Think of 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.
Consistent and recognizable visual branding is essential for growing your YouTube following. It's an important first step in marketing 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.
How to make a YouTube banner with Venngage
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 template from Venngage as the foundation for your design.
A template will guide your design, while also ensuring that your banner uses the correct dimensions. The recommended YouTube banner size is 2560 x 1440 pixels. So you need to use your space wisely.
Stay on top of social media image sizes requirements you should stick to if you want to get the most from your banner.
Not sure where to start? Don't worry.
This guide will offer you some helpful tips for designing your own YouTube banner, starting with a YouTube banner template, like the example below.
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 banner puts the emphasis on the font. The symmetrical layout will make your title look bold and focused, drawing the audience's attention to your central message.
Asymmetrical layout
An asymmetrical layout can look more casual and playful. Typically, you would place your title to 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 your 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 can make 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 what the tone, style and even the topic of your channel are. 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 of Good 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 fonts affect 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 otherwise amazing design. 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 are high resolution when you upload them to use for your YouTube banner.
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.
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, like following you on Twitter or signing up for your newsletter. (Psst – we've also got newsletter templates).
Content marketing guru Neil Patel is never afraid to throw a CTA at you, so why should you be?
If you are 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.
The template below fits the YouTube banner size perfectly and contrasts the bright gradient of the background to make the YouTuber'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 Fitness YouTube 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
Take a look at this beauty channel YouTube banner template. The image, the fonts and the background color combination all serve a purpose: to reflect the beauty industry.
The pastel color scheme, personal font style, and whimsical image are what viewers would expect of a beauty 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's 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're excited 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 has more of a hip-hip 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 your minimalist YouTube banner a 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 template below, 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 icons to 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 or company branding ?
A quick and easy way to solve this problem is to use a color filter, like in 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 viewers use mobile devices. That means that small text is going to be nearly impossible to read.
That's why I would recommend using a large or bold font on 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's graphic 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.
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
What is the correct YouTube banner size?
The recommended YouTube banner size for templates is 2560 x 1440 pixels.
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.
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 template and 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, change colors and font styles. Add your branding to the design with Venngage's My Brand Kit feature to create a cohesive brand presence online.
What is a Youtube banner used for?
A YouTube banner is the first thing your 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.
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, use your personal branding to help your banner stand out.
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