242: IGTV: How To Create Custom Thumbnail Images in Photoshop
Instagram TV Cover Image Dimensions

IGTV: How To Create Custom Image in Photoshop
IGTV = Instagram TV
Housekeeping (Pre-Tutorial):
- Video tutorial is at the end of the article if you want to skip all the text.
- I use Photoshop, but same guidelines apply in Canva, Gimp, PicMonkey…
- For a free trial of Adobe Creative Cloud/Photoshop:
https://mikemurphy.co/adobe - Download Free Cover Template Photoshop File (no email required):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/aw6hbi2hz7dqld0/IGTV_COVER%20TEMPLATE.psd?dl=1 - Instagram Help Center: https://help.instagram.com/381435875695118
- Follow Me on Instagram: @mikeunplugged
- Bonus Trivia: What does the timecode 9:41 signify?
The Tutorial:
This tutorial will show you all the dimensions and best practices for designing a custom thumbnail image for your IGTV Videos.
- In Photoshop:
Create New Document:
420 pixels wide by 654 pixels Tall
Resolution: 72 ppi

2. Create Margin Guides in Photoshop: .40"
Keep important text and graphics away from the edges (inside the margin guides)
Note: Background image/color should cover the whole document (full bleed)

3. Placeholders (Always visible on IGTV):
Duration of Video in Upper Right
Title (2 lines of text)
Profile Picture bottom left
Profile Name

4. Design Custom Thumbnail
Keep important text & graphics in ‘Safe Zone’
Keep important text & graphics inside Margins
Background image or color from edge to edge (outside of margins)
Export Custom Thumbnail as JPEG

5. Upload Custom Image To IGTV
1. Upload from Phone (Edit Cover)
2. Upload in Web Browser (Edit)


Download Free Cover Template Photoshop File (no email required):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/aw6hbi2hz7dqld0/IGTV_COVER%20TEMPLATE.psd?dl=1
Video Tutorial:
Follow on Instagram: @mikeunplugged
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