How to make Youtube Thumbnails with Canva (GUIDE)

Creating Youtube thumbnails is no easy task, with the huge variety of different platforms and tools to choose from it’s even more difficult. I am a youtuber with 10 years of experience and over 200,000 views per month on my channel. So to make creating a Youtube thumbnail as easy possible, I will cover exactly how you can make Youtube Thumbnails using Canva.

What is Canva? (Explained)

Canva is a graphic design platform, used to create social media graphics, presentations, posters and other visual content like Youtube Thumbnails or Logos. You name it… Canva can do it!

Canva is a very user-friendly tool with a drag and drop format and access to over a million photographs, fonts, and templates. Canva also has a free account option as well as Canva Pro for additional features such as brand kits and folders.

How to make Youtube Thumbnails with Canva FREE

1. Create a canva account: https://partner.canva.com/jWYmB6
2. Click design (Top right of screen).
3. Type: Youtube Thumbnail in the search bar. 
4. Click Youtube Thumbnail to load in a blank canvas (1280×720). 
5. Use Canva selected pre-made templates. 
6. Customise your template to how you want your thumbnail to look.
7. When complete with your design, Click Share (Top right). 
8. Click Download: Wait for download and enjoy.

Why use Canva instead of Photoshop? (Explained)

Canva graphic design tool offers pre-made templates for Youtube thumbnails. This makes it so incredibly easy for you to create a professionally designed Youtube thumbnail without any design experience.

For many years I personally used Photoshop which in all honesty has some amazing tool which are super in-depth and require you to have to learn a lot about graphic design. As a youtuber of over 10 years of experience, I love how simple and easy to use Canva is.

Canva also offers a wide range of elements and graphics that can be easily added to your thumbnails. Canva is user friendly and allows for easy editing and customizing, unlike Photoshop which can be more complex and costs a fortune.

Important Youtube Thumbnail Advice

1. Make sure your thumbnails have a clear and eye catching design.
2. Include titles, branding, and relevant images or graphics.
3. Use Canva’s text tool to add in titles or subtitles. 
4. Use Canva’s effects tab to add filters or textures to your thumbnail for added visual interest.
5. Avoid using too many words in your thumbnails, it needs to be readable at a glance.
6. Make sure Writing is bold, clear and concise.
7. Use Canva’s eye catchy elements to capture your audience’s attention.
8. Use attractive colours: Yellows, Reds, Oranges capture your audiences attention fast.

Is Canva the best tool for making Youtube Thumbnails? (Solved)

Based on its ease of use, pre-made templates, and wide range of elements and graphics, Canva is definitely the best tool for creating Youtube thumbnails.

It allows even those without design experience to create visually appealing thumbnails that will grab their audience’s attention. So why not give Canva a try for your next Youtube thumbnail?

So you want to use Canva?

Great choice! Canva offers a wide selection of customizable templates, as well as elements and graphics to make your thumbnail stand out. Plus, Canva’s drag-and-drop feature makes it super simple to edit and customize your design. And the icing on the cake? Canva is free (with optional paid upgrades)! So why not give Canva a try?

Sign up to Canva using my affiliate link here.