Create a Thumbnail for Webtoon: New Square and Vertical Thumbnail

Summary

In this tutorial, Walter explains Webtoon's new thumbnail system, requiring two types of thumbnails: square and vertical. He provides a template to guide creators through the process, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the 'danger zone' where elements may be cropped out. Walter shares tips on creating simple, eye-catching thumbnails that convey the main character, genre, and artwork style. He also covers resizing, exporting, and optimizing file sizes for Webtoon's requirements, ensuring thumbnails are engaging and meet platform specifications.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Webtoon has updated their thumbnail system to include two types of thumbnails: a square one and a vertical one.
• 📐 The creator provides a template file to help guide the process of creating thumbnails for both layouts.
• 🖌️ Reusing art from previous works, like a graphic novel cover, is a recommended approach for creating thumbnails.
• 📋 When creating thumbnails, it's important to consider the 'safe zone' to avoid important elements being cropped out on the Webtoon platform.
• 📏 Thumbnails should be simple, ideally featuring a single character head or a bust shot, and should convey the main character, genre, and artwork style at a glance.
• 📷 For original art thumbnails, use a higher resolution template to allow for future reuse of the art.
• 📱 When pasting or drawing art for the thumbnail, it should be placed on a layer below the 'zone marker' layer to ensure visibility.
• 🔍 Layer opacity can be adjusted if the 'danger zone' shadow is too dark, and the 'safe zone' should be used for positioning important elements.
• 🖼️ Thumbnails should avoid cutting off elements like the top of a character's head and should include some shoulder area for better visual appeal.
• 📁 After finalizing the thumbnail, save it as a new file to preserve the template, and export it as a JPEG with the correct dimensions.
• 🗜️ If the exported file size is too large for Webtoon's requirements, reduce the quality or use a compression tool to meet the file size standards without noticeable quality loss.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video is about teaching viewers how to create thumbnails for both square and vertical layouts on Webtoon's updated system.

Who is the presenter of the video?

The presenter of the video is Walter.

Why did Walter choose to repurpose art from his graphic novel print cover for the thumbnail?

Walter chose to repurpose the art because he had already drawn the cover and could use it for multiple purposes, unlike a thumbnail drawn specifically for the purpose which would have limited reuse potential.

What are the two types of thumbnail images that need to be created according to the new Webtoon system?

The two types of thumbnail images that need to be created are a square one and a vertical one.

What is the purpose of the template file provided by Walter?

The template file is provided to guide viewers through the process of creating thumbnails and to ensure they adhere to the correct dimensions and safe zones for Webtoon's platform.

What should be considered when selecting an image for the thumbnail?

When selecting an image for the thumbnail, it's important to consider the safe zone to avoid cropping out important elements, and to include elements like the character's face and shoulders to give a clear representation of the comic.

What are some pointers for creating effective thumbnails?

Effective thumbnails should be simple, featuring a single character head or bust shot at most, and should convey the main character, genre, and style of the artwork at a glance.

How should the image be positioned in the template file?

The image should be positioned with important elements in the non-shadowed area, also known as the safe zone, to prevent them from being covered or cropped out when displayed on the Webtoon platform.

What is the recommended file format and size for exporting the thumbnail in Clip Studio?

The recommended file format is JPEG. For the square template, the size should be 1080 by 1080, and for the vertical template, it should be 1080 by 920.

What should be done if the exported thumbnail file is too large for Webtoon's requirements?

If the exported thumbnail file is too large, it should be re-exported with a lower quality setting, or the user can visit compressedjpeg.com to compress the file further without noticeable loss in quality.

Why might an image look pixelated when zoomed in over a hundred percent?

An image may look pixelated when zoomed in over a hundred percent because the viewer is trying to access more data than the file has, causing the software to make up the data with a best guess, resulting in pixelation.

What is the importance of DPI (dots per inch) when discussing image resolution?

DPI is important when discussing image resolution in terms of inches, like 3 inches by 4 inches. For such dimensions, a minimum of 300 DPI is recommended to ensure print quality.

How can viewers access the template file mentioned in the video?

The template file can be accessed through the link provided in the video description.

What should viewers do after creating and exporting their thumbnails?

After creating and exporting their thumbnails, viewers should go to Webtoon, navigate to their dashboard, edit their comic, upload the thumbnails, and click save.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Webtoon Thumbnail Creation Guide

The video script provides a step-by-step tutorial on creating thumbnails for Webtoon's updated system, which now requires two types: a square and a vertical layout. The presenter, Walter, shares a template file to assist in the process and suggests reusing existing artwork for efficiency. The template includes options for both standard and original art, with instructions to place the artwork on a layer below a 'zone marker' to avoid cropping issues on the Webtoon platform. Walter emphasizes the importance of positioning important elements in the 'safe zone' and offers tips for creating simple, effective thumbnails that convey character, genre, and art style. The tutorial also covers how to adjust image size, manage layer opacity, and export the final thumbnail in the correct format and size, with advice on reducing file size without compromising quality.

