Your YouTube channel art is one of the most of import parts of your YouTube channel—aside from your actual video content, of form.

Information technology's basically a giant billboard for your make at the pinnacle of your YouTube contour.

It's the offset thing people see when they visit your channel, and information technology links potential followers to your other social channels.

Hootsuite's YouTube channel art

But y'all don't need to be a professional designer to make your YouTube channel art await professional. We've included five customizable templates in this commodity that anyone—designer or non—tin can utilise to create their own YouTube imprint.

And we've broken down the process into viii easy steps. Read on to first creating your own designer YouTube aqueduct art.

Bonus: Attract more views and subscribers in minutes with 1 of our 5 free customizable YouTube channel art templates. Download them at present.

The v elements of engaging YouTube channel art

1. Your logo, in the right place

Outset things first. Who are yous? Brand sure that's clear correct off the bat. New visitors to your page will want to know.

Place your logo in an obvious, visible spot confronting a color that makes it pop. Also, make sure it's within the "safe area" (more on that below).

Not sure where to put your logo? Our templates offer suggestions.

ii. Simple image with a clear focal signal

Like any billboard ad, the simpler the message, the easier it will exist received. Don't attempt to do too much with your YouTube channel art.

Instead, apply this small infinite wisely to convey what you lot want viewers to focus on about your brand. Stick to one epitome and a logo against a simple background.

Or mayhap it's just your logo against a background that makes information technology articulate what your make is all about, as Epicurious does.

Epicurious YouTube channel art

If you're a really well known brand with top YouTube talent, you could even skip the logo, and simply feature the stars of your aqueduct. It seems to work for Bon Appetit.

Bon Appetit YouTube channel art

Whichever management you choose to get in, call back: the residue of your YouTube folio already has a lot going on. If you want people to accept an action—subscribe, follow y'all on another social channel, or watch 1 of your videos—don't let your imprint overwhelm them.

Adobe YouTube home page

3. Optimization for both desktop and mobile

Seventy pct of YouTube views come from mobile. That means although your YouTube banner is technically 2,560 x 1,440 px, most people will see an area much smaller than this.

Brand sure to include the most important information (similar your logo) in the "safe area" of your YouTube banner, i.e., within an area of 1,546 x 423 px. Our templates mark out this area very conspicuously, so you don't have to worry about missing annihilation of import.

4. Consistent make colors

This almost goes without saying, but make sure your YouTube banner is consistent with the style yous present your brand elsewhere online. Otherwise, viewers will get confused.

This dominion stands even if your YouTube presence is more laid back or wackier than your other social channels. You lot don't desire to disorient viewers who are more likely to click that follow button if they know they've got the "right" version of y'all on YouTube.

Pro tip: Make certain to update your channel fine art when yous refresh your make, or run a special campaign. WIRED magazine updates their YouTube channel fine art for every new event they put out.

WIRED YouTube banner

five. Social media and website links

Your YouTube banner includes the option to link to your other social platforms and website. This is great! Because chances are if someone has taken the time to visit your YouTube folio, they're also interested in the residue of your online presence.

It'll be important to design your YouTube channel art with nothing of import in the right hand corner—except for a groundwork color that helps your icons stand out.

YouTube channel art dimensions

Your YouTube channel art will appear on desktop, mobile, and even TV displays. This means larger images may get cropped.

Make sure to include all the most important visual elements in the "rubber surface area" of your paradigm (dimensions noted beneath).

Bonus: Attract more views and subscribers in minutes with one of our 5 complimentary customizable YouTube channel art templates. Download them now.

Get the templates now!

Use the post-obit YouTube channel art dimensions to ensure your epitome shows up correctly:

  • For all-time results on all devices: 2,560 x 1440 px
  • Minimum dimension for upload: 2,048 x 1152 px
  • Minimum safe area for text and logos: 1,546 x 423 px
  • Maximum width: 2,560 x 423 px
  • File size: 6MB or smaller

If you're non sure well-nigh the width and summit of an image, don't worry. You can always start by customizing one of our YouTube channel art templates, which are pre-populated with the correct dimensions.

How to brand YouTube channel fine art

Starting with a professionally designed template makes it easier to create your own YouTube channel art. Here'due south how to customize our templates for your make. Yous will demand Adobe Photoshop to go started.

Bonus: Attract more views and subscribers in minutes with 1 of our 5 free customizable YouTube channel art templates. Download them now.

one. Subsequently yous've downloaded the YouTube channel art templates, you'll notice that the fonts and paradigm files are separate. Double click on the font file of your selected theme to upload the font to your computer. Click install font.

downloading fonts for YouTube banner templates

2. Double click the image file to open information technology in Photoshop.

3. Select the YouTube channel art template that you lot'd similar to piece of work with kickoff.

4. To edit text: double click the text you lot would similar to edit. You can change fonts and colors in the menu on the left-manus side.Editing colors on YouTube channel art templates

five. To edit a color block or background: double click the color block you would like to edit. Alter the size or use the carte du jour on the left-paw side to change the colour.

editing colors in YouTube channel art

6. To edit a photograph or image: double click the photograph you would like to edit and click insert new epitome. Resize image as necessary.

editing text on YouTube banner art templates

7. To salvage the template: Select the template you would like to utilise and go to Salve>Export Every bit>Artboard to Files. Make certain to save as a .jpg or .png.

saving YouTube channel art

8. Upload your YouTube channel art by following the steps below.

How to upload or change YouTube channel art

  1. Sign in to YouTube on your desktop.
  2. Select My Channel from the peak-right menu.
  3. Click Add channel art. (If you lot're just editing existing channel art, hover your cursor over the existing banner and click Edit).
  4. Upload an prototype or photo from your estimator or click the Gallery tab to cull an image from the YouTube photo library.
  5. From here, you tin can preview how the fine art will announced on dissimilar devices. To make changes, click Adjust the crop.
  6. Click Select.

And that's all there is to it. Now you have a beautiful, branded graphic prominently displayed on your channel. The next step is making sure your content is equally compelling. Bank check out our complete guide to crafting a winning YouTube strategy for more on that.