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Video thumbnails are one of the first aspects that viewers come into contact with when looking through your video posts. They serve as a sneak peek of what they can expect if they click to view your content.
Subsequently, it is worthwhile to create captivating thumbnails that can pique the interest of potential viewers and entice them to click and view your posts. You can do this on CapCut at no cost as it is a free online video editor.
Not sure where to begin? Worry not. Read on as we outline all the steps and insights you need to make winning thumbnails on CapCut.
Table of Contents
Different Ways to Create Thumbnails on CapCut
There are two ways to create a video thumbnail on CapCut.
The first option is to screenshot specific frames of your video footage and edit them into thumbnails. Alternatively, you can create a thumbnail from scratch using different images.
Here are brief guides to help you achieve both options.
Creating Thumbnails Using Screenshots
Using video screenshots to design your thumbnail takes just a few steps.
Access CapCut and Import Video
- Open the CapCut video editor on your browser
- Start a new project by clicking ‘+’
- Select the video that you would like to make a thumbnail for
- Click ‘Add’ to import the video to the editor
Find the Ideal Thumbnail Picture
CapCut displays imported videos on the editor in a frame-by-frame timeline.
- Play the video to find the frame that would make a suitable thumbnail
- Pause the video when you find the right image
- After you pause, you can click on that frame on the video timeline to ensure it is well-displayed on the video player
- Click on the expander to switch to a full-screen display
- Take a screenshot of the frame
Edit the Thumbnail Picture
- Exit the editor
- Click ‘+’ and import the screenshot you captured
- Select the ‘Edit’ option
- Click on ‘Edit’ in the following menu
- Select the ‘Crop’ tool
- Use it to trim the screenshot as required
Tip: consider using the preset cropping options if you are creating a thumbnail for a video that you will upload on social media.
When you finish cropping, click the tick mark to confirm and implement your edits.
Add Creative Touches
As we mentioned above, a great thumbnail should have elements or information that entices potential viewers. Therefore, a plain screenshot may not cut it. Consider:
You can use the CapCut text tools to add a brief caption that hints at what the video is about. Example: ‘CapCut Thumbnail Tutorial’. Select fonts and text backgrounds that make your caption stand out from the screenshot too.
Adjusting features such as brightness, color saturation, or contrast to make the thumbnail eye-catching.
The overlay tool allows you to add important details such as your logo to the thumbnail.
Filters can make your thumbnail stand out and blend some of the color changes you may have made to the screenshot. Test different options and pick any that you reckon enhances your thumbnail.
Export Your Thumbnail
Once you are done editing and are content, click on the ‘Export’ button to save the thumbnail. You can then add it to your video when uploading to different platforms.
Creating Thumbnails Using Alternative Photographs
This approach entails using photographs that you did not obtain from your video footage. Let’s look into how to navigate it.
Select a Preferred Image
- Open CapCut
- Initiate a new project by selecting ‘+’
- Select an ideal thumbnail picture
- Select ‘Add’ to import it
It is worth mentioning that you can use only one image or multiple images. For the latter, you will need to use the overlay tool as below:
- Under the ‘Edit’ menu, select ‘Overlay’
- Choose ‘Add Overlay’
- Select the additional image you want to use
- Choose ‘Add’ to import it
Once the overlay image is imported, you will need to blend or arrange the two images to create the thumbnail you envisioned.
For example, you can use the background remover to erase the background of the second video you imported to blend it with the first image. You can also drag the image in the foreground to position it appropriately.
Caption and Embellish
When your images are in place, consider adding a caption in the thumbnail to give viewers a teaser. Ensure that the text is visible and well-positioned. You can also use some of the decorative tips we have outlined above to embellish and perfect your thumbnail.
Save It
If your thumbnail meets your approval, tap the ‘Export’ button to either save it or begin uploading it to social media platforms.
Tips on Making an Outstanding Thumbnail
Optimize It
Social media platforms have unique regulations regarding the aspect ratio of videos that you can upload. It is thus advisable to match the size of the thumbnail to that of the video you will use it on. The CapCut crop or resize tools can help you do this in one step.
Keep It Concise
Catchy brief one-liners are all you need to make a great thumbnail. Remember, the goal is only to make viewers curious. Overly long captions would diminish that effect.
Aim for Visual Appeal
Aim for a thumbnail that will draw the eyes of viewers scrolling through posts. You can achieve this by:
- Incorporating bright, eye-catching but inviting colors like yellow, blue, purple, etc.
- Using images with feel-good effects like joyful faces, food displays, or cute pets.
- Creating an orderly image with clean edits.
The Wrap Up
Every media platform is now packed with different kinds of videos. It is, therefore, small yet impactful details like thumbnails or captions that may determine whether you will win over viewers or lose them to your competitors. Now that you have the magic of CapCut up your sleeve, take no chances, go on and slay the competition with your amazing videos and thumbnails.
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