Your LinkedIn banner is prime real estate for your personal brand. It's the first thing recruiters and connections see when they visit your profile. A custom banner shows professionalism and gives you a chance to convey your key message instantly. This guide will show you how to create a clean and effective banner in just a few steps.
Step 1: Use the Correct Canvas Size
LinkedIn's recommended banner size is 1584 x 396 pixels. Using the exact dimensions is crucial. It ensures your design looks sharp and fits perfectly across all devices—desktop and mobile—without unexpected cropping.
In the editor, select "Custom Dimensions" from the page size dropdown. Enter `1584` for the width and `396` for the height, select "px", and click the checkmark to create your canvas.
Step 2: Create a Subtle, Professional Background
A simple background keeps the focus on your message. A dark theme can look modern and sophisticated. We'll use a "Shape" element as our base and add a subtle accent to avoid a flat, boring look.
Pro Tip: Avoid busy background images. They can distract from your text and clash with your profile picture. A solid color with a subtle geometric or abstract accent works best.
First, add a "Rectangle" and stretch it to cover the entire canvas. Set its color to a dark charcoal or navy blue. Then, add a "Circle" element, make it large, and place it partially off-screen to create a soft, sweeping curve. Reduce its opacity to create a subtle, layered effect.
Step 3: Account for the Profile Picture
Your circular profile picture will cover the bottom-left portion of your banner. It's essential to keep this area clear of any important information like your name or logo. Designing around this "cutout" is key to a professional-looking banner.
Pro Tip: The profile picture's position can shift slightly between desktop and mobile. A good rule is to keep the entire left third of your banner free of critical text to be safe on all screen sizes.
We'll place a placeholder "Image" element where the profile picture will be. Add an "Image" element and in the Style Panel, set its "Corner Radius" to 50% to make it a perfect circle. This visual guide helps you arrange your other elements correctly.
Step 4: Display Your Core Message
This is where you tell people who you are and what you do. Add a "Heading" for your name and a "Text" element for your title or tagline (e.g., "Software Engineer | AI & Machine Learning Enthusiast").
Pro Tip: Your tagline should be concise and impactful. Use keywords relevant to your industry so recruiters can find you. For example, instead of "Hard-working professional", use "Certified Project Manager | Agile & Scrum".
Choose clean, readable fonts like 'Poppins' for the heading and 'Inter' for the body text. Position them on the right side to avoid being covered by the profile picture area we identified in the last step.
The Final Result
By combining these simple elements, you've created a polished and informative LinkedIn banner that strengthens your personal brand. Jump into the editor and start customizing it with your own details!