How to Create Snapchat Filter – If you are looking for an easier way to create snapchat filters, you are in luck. This tutorial will teach you exactly how to create your own Snapchat filter. Choose between a variety of colours and add only the overlay that you like the most.
I know that Snapchat has recently gained popularity, with many users installing the filter to create their own looks. So, I thought it would be useful to show you how you can create your own filter. This will work both on Android and iPhone devices.
Table of Contents
What is a Snapchat filter?
A Snapchat filter is an overlay for photographs that you can create and purchase to advertise your brand. Also called a Snapchat Geofilter, is essentially the tool in the app that allows businesses (and personal accounts) to create your very own custom Snapchat filters promoting your brand or message.
You can make filters available for lengths of time, as well as in specific locations. A Snapchat filter that targets a particular location is a Geofilter.
“A Geofilter is a location-based overlay you can find by swiping right on your Snapchat photo,” says HubSpot. “It’s a particularly useful tool for promoting your business… A Geofilter can help you alert foot traffic to your business’s nearby proximity, and spread awareness to users both in and outside your chosen location.”
Why businesses should use Snapchat filters
Snapchat filters are one of the main ways Snapchat was able to successfully grow their popularity. Before Snapchat introduced the world to these swipeable filters, the app was download 600,000 times each day worldwide; once Snapchat filters were added to the platform the daily download rate DOUBLED.
A Snapchat filter, left, is overlay, as opposed to a VR lens, right.
One study found that one of the main reasons users spend time on Snapchat is because of the filter feature. Realizing this, Snapchat has made it possible for businesses to grow their brands by creating their own branded Snapchat filters.
Geofilters also have been found to get a wide amount of visibility with 40 to 60% of the daily Snapchat audience seeing them, according to HubSpot. In fact, a Geofilter run by Bell Media for students at the University of Alabama reached 19,000 people in just five hours!
Now that you understand how valuable these babies are, here is how you can go about creating your very own Snapchat filters to draw even more eyes onto your brand.
How to Create Snapchat Filter
Steps
- Go to https://create.snapchat.com. You can use any web browser to make your own Snapchat filters. Popular ones include Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.
- The filter editor will load with a preview of what your filter will look like on a phone.
- On the left side of the page, you’ll see templates that you can use.
- On the right side of the page, you can change editing tools between Color, Text, and Elements.
- Design your filter. You can use a template then add color, text, and elements like Bitmoji to your filter.
- If you decide to upload an image from your computer, the max file size you can upload is 300KB with a recommended resolution of 72 DPI. It should be 1080px wide and 2340px high and saved in a PNG format with a transparent background.
- Click Next. You’ll see this yellow button near the bottom right corner of your web browser. A calendar of how long you want your filter to be available will load.
- Pick the dates you want your filter to be available. You can click the calendar to choose the dates you want your filter available or you can select the box next to “Run indefinitely, renewing annually” to make your filter forever available.
- Click Next. You’ll see this yellow button near the bottom right corner of your web browser. A map will appear.
- Select where you want your filter available. You have to create a geofence around the area where you want your filter to be available. Only Snapchatters in the geofence will be able to apply the filter to their Snaps.
- Use the search bar to enter a location and outline the geofenced area.
- Click Checkout. It’s a button near the bottom right corner of your web browser. A page will load for you to enter payment information, opt to log in, and view your order summary.
- Fill out the order details. Use the drop-down menu under “Usage Type” to designate if your filter is for personal or business-related usage, then give your filter event a name (optional).
- Under the “Payment” header, enter your payment information including your card number and the name on the card.
- Make sure the information under “Order Summary” is correct before continuing. If not, navigate back to the areas you want to change.
- Click the box next to “I have read…” to check it. If you haven’t read the Privacy Policy or Terms of Service as well as the Custom Creative Tool Terms and Conditions, do that before checking the box and continuing.
- Click Submit. Your filter will be submitted and you will receive an email when it’s accepted and ready to use.
How to make your brand’s Snapchat filters successful
Now that you know how to set-up your very own Snapchat filter, you need to make sure you’re using them effectively for your business. Well, we have done some digging and these five tips that will ensure your filters are not only acceptable, but phenomenal at engaging your target audience!
1. Set a plan with specific goals
Just blindly creating Snapchat filters for your businesses radius is likely not going to be super effective at engaging your audience. And, worse, it could feel random or even obnoxious to Snappers. This is why having a specific plan in place as to what the goal of your filter is and why you want people to use it will be most effective.
For instance, are you a floral shop running campaigns around Mother’s Day flower arrangements? Then a couple weeks pre-Mother’s Day when folks are starting to think about sending out deliveries may be a good time to sponsor a Mother’s Day related Snapchat filter with this reminder.
The bottom line is that having a goal set and purpose for your filter will ensure it will actually spark interest and benefit your bottom line.
2. Put yourself your customer’s shoes
Would you, as a potential customer, use this Snapchat filter? This is the question you should always ask as you are creating your Snapchat Geofilter. If it does not feel like something your audience members would actually use, then what is the point?
Making it fun, entertaining, and timely are some ways to ensure your customers will use it. Perhaps playing off a recent SNL skit or incorporating some holiday related content that gets your audience members to feel warm and fuzzy inside. Always thinking about how to relate most to your audience members, and getting into their mindset will ensure your business Snapchat filters resonate.
3. Follow the specs outlined by Snapchat
While this one might sound obvious, it can be easy to overlook. Why waste time and money designing your beautiful Snapchat filter to have it disapproved by the platform? Here are the artwork guidelines outlined by Snapchat that you need to follow:
- File dimensions: 1080px wide by 2340x high
- Max file size: 300 KB
- DPI: 72 (*error message is DPI too high)
- File type: PNG with a transparent background
- Ensure your filter only takes up roughly 25% of either the top or bottom of the screen (Snapchatters want to see themselves!)
Snapchat also provides are longer list of submission guidelines and tips here.
4. Simplicity is best
You’ll notice the last bit of advice in Snapchat’s list of guidelines for filter approval includes ensuring your filter takes up no more then 25% of the frame at the top or bottom. This is for a reason! Your audience members are using Snapchat primarily for selfie-taking and do not want a huge logo of your brand draping across their face.
Stick to simple designs that are relevant and do not take up tons of space. If you really want your target audience to use your filter, you need to ensure they are not overly salesy. Remember, the main reason people use filters is not to promote your business. Here’s a great example from The Detroit Zoo.
5. Evaluate and improve as time goes on
Just like with all of your marketing campaigns, you should be evaluating the effectiveness of your Snapchat filters. Luckily, Snapchat has a built-in analytics tool to gain insight into how your filters were used and viewed by Snappers. To take a look at your metrics click on the three-line icon on the top left-hand corner, select “My Orders,” chose your filter, and view the metrics. You’ll be able to evaluate filter metrics like swipes, uses, views, and overall usage. These analytics can also be downloaded to a CSV.
Conclusion
Many people think that Snapchat filters are only designed for the purpose of changing the look of a picture. You can use them in many different ways, from converting yourself into a cartoon to sending a message with a scribbled face. But there’s a way to make almost any text appear in a crazy filter…