Creator Toolkit

Check the design and gather feedback before publishing.

• Thumbnail PreviewerJamie’s pickSee your thumbnail and title in a realistic YouTube feed.Free
• TubeBuddy Thumbnail PreviewSee how your thumbnail appears across YouTube before publishing.Free (opens in a new tab)
• TestMyThumbnailsPreview a thumbnail and title before publishing.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• Thumbs UpCheck how your thumbnail and title look at different sizes.Free (opens in a new tab)
• Thumbnail Panda PreviewerPreview your thumbnail within a YouTube-style layout.Free (opens in a new tab)
• ThumbnailPeak CriticGet AI feedback on a thumbnail before publishing.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• ClickPilotPreview thumbnails together and share designs for feedback.Paid (opens in a new tab)
• Frame.ioJamie’s pickShare creative work for comments, review and version feedback.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)

Create the subjects, scenes and details you need.

• HiggsfieldJamie’s pickCreate and edit thumbnail assets with a choice of image models.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• Nano BananaJamie’s pickCreate and edit thumbnail images with Google’s image models.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• Leonardo.AiGenerate visual assets with a selection of image models.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• Adobe FireflyGenerate and edit images using Adobe and partner models.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• MidjourneyExplore visual concepts and create original image assets.Paid (opens in a new tab)
• IdeogramGenerate images and explore lettering within a composition.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• RecraftCreate illustrations, vector graphics and image assets.Free + paid options · Non-commercial use on free plan (opens in a new tab)
• KreaJamie’s pickGenerate, edit and enhance images across multiple models.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• ChatGPT ImagesJamie’s pickCreate and iteratively edit images in conversation.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• vidIQ Thumbnail MakerGenerate thumbnail ideas and customize them for your video.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• PikzelsGenerate thumbnail concepts and explore new variations.Paid (opens in a new tab)
• Magnific, formerly FreepikFind stock visuals and create image assets with AI tools.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)

Editors and tools for building your next thumbnail.

• Adobe PhotoshopJamie’s pickComposite photos, cut out subjects and build layered thumbnails.Free + paid options · Mobile only; desktop paid (opens in a new tab)
• PhotopeaEdit layered PSD files directly in your browser.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• CanvaJamie’s pickBuild thumbnails with templates, photos and drag-and-drop layouts.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• AffinityDesign layered graphics with photo editing and vector tools.Free (opens in a new tab)
• vidIQ Thumbnail MakerGenerate thumbnail ideas and customize them for your video.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• PikzelsGenerate thumbnail concepts and explore new variations.Paid (opens in a new tab)
• GGIMPEdit photos and compose layered graphics on your desktop.Free (opens in a new tab)
• Figma DesignJamie’s pickBuild reusable layouts and collaborate on visual designs.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)

Find the raw ingredients for a strong composition.

• PexelsFind stock photos and footage for your compositions.Free (opens in a new tab)
• UnsplashJamie’s pickFind photographic subjects, locations and backgrounds.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• Magnific, formerly FreepikFind stock visuals and create image assets with AI tools.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• Adobe StockFind photos, footage, illustrations and graphic templates.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)

Find the right typeface for a readable headline.

• Google FontsJamie’s pickBrowse and download typefaces for thumbnail headlines.Free (opens in a new tab)
• Adobe FontsExplore typefaces for headlines and supporting text.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• WhatTheFontJamie’s pickIdentify a typeface from an image or screenshot.Free (opens in a new tab)
• FontshareDiscover type families and pairings for your headlines.Free (opens in a new tab)
• Font SquirrelBrowse typefaces and find fonts for your next composition.Free (opens in a new tab)
• DaFontJamie’s pickBrowse display fonts and lettering styles for your thumbnail headlines.Free + paid options · Commercial-use terms vary by font (opens in a new tab)

Simple symbols, vectors and supporting graphics.

• FlaticonJamie’s pickFind icons and small graphic elements for your design.Free + paid options · Attribution required on free plan (opens in a new tab)
• Noun ProjectFind simple symbols to communicate an idea visually.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• SVG RepoBrowse SVG icons and vectors for editable graphics.Free (opens in a new tab)

Set the scene with textures and color palettes.

