Having a Facebook cover photo that combines multiple pictures into one image is a great way to showcase different photos or create a collage effect. With the right tools and techniques, it’s easy to make a multi-picture Facebook cover that looks professional and eye-catching.
What are the requirements for a Facebook cover photo?
Before making your multi-picture cover photo, it’s important to understand Facebook’s requirements for cover images:
- The dimensions need to be 851 pixels wide by 315 pixels tall. If the image is any smaller, Facebook will stretch it to fit and it may look distorted.
- The file size should be under 100 MB. Large files may not upload properly.
- JPEGs often look best. PNGs with transparency are also fine.
As long as your finished collage meets these requirements, it will work as a Facebook cover photo.
Use an image editing app
To combine multiple photos into one cover image, you’ll need to use an image editing application. Some options include:
- Canva: Canva is a free graphic design platform that makes it easy to merge photos and customize cover templates. They have templates sized specifically for Facebook cover photos.
- Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop offers advanced editing tools for combining images. The learning curve is steeper, but it provides greater control over your design.
- GIMP: GIMP is a free, open-source alternative to Photoshop that can also be used to edit and stitch together multiple images.
- PicMonkey: PicMonkey is an online photo editor with collage templates and graphics tailored to social media sizes.
Any app that allows layers, transparency, resizing, and repositioning of images will work. Choose one suited to your design experience and needs.
Create a blank canvas
Start by opening up a new blank file in your editing app at the Facebook cover dimensions of 851 x 315 pixels. The canvas needs to be this size for your finished collage to work properly as a cover photo.
Set the canvas background to the color you want behind your images. Often a solid white or gray background works well.
Add and edit your photos
Import the photos you want to include into your editing application. Place them on separate layers on top of the background so you can move them around.
Resize and position the photos to arrange them how you want within the Facebook frame. Make sure to leave some blank background showing – don’t scale the images up to fill the entire canvas.
Use cropping, rotating, and other tools to perfect the composition. Adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and other settings to get the right look for each picture.
If needed, convert the pictures to black and white or sepia for a consistent style. Apply filters like vignette or blur to accentuate certain photos.
Blend the images together
To make the separate photos look cohesive, use blending modes and reduce the opacity on layers. Overlaying images with lowered opacity can create an appealing faded collage effect.
Add design elements like borders, backgrounds, and graphics to further tie the images together. Frame the photos or add embellishments to make a themed collage.
You can also use masking to seamlessly merge images. Carefully cut out and layer pictures to make a continuous landscape or abstract design.
Save and export
When your multi-picture cover photo design is complete, export it as a JPEG. Make sure the finished file size is under 100 MB.
Save a high resolution copy for printing. For digital use, export the JPEG at 851 x 315 pixels to meet Facebook’s cover image specifications.
Compress the file or lower the image quality if needed to reduce the file size. Some photo editors like Photoshop have optimization features that make this easy.
Upload to Facebook
Go to your Facebook profile and hover over the camera icon in the cover photo area. Select “Update Cover Photo” and choose your new multi-picture image file.
Click “Save Changes” to set it as your new timeline header. Your creative cover collage will now be visible to your profile visitors.
Tips for an eye-catching multi-photo cover
- Use 3-5 photos for best results. Too many pictures can look busy.
- Pick a mix of portraits and landscapes. Variety makes the collage more interesting.
- Overlap some images for depth and layered look.
- Include photos with people’s faces for optimal engagement.
- Tie it to your brand or interests for relevance.
- Align horizon lines in landscape images for cohesion.
- Fade and desaturate weaker photos so stronger ones pop.
With the right tools and techniques, you can easily blend multiple photos into an engaging, professional-quality Facebook cover. Get creative with compositions and don’t be afraid to experiment until you achieve the perfect overlay collage effect.
| Image Editing App | Platform | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canva | Web, iOS, Android | Free | Intuitive design, photo collage templates, resize images |
| Photoshop | macOS, Windows | Paid subscription | Advanced editing tools, layers, masking, filters |
| GIMP | macOS, Windows, Linux | Free | Open source, layers, customizable brushes |
| PicMonkey | Web | Free and paid plans | Online editor, collage graphics, social media templates |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best app for making a Facebook cover collage?
Canva is one of the easiest and most user-friendly tools for making multi-photo Facebook covers. Adobe Photoshop offers the most advanced editing capabilities for complex collages. GIMP is great free alternative.
What size should my Facebook cover photo be?
Facebook cover images need to be 851 pixels wide x 315 pixels tall. Making your collage any smaller will cause it to look stretched or distorted.
Can I use copyrighted images in my Facebook cover?
No, you can only use photos you own or have permission to use. Using copyrighted images without permission is illegal.
How do I change my Facebook cover on mobile?
Open the Facebook app, tap your profile picture, then tap “Update Cover Photo.” Select your multi-picture cover file and save the changes.
How often can you change your Facebook cover photo?
There is no limit to how often you can change your Facebook cover image. You can upload and swap in a new cover collage as frequently as you like.
Conclusion
Making a Facebook cover photo with multiple images is easy with the right editing tools. Using an app like Canva or Photoshop, you can layer and blend photos to create an eye-catching collage. Customize the look with textures, graphics and frames to tie the images together. Resize your finished cover to 851 x 315 pixels before uploading it to Facebook. With some creative photography and editing skills, you can make a multi-picture cover that captures attention.