Your blog needs clear, crisp images for a number of reasons, and thankfully, image creation tools are easy to find online. Each post should have a vertical (long) image that is designed for Pinterest, with bright colors and a helpful text overlay. They should also have a wider, horizontal image for sharing on Facebook and Twitter.
If you have a long post, you’ll want to use images to help tell your story and break up long pieces of text.
There are three image creation tools I’m currently using to create the images for my blog and social media. I love them all for different reasons, and though I could probably cut down to just a single tool, I like the flexibility and features that each of them offer.
So, let’s dive into the three image creation tools that make blog images easy, shall we?
Blog Image Creation Made Easy with these Simple Tools
1. Picmonkey
Picmonkey will likely always be my first love when it comes to creating and editing graphics for my blog. It’s just so easy! I use Picmonkey to create Pinterest graphics, cute graphics for my gift guides, and any time I need a button or banner for a blog post. It’s also great for a quick resize or crop!
There is a free version of Picmonkey, which I used for the first 6 months or so. This will get you the basic editing tools, touch up features, fonts, and overlays. It can get you started if you need an easy solution for blog images.
However, I quickly realized the value in upgrading to the Picmonkey Royale plan. For an annual fee that equals about $3/month (less than a Starbucks frappe, yay!), I am able to do much more with the program, including more advanced fonts and effects, editing after saving an image, and templates!
Collages are also easy to make with Picmonkey. You simply choose multiple pictures from your computer or Facebook, add them into one of the collage templates, and you’re done. These are great if you have multiple photos for a product review, or you are doing a roundup of recipes or crafts.
2. Canva
I recently switched to creating my Pinterest images in Canva. I purchased a pack of templates from Kristin at Believe in a Budget, and it has drastically decreased the amount of time it takes me to create a single pin. Plus, my branding is now ON POINT!
With Canva, you can quickly change up colors, fonts, and text on the templates to keep your branding cohesive while creating new images for your blog posts. Once I figured it all out, including choosing my blog’s fonts and colors, I can create an image in less than 10 minutes.
Plus, Canva’s preloaded templates make other social media images easy to create. I come to Canva when I need an image that is a specific size, such as a Facebook cover photo.
I use the free version of Canva, but there is a Canva for Work version available for $12/month. The only con I’ve found with the free version, is the inability to resize your image. Picmonkey allows this for free, so it’s a bit of a pain to save an image in Canva, just to upload it in Picmonkey to resize it.
3. Stencil
I recently discovered Stencil, and I am in love! They also allow you to save and edit templates, so I’ve been using it to make my Facebook and Twitter images. I already have the background image set to the perfect transparency, so all I have to do is change the text and color, add a new background, and voila!
Stencil comes pre-installed with over 800,000 free images and over 100,000 quotes. I have been using them to create graphics to share on Facebook and Instagram. Just something a little different so I’m not always spamming my Facebook page with links to my blog.
With Stencil, I have always been able to find a background image for my creations, so I don’t have to worry about paying for stock images elsewhere! You can upload your own background images though, if you wish.
There is a free version of Stencil that will allow you to create up to 10 images per month. I actually have the unlimited plan that lets me create as many images as I need. It also gives me access to all of the photos, icons, and templates they offer.
Do you use any of these blog image creation tools? Which is your favorite?
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Canva is wonderful regarding ease of use. Haven’t tried Stencil or PicMonkey yet – thanks for the suggestions!
Wow, I didn´t know Stancil at all :O Thank you for sharing the knowledge!
Hey Kecia,
I have used Canva and PicMonkey from which Canva is the best graphic tool. It provides more freedom to its users than PicMonkey.
I have never come across Stencil before. It’s good to know about another new image creation tool.
Thanks for the info.
Have a great day.
~Ravi
Well this was helpful. I use PicMinkey Royals but sometimes lose my patience with it that I need to start over each time. Might be time to start something new!