05:01

📚 Understanding Thumbnail File Sizes and Resolution

In the second paragraph, the focus shifts to addressing common concerns about file resolution and size when preparing thumbnails for Webtoon. The script clarifies misunderstandings regarding pixelation that occurs when images are zoomed in beyond 100%, explaining that it's a result of the software attempting to fill in missing data. It distinguishes between the importance of DPI (dots per inch) for print versus screen display, noting that for web use, the file's pixel dimensions are more relevant than DPI. The presenter also provides a solution for reducing file size to meet Webtoon's requirements by lowering the export quality or using an online tool like CompressedJPEG.com. Additionally, a public service announcement about the importance of checking image resolution at the correct zoom level is included, with a promise of a future video dedicated to resolution and DPI topics. The paragraph concludes with instructions for uploading the final thumbnails to Webtoon and an encouraging note to creators about the normalcy of self-doubt in the creative process.

Keywords

💡Webtoon

Webtoon refers to a style of digital comics originating from South Korea, characterized by their vertical scrolling format. In the video, the speaker discusses an update to Webtoon's thumbnail system, which is crucial for attracting readers to the comics on the platform.

💡Thumbnail

A thumbnail in the context of digital media is a small, representative image used to preview content, such as a comic or video. The video script explains how to create thumbnails for Webtoon in both square and vertical layouts, which are essential for capturing the viewer's attention.

💡Template File

A template file is a pre-designed document or image that serves as a guide for creating new content with a consistent format. The video mentions a template file created by the speaker to assist in designing thumbnails for Webtoon, ensuring they meet the platform's requirements.

💡Square Layout

Square layout refers to an image format with equal dimensions on all sides, typically used for social media and thumbnails. The script describes creating a square thumbnail for Webtoon, which is one of the two required formats.

💡Vertical Layout

Vertical layout is an image format that is taller than it is wide, suitable for platforms that scroll vertically. The video explains how to create a vertical thumbnail, which is the second required format for Webtoon's updated system.

💡Graphic Novel

A graphic novel is a form of comics that tells a continuous story and is typically longer than a comic book. In the script, the speaker repurposes art from a graphic novel print cover for the thumbnail, demonstrating a way to efficiently use existing artwork.

💡Marquee or Box Select Tool

The marquee or box select tool is a feature in graphic design software that allows users to create a selection area with straight edges. The video mentions using this tool to select parts of the cover art for the thumbnail in a vertical layout.

💡Zone Marker Layer

The zone marker layer is a part of the template file that indicates which areas of the thumbnail are safe from being cropped out when displayed. The script instructs to place artwork below this layer to ensure visibility on the Webtoon platform.

💡Danger Zone

The danger zone in the context of thumbnail creation refers to areas that may be covered or cropped out when the thumbnail is displayed. The video emphasizes the importance of avoiding placing important elements like character faces in this zone.

💡JPEG

JPEG is a common image file format used for photos and digital art, known for its ability to compress images for web use. The script details the process of exporting the thumbnail as a JPEG file, adjusting size and quality as needed for Webtoon's specifications.

💡Resolution

Resolution in digital images refers to the number of pixels used to form the image and affects the clarity and detail. The video addresses common misconceptions about resolution, explaining that pixelation occurs when zooming in beyond 100%, not necessarily due to low resolution.

Highlights

Webtoon has updated their comic thumbnailing system to include both square and vertical thumbnails.

A template file has been created to assist in the thumbnail creation process.

Two different image files are now required for the square and vertical thumbnail layouts.

The presenter, Walter, repurposes art from a graphic novel print cover for the thumbnail.

The template file is available in the video description for download.

Reuse of existing art for thumbnails is encouraged for efficiency.

Thumbnails should be created on a layer below the zone marker layer to avoid cropping issues.

The 'danger zone' in the template indicates areas that may be covered or cropped out.

Thumbnails should include important elements within the 'safe zone' to ensure visibility.

Thumbnails should be simple, featuring a single character head or two characters at most.

Thumbnails should convey the main character, genre, and artwork style at a glance.

The original art template offers a higher resolution option for potential future reuse.

Exporting thumbnails as JPEG is recommended for the final step.

For the original art template, resizing the export to 1080x1080 or 1080x1920 is necessary.

Different software options like Clip Studio, Photoshop, and Krita are mentioned for thumbnail editing.

Lowering the export quality can significantly reduce file size without noticeable quality loss.

A misunderstanding about pixelation when shrinking images for Webtoon is clarified.

DPI is only relevant when discussing print size, not for web images.

The final step involves uploading the created thumbnails to Webtoon's dashboard.

