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Getting Started with Bannersnack: Create Your First Visual Design

Create an ad in Bannersnack with the Single Design editor. Learn how to choose a size, use templates, edit, preview, and export your design.

Updated this week

In this quick-start guide, you’ll learn how to use Bannersnack’s Single Design editor to create stunning visuals for display ads, social media posts, and more. Whether you’re new to design or just new to Bannersnack, this is the perfect place to begin.

Step 1: Choose Single Design

To start, select the “Single Design” option in the editor. This lets you create one ad or visual at a time. (You can create design sets later for multi-size campaigns.)

Bannersnack interface with two options: Single design for creating one static or animated visual, and Design set for generating multiple designs in different sizes.

Step 2: Pick the Right Ad Size

Choose a standard size for display advertising, social media, or enter a custom size to fit your needs. Common options include banner ads, Instagram posts, Facebook covers, and more.

Bannersnack 'Create a single design' screen showing a selection of ad sizes, including custom size, large rectangle, leaderboard, Facebook post, and YouTube channel cover.

Step 3: Select a Template

Once you’ve chosen your canvas size, pick a template to speed up your design process.
Bannersnack offers a wide range of static and animated templates, professionally designed to fit your style and use case.

Bannersnack editor workspace showing a selected 'Save up to 40%' promotional template from the Static Templates tab on the left panel, with the design preview displayed on the canvas.

Step 4: Add or Change Elements

Use the left-hand panel to drag and drop design elements like:

  • Backgrounds

  • Text blocks

  • Images

  • Shapes and buttons

  • Videos

  • Custom HTML

Everything is fully customizable to match your brand or campaign goals.

Bannersnack editor with the Button tab selected, displaying various call-to-action buttons like 'Download,' 'Subscribe,' 'Add to Cart,' and 'Buy Now' on the left panel, with a 'Save up to 40%' banner design shown on the canvas.

Step 5: Edit Individual Elements

Click on any element to open its editing menu. You can:

  • Change colors, fonts, and sizes

  • Apply filters or shadows

  • Adjust opacity, borders, and more

Use this panel to fine-tune every part of your design.

Bannersnack editor showing the Fill settings panel for a selected design element. Options include Solid, Gradient, Image, or None, with adjustable opacity, blur, and a drop shadow checkbox. The design canvas displays a 'Save up to 40%' promotional banner.

Step 6: Customize Slides and Layers

From the right-hand panel, you can:

  • Add or reorder slides

  • Set durations and transitions

  • Manage layers for stacking elements

This is especially useful for creating animated designs or multi-frame visuals.

Bannersnack editor showing a completed 'Save up to 40%' banner design. The timeline panel on the right displays a single slide with a duration set to 5.0 seconds, and a download button is visible in the top bar.

Step 7: Preview Your Work

Before finalizing, use the Preview button (top bar) to:

  • Watch the full design in motion

  • Preview individual slides or steps

  • Check timing, transitions, and animations

Bannersnack editor with the 'Preview' play button highlighted in the top toolbar. A banner reading 'Save up to 40% on all products' is shown on the canvas, and the right panel displays a single slide set to 5.0 seconds.

Bannersnack preview screen showing a 336x280 px design titled 'Untitled design' with the message 'Save up to 40% on all products.' Interface buttons for returning to the editor and estimating HTML5 size appear above the design.

Step 8: View Stats and Export

When you're ready, click View to open your design in a new tab. Here, you can:

  • Export your design

  • See performance stats

  • View the heatmap (for embedded designs)

Bannersnack workspace displaying multiple banner designs in a grid layout. One HTML5 banner titled 'test' is highlighted with options to View or Edit. Other banners shown include office ads, seasonal promotions, and a menu layout.

Step 9: Download or Embed

Export your finished design in the format that fits your campaign:

  • JPG, PNG, GIF

  • HTML5

  • Or copy the embed code for websites or platforms

Bannersnack design details page showing a 'Save up to 40%' banner. The panel displays design info including size, class, creator, and edit time. Export options include JPG, PNG, HTML, GIF, MP4, and PDF. Share link and public comment features are also enabled.

That’s It!

You’ve just created your first ad using the Bannersnack editor. Now you’re ready to explore more advanced features—or build a full design set.

Ready to start designing?

👉 Sign up for a free Bannersnack account – it only takes a minute.
👉 Already have an account? Log in here to continue where you left off.

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