I’ve never used these tools but my photos are usually photos I’ve taken myself and I’ve got photoshop to help me out. But that’s definitely not an option for everyone.
i have just learned how to use PicMonkey and i lvoe it. Not sure how Canva works but Stencil sounds fun.
I love it when I find a post that is about EXACTLY what I need at the time! Thank you for sharing these three tools – I only knew of Pic Monkey and am excited to try out the other two!
I love love LOVE Canva! I use it for my images, workbooks, content upgrades, presentations, EVERYTHING! Lol. Can’t you tell I love it!
I desperately needed this. As a blogger just starting out, I’m still learning all the ins and outs and cool tools that everyone uses. I’ve heard rave reviews of Canva and will have to check it out ASAP. Wonderful to know that you can purchase templates.
Hello Kecia,
I am a newbie mom blogger. I have used Canva and PicMonkey. I found Canva is the easiest one. I have never come across Stencil before. It’s good to know about another new image creation tool.
Thanks for the information.
I have never heard of Stencil before! Sounds interesting and I need to look into it. I am pretty PicMonkey loyal, so I need to expand my horizons.
I didn’t realise there were 3 options, I use the pro picmonkey and love it, plus there are new layering features that definitely make it worth it! (in my opinion :p )
I’ve never tried Stencil! I love finding new image creation tools. I get bored easily LOL and need new fonts, etc.
Again, thank you for the information. I am going to check out Stencil. Like you, I like to post something on FB that isn’t from my blog!
Love PicMonkey and Canva and I use them all the time. Never heard of Stencil but am totally checking it out b/c I’m sure it will be another fabulous tool!
Canva is my favorite! I need to learn more about the others, I have heard great things about PicMonkey
I haven’t heard of Stencil but it sounds amazing! I will have to try it. Canva is my go to right now.
I love PicMonkey and Canva, but I haven’t heard of Stencil. I’ll definitely have to check that out! This was a great roundup!
Omg I love pic monkey!!!! Pic monkey and photoshop are how I create all my blog images!
I love canvas right now for everything! I find myself on it way too long some nights!
I hadn’t heard of Stencil before, I’ll have to check it out. I use PicMonkey and it is super easy.
I’m team canva. It has everything that you can ever think of. I tend to use it for my blog stuff.
These are great, It was totally fun checking them out! Thanks so much for sharing!
I still haven’t tried Canva. The templates make it all seem so easy and I could definitely use the time-saving!
I use canva for all my blog images! I love it! It makes everything so easy and I’ve learned a ton about design!
Thanks for these! I’ve only heard of and used Canva so I’ll have to check out the rest of these.
I have used Pick Monkey before but I have never used the other two, so thanks for sharing these are all great option for editing images and pictures.
Those tools will be of huge help! I love that there are plenty of image tools to choose from especially for people who are not that used to editing pictures.
Great tips. I use Canva but I could really use some templates to make my life easier. I haven’t tried picmonkey yet.
I love Picmoneky but have never tried the other two! I find picmoneky so easy to use but will have to check out the other two services!
Awesome post, so helpful as a Graphic Designer I use photoshop but these are wonderful!
https://camillajlovell.wordpress.com/
Hi Kecia,
I’m always looking for more tips that I can use to improve my social media images. I’m not a designer by no means, so I’m looking for tools that are easy to use and easy to learn.
I currently use Photoshop for my images. However, I do use Canva whenever I need a custom thumbnail for my YouTube channel. It’s a lot faster and easier to use than Photoshop.
I actually got an invitation to join Stencil for a lifetime account. I never picked it up because I had just started my blog and had no clue what it was. Looks like Stencil has definitely make it easier for you to create some awesome social media graphics.
I’ll also have to check out PicMonkey. I’ve heard of it, but have never taken the time to use it. Thanks for sharing the tools that you use to create your graphics. Which by the way, look awesome. I actually found you on Pinterest, so I know they are working.
Have a great day!
Susan
I am not using any of those tools however I must start from now on. 🙂 Thanks…