress by using a YouTube banner templatefrom Venngage as the foundation for your design.
A template will guide your design, while also ensuring that your banner uses the correct dimensions.
Stay on top of social media image sizerequirements youshould stick to if you want to get the most from your banner.
Get those subs!
With a quality YouTube banner, you’re one step closer to growing your audience. Remember, creating a strong brand requires a multi-faceted approach, beyond just the videos you put out. Now if you want to grow your channel even faster, check out this beginner’s guide to YouTube ads!
Looking for more design tips? Check out Venngage’s YouTube channel for tons of helpful design guides.
Ready to get started?
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YouTube banners FAQ
1. What is the correct YouTube banner size?
Therecommended YouTube banner size for templates is 2560 x 1440pixels.
2. How do I make a banner for my YouTube channel?
You can create a banner for your YouTube channel on Venngage. Venngage is an online design tool with loads of professionally designed templates for YouTube banners. You can easily add your text, icons, photos, or brand colors to your YouTube banner.
3. How do you make a YouTube banner without Photoshop?
You can easily design a YouTube banner using Venngage’s templates. Create an account in a few simple steps, choose a YouTube banner templateand start designing for free.
You can add images from our stock photo gallery, choose from over 40,000+ icons, including diverse people icons, upload your own images and change colors and font styles. Add your branding to the design with Venngage’s My Brand Kitfeature to create a cohesive brand presence online.
4. What is a Youtube banner used for?
A YouTube banner is the first thingyour audience sees when they enter your YouTube channel. This image needs to include your logo, channel name, tagline, and social icons. The YouTube banner also needs to reflect your brand and personality to entice viewers to subscribe.
5. How do I make a banner for my Twitch channel?
If you’re a streamer looking to create a banner for your Twitch channel, the same principles of YouTube banner design apply. Make your banner eye-catching, use a predesigned Twitch banner template and use your personal branding to help your banner stand out.
