Adding your own custom background to Facebook posts is not a built-in feature on the platform. However, there are some workarounds that allow you to essentially create the effect of a custom background for your posts.
Using Photo Editing Software
One of the easiest ways to create a custom background is to use photo editing software like Photoshop, GIMP, or Pixlr to create your desired background image. You can add graphics, colors, textures, etc. to create exactly the look you want.
Then, simply save the edited image and upload it to Facebook as you normally would any photo. When you go to create your post, you can add text over top of the custom background image.
The main downside to this method is that the background image will take up the entire space of your post, rather than sitting behind the text. So you’ll need to position your text carefully so that it is readable and fits well over the background visually.
Steps to create a custom background in a photo editor:
- Open your image editing software and create a new blank canvas sized for Facebook’s dimensions of 940 x 788 pixels.
- Add your choice of colors, graphics, textures to the canvas to create your background design.
- Save or export the finished background image as a JPG or PNG file.
- Upload the background photo to your Facebook page or profile like any other photo.
- When creating a new post, select the background image and add your text over top.
Using Canva
Another option is to use the online graphic design tool Canva. Canva has templates specifically sized for different social media platforms, including Facebook post templates.
You can use one of Canva’s pre-made background templates or create your own custom background from scratch. Once finished, you can download your design as an image and upload it to Facebook as your background photo for a post.
The benefits of using Canva are that it’s free, easy to use, and has many stylish templates and design elements to choose from. You can also precisely position your text within the Canva template over your background image.
Steps to create a custom Facebook post background in Canva:
- Go to Canva.com and sign up for a free account.
- Search for the “Facebook Post” template category.
- Browse background templates or use the “Upload your own” option to add your background.
- Customize the template by adding graphics, changing colors, etc.
- Add your text over top of your designed background.
- Download the finished design as a JPG or PNG image.
- Upload the downloaded background image to your Facebook page or profile.
- Create a new post using the background image with your text.
Using CSS Box Shadows
For people comfortable with basic HTML and CSS code, you can use CSS box shadows to create the look of a custom background behind your text in a Facebook post.
By applying the box-shadow property to the container element that holds your text, you can make it appear as if the text is overlaid on top of a colored background:
Example CSS:
.container {
box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 1000px #3b5998;
}
This will apply a Facebook blue colored box shadow behind the text content to look like a background. You can adjust the color and other properties to create different background effects.
To use custom CSS, you’ll need to create your post using the Facebook notes feature rather than a normal status update. You can copy/paste your HTML and CSS code into the note composer. Then the styled post with custom background will be visible on your profile or page’s timeline like a regular post.
Using Background Images in HTML
If you know HTML, you can use a background image property to add a background directly in the code:
<div style="background-image: url('background.jpg');">
Post text here
</div>
This will pull in the background.jpg image as the background for the div container block. You can position the text on top using regular HTML and CSS.
Again, this code would need to be added when composing a new Facebook note post. But it allows for the most flexibility in styling your custom background.
Using Facebook Post Background Apps
Some third-party apps exist that can add custom backgrounds to your Facebook posts for you. They work by essentially using the photo editing method behind the scenes.
Two examples of Facebook post background apps include:
- Socialtoo
- ItsPoster
These apps allow you to choose from pre-made templates or upload your own background image. You add your text, and then the app handles applying your text to the background image and publishing it as a post for you.
The benefits of these tools are speed and design convenience. But be aware they often limit how many posts you can make for free before requiring a paid subscription.
Limitations
Using any of these workarounds does have some limitations to note:
- Your text will be overlaid on top of the background image rather than sitting behind it. So legibility can be an issue if the background is too busy.
- The background will take up the full size of your post’s image rather than residing behind the text only.
- Formatting options may be more limited compared to a regular text-only status update.
- Background images won’t automatically carry over if your post is shared or reshared by others.
Conclusion
While Facebook doesn’t allow you to natively apply background colors or images to posts, there are some creative workarounds. Photo editing software, Canva, CSS, HTML, and third-party apps can all help you simulate the look of a custom background.
This can help your posts stand out in people’s feeds and allow you to brand posts for your business or organization. Just keep in mind the limitations and that your text will display on top of the background image.
With a little creativity, you can find methods to add some visual flair to your Facebook posts beyond the standard white background!
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Photo editing software | – Full customization options – Can precisely position text |
– Text overlays image -Need image editing skills |
| Canva | – Easy to use templates – Text positioning options |
– Limited customization – Must download image |
| CSS box shadows | – Code-based customization | – Requires HTML/CSS skills – Text overlays shadow |
| Background images in HTML | – Full design flexibility | – Requires HTML skills – Text overlays image |
| Facebook post apps | – User-friendly – Lots of templates |
– Subscription fees – Text overlays image |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a background color to my Facebook post?
No, there is no built-in option to add a colored background to Facebook posts. You can simulate a colored background using a solid color image or CSS code workarounds.
Will my background image show up on mobile?
Yes, any background image or effect you add will be visible both on desktop and in the Facebook mobile apps on iOS and Android.
Do I need Photoshop to make a custom Facebook post background?
No, while Photoshop is a great tool for making custom Facebook post backgrounds, there are free online alternatives like Canva that can be used as well.
Can I use a background image in Facebook comments?
No, unfortunately these background image workarounds only apply to creating posts, not Facebook comments. Comments can only use the default white background.
Is adding a background image against Facebook’s policies?
No, Facebook allows users to get creative with images in posts, so using your own custom background image does not go against their policies. However, backgrounds with offensive, distasteful, or inappropriate content would not be allowed per Facebook’s community standards policies regarding shared content.
Key Takeaways
- Use photo editing apps to create a background image and add text over it
- Leverage Canva’s templates and tools to design a custom Facebook post background
- Apply CSS box shadows to simulate a background color effect behind post text
- Add background images and style posts using HTML code in Facebook notes
- Third-party social media tools like Socialtoo can autogenerate posts with backgrounds