Transcripts

so webtoon updated their comic

thumbnailing system

i'm going to show you how to create

thumbnails for both the square and

vertical layout

and i created a template file that

you're going to be able to use to help

guide you along the process

hey walter here and today i'll be

explaining webtoon's new

thumbnail system the first change is

that there are now

two thumbnails a square one and a

vertical one you'll have to create

two different image files in my example

i'm going to be repurposing art from my

graphic novel print cover

it's what i had used for my original

thumbnail

as well but you can just draw a whole

new image

using the template file i created the

link to the file is in the video

description

now i'm a fan of reusing art for

thumbnails because

i drew this cover i i can use it for a

whole bunch of the different things but

if i were to just draw an

image specifically for the thumbnail

there's not too much i could reuse that

for so

okay so i'm going to just start and i'm

going to use the marquee or the box

select tool to select a large part of

the original cover

that i think would work for a vertical

layout now copy that

and paste it into the template file side

note

when you download the template you're

going to notice that there are two

copies of each

thumbnail type a standard and an

original art one

if you're drawing an original piece of

art for your thumbnail

use the original art version it's higher

resolution just in case you

ever do want to reuse that art for

something else if you're reusing old art

then just use the standard file you

don't need print resolution thumbnails

because your original art is the print

resolution copy

now when you paste your art or you draw

your art make sure you do it on a layer

below the zone marker layer

the shadow area is the danger zone

anything in the

zone may be covered or cropped out when

displayed to the reader on the webtoon

platform

the reasons it may be cropped out is

because the reader's display size or

because other information is being

displayed

like your sub or your like counts

example

you wouldn't want to draw a thumbnail

where the character's face was

down here and this area up here was just

empty blue sky

so paste your art or draw your art and

get it positioned with the important

stuff in the save zone

the non-shadowed area depending on your

image you may have to resize or maybe go

back to your original image and make a

different selection size

to get it just right you can also lower

the layer opacity of the danger zone

area

if it's too dark or just turn it off

once you've got your image laid out the

way you want

for your original drawing one thing

about thumbnails it can look kind of

weird sometimes

if you chop the head right off at the

neck so it's always good to include

a little bit of shoulders and your head

images

and remember to pay attention to what

parts

of the image are in the danger zone

couple

of quick all-around pointers for your

thumbnails keep your thumbnails simple

limit them to a single character head or

bust shot two characters is okay but

anything more than that it's going to

start getting crowded and you'll most

likely

be shrinking your art so you can fit

other stuff in there this will make it

harder to see and less likely to catch a

reader's eye

you want your thumbnail to be able to

give a quick sense of your main

character

the genre and the style of your artwork

in a single glance

once you have the image the way you want

save it as a new file so you don't

overwrite the template file

turn off the zone marker layer and then

export your image as a jpeg

if you use the original art template

you'll have one extra step you'll have

to shrink your export file to the

appropriate

size 1080 by 1080 for the square

template and 1080 by 920

for the vertical template in clip studio

go to file

export single layer and jpeg pick a name

and then specify the output size 1080

by 1080 or 1080 by 1920 depending on the

thumbnail that you're doing

if you're using photoshop you can use

file save for web and devices to change

the size there

metabang also has an export however if

you're using krita

it doesn't seem to let you export at a

different size so in krita

you'll have to go to image click scale

image to new size and change it there

before you save it

be aware this will alter your work file

so don't hit save

only use save as or export or you're

going to lose that high resolution print

quality

that you have now once you export you

may have a problem with your file being

too

large for webtoon they want some really

small files

all you have to do is re-export your

image but this time

lower the quality i know this may worry

some of you but lowering this down to

to 90 or 85 won't make a visible

difference i lower the quality

all the way down to 83 to shrink my file

from 3000

to 700 kilobytes for the webtoon

requirement and this is the full quality

versus the lower quality and i don't see

a difference

so don't worry about lowering this

quality metric

if you don't have this option with the

software that you're using for some

reason go to

compressedjpeg.com and upload your file

for similar results this gave me almost

a 600 kilobyte file and i still don't

see any difference

a quick psa about file resolution by the

way i get a lot of questions about why

art resolution looks like poo

when they shrink their image down for

webtoon usually it's because there's a

misunderstanding about what's actually

happening with your pixels

a lot of people will shrink a file and

zoom in to check to see

the quality of the resolution however

they are zooming in over a hundred

percent and whenever you zoom in over a

hundred percent it's gonna look like poo

if you make an image that's fifty 000

pixels by 50 000 pixels at 2400 dpi

zoom in at over a hundred percent it's

gonna look pixelated

it just takes you more zooming clicks to

get into over a hundred percent for a

file that large versus a file that's a

hundred pixels

wide versus the 50 000 pixels wide

if you have a 100 pixel wide image

you're already zoomed in at 100

right when you open the file so if you

zoom at all it's going to look pixelated

going over a hundred percent is trying

to access more data than the file has so

the software is making that data up with

a best

guess which is where you get the

pixelation from by the way

if you're talking about pixels 800

pixels by 1280 pixels

dpi is meaningless if you want to talk

about inches like 3

inches by 4 inches now dpi is important

and you want at least 300 dpi but i'll

do another video about resolution and

dpi some other day

once you have your files just go to

webtoon go to your dashboard edit your

comic and

upload your thumbnails and click save if

you use my template file i

only created a clip studio and photoshop

file however

pretty much every art program is going

to open a photoshop file so i figured

that is kind of like the universal file

type critta

meta bang both of those can open up

photoshop files fine

and that's it if you like this video be

sure to like link love hug and hit that

sub button for more sweet sweet goodness

i hope you're feeling good about what

you're creating

but if you're not that's normal and it's

okay and it doesn't mean

you suck catch you in the next video

peace