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Social Media Intermediate 8 min read Updated Pluto Photos 2.5.2

How to Make a YouTube Thumbnail: Cutout, Shadow and Bold Title

Short answer

Create a YouTube Thumbnail document (1280×720), place a background photo and a cutout subject as layers, give the cutout a drop shadow, then add a heavy title with a stroke and shadow from Text Effects.

Requires Pluto Photos Pro (one-time $29, no subscription). The free download includes a 30-day trial of every Pro feature.

#1. Create a YouTube Thumbnail document

In the editor, choose File > New Document… and pick YouTube Thumbnail · 1280×720 from the Preset menu. Choose a background and click Create.

The New Document dialog with the YouTube Thumbnail 1280 by 720 preset selected
The YouTube Thumbnail preset.

#2. Place a background photo

Choose File > Place Image… and pick a photo. It arrives as a layer with a frame. Drag it to the corner of the canvas, then drag the corner handle until it covers the whole canvas.

A mountain valley photo covering the thumbnail canvas
The background fills the canvas.

#3. Add a cutout subject

First make a transparent PNG of your subject with Remove Background, then use Place Image… again. Scale it with the corner handle and drag it to one side so there's room for the title.

A camper van cutout placed on the right side of the mountain background
The cutout sits on the right.

#4. Give the cutout a drop shadow

With the cutout layer selected, choose Layer > Layer Effects… and tick Drop Shadow. It lifts the subject off the background. Drop shadow, glow and stroke covers every setting.

The Layer Effects panel with Drop Shadow ticked
Drop Shadow on the cutout layer.

#5. Add a big, bold title

Press T, click near the top left and type a short title. Three or four words read best at small sizes. Set the size very large (190 here) and choose a heavy font such as Impact or Bebas Neue from the font menu.

The Text options bar set to Impact at size 190, above the thumbnail with the words FOUND IT in large white lettering
A short title in a heavy font.

#6. Make the title stand out with Text Effects

Click Text Effects in the options bar and tick Stroke and Drop shadow. The panel also has Inner shadow, Outer glow, Inner glow, Satin, Gradient fill, Pattern fill, Bevel & emboss, Background, Blur, Grain and Fire / Ice. A dark outline keeps white text readable on any background.

The Text Effects panel with Drop shadow and Stroke ticked
Text Effects with Stroke and Drop shadow.

#7. Check it small, then export

Zoom out until the thumbnail is about the size it will be in search results, and make sure the title still reads. Then click Save as Copy, and choose JPEG in the Export tab to keep the file small.

The finished thumbnail: a camper van on a mountain slope with the title FOUND IT in large white letters
The finished thumbnail.

#Tips

  • Use few words and big letters. Most people see a thumbnail very small.
  • Contrast does more than decoration. A dark stroke and a shadow help more than a fancy font.
  • YouTube sets its own maximum file size and ratio for thumbnails, so check them before you upload.

#Questions

What size is a YouTube thumbnail?
The editor's YouTube Thumbnail preset is 1280 × 720 pixels, which is 16:9.
Can I make a thumbnail without an online tool?
Yes. The Pluto Photos editor runs on your computer, so the photos you use are never uploaded.

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