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Recently I have been helping a few friends to set up their own blogs and it has inspired me to create a few blog-related posts that new bloggers will, hopefully, find useful. If you’d like to know more about starting your own blog please do consider joining my free Blogging for Beginners eCourse. You can sign up at the bottom of this post.
I thought I would start with how to create a blog header using *PicMonkey. I’m a huge fan and use it for all of my photo editing needs.
One of the first things you’ll probably want to do when you set up your new blog is to create a custom header. This is the banner that goes at the top of your blog normally with the name of your blog on it and perhaps an image or two. Below is a screenshot of my blog header as an example.
What is PicMonkey?
PicMonkey is an online photo editing and graphic design tool. It’s a free-to-try product. Personally, I think it’s one of the easiest photo editing sites to use so it’s perfect for newbie bloggers.
How to Create your Blog Header
Step One
To create a custom blog header for your blog the first thing you need to know is the optimal size for your particular blog theme. If you know the name of your blog theme type it into google and it should bring up a page that lists the features for your theme.
Once you have found the page with the details of your blog theme scroll down until you find the ‘specs’ section. Below is an example of the spec for my theme and as you can see it tells me that my blog header needs to be at least 1160 pixels wide.
Step Two
Once you have determined the size your header should be you then need to go to the *PicMonkey website. Click on the button at the top that says ‘Design’. Click ‘Custom Size’ and then add it your dimensions.
Then click ‘Make It!
Step Three
Now that you have your blank canvas at the right size it’s time to jazz it up with your own personal style. On the left-hand side, you will find all of the tools you need. If you want to change the background colour of your header you can click on ‘Canvas Colour’.
Step Four
You can add text to your header by clicking on the T symbols. There is a great variety of free fonts to choose from and even more if you want to upgrade to a paid account.
Click on ‘Add Text’ and a text box will appear. Click on that and then start typing. You can change the font by highlighting what you have written and clicking on the font you wish to use from the menu on the left.
You can resize your text using the Textbox that pops up. Seen on the right-hand side in the image below. You also have the ability to move the text to wherever you want it to be by simply clicking on it and dragging it to the right place.
To change the colour of your font also use the text box. Highlight your text and pick the colour you want from the colour scale. Alternatively, if you know the colour code you want to use (for example mine is #f6d464) you can put that in where you see the 000000 numbers.
Step Five
Now you have your text you can add in some fancy overlays by clicking on the butterfly symbol located on the left-hand side. You can either use the overlays that *PicMonkey provides or you can upload your own by clicking the ‘Add you Own’ button.
Again like the fonts, there is a great selection to choose from.
To add an overlay just click on the one you want and it will appear on your canvas. You then have the ability to resize it and move it around.
There are lots of other options in the left-hand sidebar including effects, touch up, frames and textures. I’d suggest having a play around with all of the features to see what you can create.
Step Six
Once you are happy with your new blog header all you need to do is click save.
I’d love to know how you get on creating your header and please feel free to ask me any questions using the comments box below.
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Great post and very useful. I’ve always used a photo but want to have a logo type header which I can then use across social networks so it’s the same branding. Hopefully it will work- will have a go tonight.
Hi Lynsey, glad you think the post is useful. I’d love to see what you come up with when you’ve finished.
If you have any questions please do ask 🙂
I have made all my banners using Pic Monkey! It’s such a fantastic tool/website. I would be lost without it.
Me too Kim. It’s just so easy to use and they have some great features 🙂
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