A TikTok thumbnail is the small image that appears when a video is shown in a user’s feed or search results. They help catch viewers’ attention and entice them to click to watch the full video (source 1). Thumbnails have become increasingly important on the platform as TikTok expands its search capabilities and moves closer to becoming a visual search engine (source 2). An eye-catching thumbnail with compelling imagery or text can significantly increase a video’s click-through-rate and viewership. For TikTok creators, optimizing thumbnails is an essential strategy to grow a following and get content seen by more people.
Ideal Thumbnail Size for TikTok
When creating a custom thumbnail for your TikTok videos, it’s important to use the optimal dimensions. TikTok thumbnails display at a size of 560 x 936 pixels. This is a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio, which is taller than a standard horizontal layout.
Aim to design your thumbnails at a minimum width of 560 pixels. However, you can make the image larger if needed, up to 1080 x 1920 pixels. TikTok will automatically crop and scale down any thumbnail that exceeds 560 pixels wide.
The optimal resolution for TikTok thumbnails is 1080 x 1920 pixels. This ensures your image will look crisp and high-quality on all devices. Lower resolution images may appear blurry or pixelated.
In summary, use these recommended specifications when creating TikTok thumbnails:
- Minimum Width: 560 pixels
- Optimal Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16 vertical
- High resolution HD image
Following these dimensions will help your custom thumbnails stand out and maximize visual impact on TikTok.
Do’s and Don’ts
When creating a TikTok thumbnail, there are some best practices to follow for optimal results:
- Do use high-quality, eye-catching images that stand out. According to Adobe, colorful images tend to perform better.
- Do showcase the main focus of your video clearly in the thumbnail image. This helps set viewer expectations.
- Do optimize your image for mobile screens since that is how most viewers will see it. The ideal TikTok thumbnail size is 800 x 800 pixels.
- Do include minimal but impactful text like the video title. Use large, bold fonts that stand out.
- Do follow TikTok’s thumbnail templates if creating thumbnails in the app.
- Don’t use low-quality, pixelated images. High resolution is key.
- Don’t clutter the image with too many distracting elements. Keep it clean and focused.
- Don’t rely only on text. Visuals are most important for the small thumbnail size.
Following these best practices will lead to eye-catching, effective TikTok thumbnails.
Choosing the Right Image
When selecting an image for your TikTok thumbnail, you have two main options – using a stock photo or creating an original image. Both have their pros and cons.
Stock photos are convenient and offer a wide variety of high-quality, eye-catching images that are optimized for social media. Sources like Shutterstock give you access to millions of photos on any topic or aesthetic. The downside is that stock images may feel generic or overused by other creators.
Creating your own original thumbnail image gives you full control over the look and feel. You can match the brand and style of your channel perfectly. However, it takes more effort to DIY high-quality, compelling images versus using stock libraries. You’ll need photography skills or image editing software.
Consider your goals, resources, and audience when deciding between stock and original. Both can be successful if leveraged strategically.
Image Composition
Proper image composition is crucial for creating eye-catching thumbnails on TikTok. The image should follow some basic photographic principles to draw the viewer’s attention.
The rule of thirds is an important guideline. To use this, imagine dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. The key elements should be placed along these lines or at their intersections. This creates a more dynamic and pleasing composition than putting the subject directly in the center.
Leading lines can help direct the viewer’s gaze where you want it to go. Diagonal or curving lines like roads, fences, or flowing water can lead the eye into the frame and towards the subject. Strong lines like this add depth and movement.
Contrast also helps an image pop. Using a high contrast between light and dark areas creates separation. Having a stark difference in colors does the same. The contrast makes certain elements stand out more.
Applying these image composition techniques results in TikTok thumbnails that immediately grab attention. The visuals pull viewers in rather than letting their eyes gloss over a forgettable image.