• TexturelabsFind textures and practical Photoshop design tutorials.Free (opens in a new tab)
• Poly HavenFind textures, 3D objects and environment lighting.Free (opens in a new tab)
• ambientCGBrowse materials and textures for backgrounds and 3D scenes.Free (opens in a new tab)
• Adobe ColorJamie’s pickBuild color themes and explore palette combinations.Free (opens in a new tab)
• CoolorsJamie’s pickExplore trending color palettes for your next design.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)

Present products, devices and digital experiences.

• CleanShot XJamie’s pickCapture and annotate screenshots or record your screen on Mac.Paid (opens in a new tab)
• GyazoJamie’s pickCapture screenshots and short clips, then share them with a link.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• XnapperCreate balanced screenshots with backgrounds, annotations and redaction on Mac.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• Pika Screenshot EditorTurn screenshots into branded graphics with device frames and mockup templates.Paid (opens in a new tab)
• ShotsTurn screenshots into presentation-ready mockups.Free (opens in a new tab)
• RotatoCreate device mockups and animated product shots.Paid (opens in a new tab)

Test variations with viewers on published YouTube videos.

• YouTube Studio A/B TestingJamie’s pickTest title and thumbnail variations with your YouTube audience.Free (opens in a new tab)
• Thumbnail TestJamie’s pickRun thumbnail and title tests on published YouTube videos.Paid (opens in a new tab)
• TubeBuddy A/B TestingJamie’s pickTest thumbnail alternatives on your published videos.Paid (opens in a new tab)

Prepare photos, isolate subjects and sharpen details.

• remove.bgRemove a photo background to isolate your subject.Free + paid options · Free low-resolution images for personal use (opens in a new tab)
• Cleanup.picturesRemove unwanted objects and distractions from photos.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• UpscaylEnlarge small images with an open-source upscaler.Free (opens in a new tab)
• Topaz PhotoSharpen, denoise and upscale photos before compositing.Paid (opens in a new tab)
• Adobe LightroomJamie’s pickAdjust light, color and detail in your source photos.Free + paid options · Mobile only; desktop paid (opens in a new tab)

Prepare exports and save thumbnail references.

• Thumbnail DownloaderJamie’s pickDownload a YouTube thumbnail from a video link.Free
• ThumbnailPeak ResizerResize an image for use as a YouTube thumbnail.Free (opens in a new tab)
• Thumbnail Panda ResizerPrepare an image at YouTube thumbnail dimensions.Free (opens in a new tab)
• Thumbnail Panda DownloaderDownload a thumbnail from a YouTube video URL.Free (opens in a new tab)
• TinyPNGCompress image exports to reduce their file size.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)

Keep references and reusable assets close to hand.

• EagleOrganize images, references and design assets in a visual library.Paid (opens in a new tab)
• PureRefArrange visual references on a board beside your editor.Free + paid options · Free for personal use; commercial use paid (opens in a new tab)
• MilanoteBring references, notes and creative briefs together on a board.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• NotionJamie’s pickOrganize creative briefs, references and projects with pages and boards.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)

Footage, effects, audio and tools for the edit.

• EnvatoFind templates, stock footage, graphics and sound assets.Free + paid options · Selected free assets (opens in a new tab)
• Motion ArrayBrowse video templates, presets, footage and audio.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• MixkitFind stock clips, music, sound effects and video templates.Free (opens in a new tab)
• ProductionCrateAdd visual effects, motion graphics and sound effects.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• JitterAnimate text and graphics in your browser.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• Adobe After EffectsJamie’s pickCreate motion graphics, animated titles and visual effects.Paid (opens in a new tab)
• DaVinci ResolveEdit video, grade color and build effects in one workspace.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• ArtlistFind music, sound effects, footage and AI creation tools.Paid (opens in a new tab)
• RunwayGenerate and transform video for creative sequences.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)

Study videos and explore ideas for titles and thumbnails.

• Thumbnail LibraryJamie’s pickStudy thumbnail and title references for your next video.Free
• 1of10Jamie’s pickExplore outlier videos for ideas and thumbnail inspiration.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• VelioJamie’s pickResearch video ideas and study successful YouTube references.Paid (opens in a new tab)
• ViewstatsResearch channels and discover outlier video references.Free + paid options (opens in a new tab)
• vidIQ AI Title GeneratorExplore alternative titles for a YouTube video idea.Free (opens in a new tab)