Facebook TimeLine – cover image template – free download!
The roll-out of TimeLine, the new look to Facebook pages, has caused somewhat of a stir. Many people kick against it, but many photographers use the banner space available to good effect. The good news is that once you get used to it, the Timeline view of Facebook is easy to implement; easy to use; and easy to navigate. Timeline also helps in clearly presenting your brand as a photographer, or whatever your interest or business might be.
The distinctive look of Facebook’s Timeline view starts with a banner consisting of a wide Cover image and a smaller Profile Image. The Cover Image is also what becomes the Page’s Icon next to every post.
As mentioned here a few days ago, I decided to embrace the new look on my photography page on Facebook with a banner using several of my favorite images. Instead of a single image, I wanted to show some variety. While I am a wedding photographer, I also do other photography work.
When I posted news about the update to my Facebook page, I had a bunch of people ask me how I managed to line up the the Profile Picture with the Cover Image.
Well, here’s how it is done …
While Facebook is an important part of my marketing, I’ve been too busy to attend to this upcoming deadline. Still, I wanted my Facebook page to look cool. So I had a photographer friend, Blonnie Brooks, (wedding photographer in Delaware), design it for me. From the images and logo I sent to her, she created the montage Cover Image, and the matching Profile Image, with little input from me.
With the great response to my updated Facebook page, and interest in how it was done, Blonnie was kind enough to make this a Photoshop template, with the two images lining up. You can find the tutorial and download the PSD file from her site. (The zip file contains the PSD file and the instructions again.)
So there is how I did it. With the generosity and kindness of a friend! Feel free to download and use it. (Remember to show some blog love there.)
Interestingly enough, for her own Facebook page, instead of multiple images, Blonnie decided to incorporate a single detail image with her branding.
And speaking of generosity, if you need thorough info on how to set up Facebook’s Timeline view, check out these two tutorials:
- Everything You Need to Know About Timeline for Facebook Pages, by Jamie M Swanson
- How to customize your Facebook posts with Timeline, by Sarah Lee Williams
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Blonnie Brooks: Delaware wedding photographer / Maryland wedding photographer
photography books by Neil vN
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Stay informed of new articles via the monthly newsletter.
Also join us on the Tangents forum for further discussions.
If you need more direct help or instruction on flash photography,
I do present workshops & seminars and also offer individual tutoring sessions.
If you find these articles interesting and of value, then you can help by
using these affiliate links to order equipment & other goodies. Thank you!
Oooh… I like the continuation of the image in the profile image. And how you’ve managed to make that square work as a standalone.
Methinks I need to revisit mine!
Comment by Ben Jamieson — March 13, 2012 @ 9:36 am
Love the blend of the two images. I predict many pages will be copying you soon :)
Comment by Scott Bideau — March 13, 2012 @ 10:25 pm
are you going to tease us with this or in the traditional Neil way of sharing knowledge tell us how its done???
Comment by MIKE — March 14, 2012 @ 4:37 pm
Comment by Neil vN — March 14, 2012 @ 4:58 pm
tease
Comment by MIKE — March 14, 2012 @ 6:38 pm
Does anyone know the size of that cover space? I’ve had problems getting an entire image to show up in the space. A tangent topic on how you continued that image in the square would be great.
Thanks for all you do!
Comment by Derek Johnson — March 15, 2012 @ 12:23 pm
Comment by Neil vN — March 15, 2012 @ 12:28 pm
cover is 851x 315……………and Neil, THANKS!(AS USUAL)
Comment by MIKE — March 15, 2012 @ 3:59 pm
Neil,
you promised and delivered! much thanks, mjs
Comment by mike — March 16, 2012 @ 10:29 am
Hey hey! Thanks so much for the shout-out! I love what you did with your cover & profile images. :)
Comment by Jamie Swanson — March 16, 2012 @ 11:07 am
I just wanted to add a few notes for people thinking of doing this.
Bear in mind that the distance that the profile photo overlaps with the cover photo is smaller for a “page” than it is for a personal “profile” so you need to lay them out differently depending on which you’re making the images for.
The way they overlap on a mobile platform for the profile page is different again so you’ll actually end up with a messy looking profile on a mobile if you create overlapping images. The timeline page header isn’t on the mobile site yet (for Android anyway) but that will probably be a fourth different alignment when/if they do enable it.
If you’re making these for people or for a page that represents your business it may make you look unprofessional when it doesn’t line up properly on a mobile.
You need to think about the image you’re using so you have something visually interesting as the profile photo. Neil’s works because there’s something in that bit of the image that will look alright on its own and the one on the template page also works because the image is just used as a background for a prominent logo design but if you use an image with dead space in that corner your profile photo will look really naff when it appears next to posts and comments.
Comment by Darren — March 16, 2012 @ 2:00 pm
Comment by blonnie — March 16, 2012 @ 2:11 pm
My Page in Desktop View:
My page as viewed in the iPhone app:
My personal profile with the same banner:
Comment by Neil vN — March 16, 2012 @ 2:32 pm
Thanks for the template as promised. I was able to quickly create a cover image using four photos from my offered services and using Smart Layers in PS I can easily switch photos and tag new clients every week.
Comment by Derek Johnson — March 16, 2012 @ 3:22 pm
Neil, I need to thank you for this post. I was not aware of how particular Facebook was about what information can be put on the Cover Image, which I realized after following through your link to Jamie M Swanson’s tutorial. I shared this info on my page and a couple of my photog friends are also VERY APPRECIATIVE.
Comment by Saravana — March 17, 2012 @ 1:02 am
Mine is done! thanks for the idea, but more importantly thanks for sharing the technique.
Comment by mike — March 22, 2012 @ 9:08 am
I’m using this free Facebook template at present http://www.bybe.net/blog/free-professional-facebook-page-design-template.html it’s pretty trendy but I need one with a contact form in php so it sends using my servers sendmail, anyone know of one?
Comment by Ricky Rick — April 26, 2012 @ 7:39 pm
Hey Neil, looks like facebook has changed the resolution of the profile pic, so the blending in of the profile pic and cover photo’s are misaligned on everyone’s page! :(
Comment by Ed — April 27, 2012 @ 6:00 am