Sources:
https://cleverturtleit.com/graphic-design/
Text and Fonts
Text can make or break a TikTok thumbnail. Choosing the right font and wording helps capture viewers’ attention. According to Hootsuite, some best practices for text include:
- Using large, bold fonts that stand out against the background
- Keeping text short and impactful – usually just a few words
- Placing text in the lower third of the thumbnail to not cover up the main image
- Using a font that matches your brand style and personality
Some of the most popular TikTok fonts include:
- Sans-serif fonts like Helvetica, Arial, and Open Sans for a clean, modern look
- Playful handwritten fonts like Pacfic, Bilbo, and Caveat for a friendly vibe
- Retro fonts like Moon Dance and Maven Pro for a funky, vintage aesthetic
The key is choosing a font that aligns with your brand identity and makes the text pop against the thumbnail background. Keep text short, eye-catching and indicative of the video content.
Use of Color
Color is an extremely important element when designing effective thumbnails on TikTok. Understanding color theory and which colors attract viewers’ attention and convey certain emotions can significantly improve the click-through rate on your videos.
In general, bright, saturated colors tend to stand out more, especially against white or black backgrounds. Bold primary colors like red, blue, and yellow catch people’s eyes. However, don’t go overboard. Stick to 1-2 vibrant colors, as too many can look chaotic.
Consider using colors associated with certain emotions. For example, red conveys excitement, blue is calming, and yellow is cheerful. Pick colors that align with your brand identity or video topic. You can also use color to create contrast between textual elements and the background.
Analyze top videos in your niche to see which thumbnail colors are most common. While trends come and go, many creators find success using the same basic color palette repeatedly to maintain a consistent aesthetic.
Some examples of effective color use are a bright subject against a white background, or complementary colors like orange and blue. The most important tip is to make conscious color choices, not just default to what’s easiest.
For an in-depth look at applying color theory to TikTok thumbnails, check out this helpful video: How To Make a Thumbnail ‘POP’? – Color Theory In Thumbnails
Branding and Consistency
When creating thumbnails, it’s important to maintain a consistent branding and aesthetic that matches your TikTok channel. This helps viewers instantly recognize that a video belongs to your channel when scrolling through their feed.
Some tips for consistent branding include:
- Use the same fonts, colors, and graphic elements in each thumbnail. For example, have a branded logo or icon that appears in the same place on every thumbnail.
- Maintain the same style of imagery and photography. If you tend to use bright colors and fun doodle graphics, keep that look consistent.
- Consider creating thumbnail templates with different layouts that still contain your core branding. This allows variety while maintaining cohesion.
- Use the same or complementary colors in each thumbnail. Your channel’s palette creates instant recognition.
- Make sure any text uses the same fonts and font weights each time. Consistent typography strengthens your brand identity.
By matching the look and feel of your channel, viewers will start to recognize your thumbnails immediately. This builds brand awareness and loyalty over time.
Tools and Apps
There are many great apps and tools available to help create stunning thumbnails for TikTok. Some popular recommendations include:
Adobe Spark – This free online graphic design app offers templates, fonts, images and effects to design polished thumbnails quickly. It’s easy to customize the look and has handy pre-sized templates for TikTok covers. According to Adobe, it’s a top choice for beginners looking to create eye-catching TikTok covers.
Canva – Another free graphic design platform with a huge selection of templates, fonts, photos and illustrations. It’s simple to use and has pre-sized templates specifically for TikTok thumbnails. Great for creating covers that are consistent with your brand.
PicMonkey – An affordable photo editor with templates, graphics and effects for sprucing up TikTok covers. The resize feature ensures photos fit TikTok’s thumbnail dimensions. PicMonkey makes it fast and easy to design polished, professional-looking thumbnails.
Using the right tools can save time and energy when creating great thumbnails customized for TikTok. The apps mentioned above are popular choices with handy features to help beginners and experts alike design eye-catching covers that make viewers want to click.
Final Checklist
Here are some key points to review when creating your ideal TikTok thumbnail:
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Ensure the thumbnail is the ideal size – a minimum of 1280×720 pixels is recommended.
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Use high-quality, eye-catching images that represent your brand.
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Compose your image in an interesting way, using the rule of thirds for example.
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Include short, bold text that captures attention.
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Use fonts and colors that stand out against the background.
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Maintain consistency with your channel’s branding and style.
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Check that the thumbnail looks good on both desktop and mobile.
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Preview how it will look as a small thumbnail next to other videos.
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Ask someone else for feedback before finalizing.
Following these best practices will help you create eye-catching and effective thumbnails that get more clicks!
