Social Media MarketingMarketing

How To Make a Snapchat Filter

Gary Froniewski profile picture
Capterra profile picture
By Gary Froniewski

and Capterra
Published
6 min read
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Create Snapchat filters to drive traffic to upcoming events hosted by your business.

Looking for a marketing technique that will allow you to reach your target audience quickly? Try creating a Snapchat filter to promote company events!

Snapchat filters are predesigned camera filters that feature text, images, and animations, making them a suitable strategy for promoting brand awareness online through event marketing.

In this step-by-step guide, we explain:

  • What are the different types of Snapchat filters?

  • How to make a Snapchat filter

  • How to make a community Snapchat filter

What are the different types of Snapchat filters?

You can create custom filters on a desktop. However, Snapchat no longer supports filter creation on mobile devices. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of filters and how they function.

Custom filters

A custom filter is a paid Snapchat geofilter that allows you to promote your brand by including branded content and logos in your design. Pricing depends on the size of the geofence—a designated space set by the filter designer—for your filter.

Community filters

Community filters are free to create for community usage only and come in two types. You may not include branded content in a community filter.

  • Geofilters: These operate within a geofence and designate places in a community (such as parks and public buildings). You can use these filters to bring awareness to events open to the public or meaningful places in your local community.

  • Moment filters: These filters are tied to a specific movement caught on camera. Once movement is detected, the filter appears on the filter carousel for public use. For instance, if you’re playing with your dog on camera, a carousel of moment filters for you and your pet will appear.

How to make a custom Snapchat filter

1. Go to ​​Snapchat.com. Click “Filters & Lenses” from the menu at the top of the page.

select-the-filters-and-lenses-tab

Select the “Filters & Lenses” option from the top menu (Source: All screenshots are from the author’s personal account)

2. Click the yellow “GET STARTED” button located in the middle of the screen.

click-the-yellow-get-started-button

Click the yellow "GET STARTED" button

3. Click the “Filters” option to navigate to Snapchat’s filter creator.

select-the-filters-option

Select the "Filters" option

4. Click the “Upload” button to upload a predesigned filter, then click the “Next” button to continue. If you don’t have a predesigned filter, you can design a custom geofilter using the filter creator (explained in the next step).

select-the-upload-button-to-upload-a-predesigned

Select the "Upload" button to upload a predesigned filter

5. From the “Templates” section on the left side of the screen, choose a blank or themed template for your custom Snapchat filter. The light gray rectangle in the center of the screen is your canvas. The dark gray area may not show on devices with smaller screens.

choose-a-blank-or-themed-template-to-create-your-c

Choose a blank or themed template to create your custom Snapchat filter

6. Design your Snapchat filter using the “COLOR,” “TEXT,” and “ELEMENTS” tabs on the right panel of the page. Click “Next” to continue.

the-color-text-and-elements-tools-help-cre

The "COLOR," "TEXT," and "ELEMENTS" tools help create a design of your choice for your Snapchat filter

7. On the next page, use the controls next to the calendar to set the dates on which you want your filter to be available. If your filter is for a recurring event, select “REPEATING EVENT” and then set the dates. Click the “Next” button to continue.

set-the-dates-on-which-you-would-like-your-filter

Set the dates on which you want your filter to be available, then click “Next”

8. On the next page, you’ll have to create a geofence for your custom filter. You can either type a specific location in the address search bar or click the “Draw Fence” button on the right side of the search bar.

If you decide to type a specific location in the bar, Snapchat will draw an adjustable geofence around that location. To adjust the geofence, simply click and drag the white circles on its edges inward or outward.

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Click and drag the white circles on the perimeter of the geofence to adjust the geofence

To draw a geofence, select the “Draw Fence” option. Use the tool to draw a geofence around the area where you want your Snapchat filter to be available. The larger the fenced area, the more your filter will cost. Make sure not to draw your filter too large, or Snapchat will make you redraw it smaller. A Snapchat geofence must be between 20,000 square feet to 50 million square feet.

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Click the “Draw Fence” button to create a custom geofence for your filter

9. Once you draw the geofence, the price of your filter will appear in a white box on the left corner of the screen. Click “Checkout” to pay.

click-checkout-to-pay

Click “Checkout” to pay

10. Fill out the payment form and click “Submit” to pay for and finalize your filter. Before finalizing your payment, make sure to read the privacy policy and accept it by checking the white box above the “Submit” button.

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Fill out the payment form, read and accept the privacy policy, and click “Submit”



How to make a community Snapchat filter

To create a community filter, you’ll first have to create a filter template on a third-party site. Make sure the filter's dimensions are 1080 x 2340 pixels so it’ll display correctly on mobile devices.

Once you’ve created your filter, follow these simple directions to upload and make a Snapchat community filter:

1. Navigate to Snapchat.com/create and scroll down to the “Creative Tools” section.

2. Select the “Community Filters” option.

select-community-filters-from-the-creative-tool

Select "Community Filters" from the "Creative Tools" section of the "Filters & Lenses" tab

2. Choose either a geofilter filter or moment filter, then click the “Continue” button.

select-either-a-geofilter-filter-or-a-moment-filte

Select either a geofilter filter or a moment filter as your community filter

How to create a community geofilter

1. Click the “Upload” button to upload your filter, then click “Continue.”

to-upload-your-filter-click-the-yellow-upload-b

To upload your filter, click the yellow “Upload” button

2. Draw a border around the area where you want your filter to be available, then click the “Continue” button. Skip this step if you’re creating a moment filter.

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Draw a border around the area where you want your geofilter to be available

3. Enter your email address, name, and a description of your filter in the form provided. Click the “Submit” button to finalize your Snapchat community geofilter.

enter-your-details-in-the-form-and-then-press-the

 Enter your details in the form and then press the "Submit" button

How to create a community moment filter

1. Click the “Upload” button to upload your filter, then click the “Select a moment” down caret (located below the “Upload” button). From the drop-down list, select a moment category for your filter. Next, click “Continue.”

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Pick a category for your moment filter by selecting the down caret and choosing from the drop-down menu

2. Enter your email address, name, and a description of your filter in the form provided. Click the “Submit” button to finalize your Snapchat community moment filter.

fill-out-the-required-information-and-then-click

Fill out the required information and then click "Submit" to finalize your filter

Tips for creating stunning filters

Creating a filter that appeals to Snapchatters can seem overwhelming at first, but it's actually quite simple. Here are some tips to create stunning filters on Snapchat:

  • Steer clear of hashtags, as they often clutter the photo space and      are unappealing to the eye.

  • Don’t cover up too much of your screen with artwork. Snapchatters      will use your filter to take a photo of something, so you don’t want      your artwork to cover up the focal point of their photos.

  • Make sure your design is original. There are thousands of filters      available for use, so ensure your design stands out from the pack!

Reach your target audience with Snapchat filters


Unfortunately, community filters don’t allow business promotions, and depending on your geofence’s square footage, paid Snapchat filters can get pricey. However, keep in mind that 82% of users in the 18-24 age group use this platform daily. If this is your target audience age bracket, creating a paid filter is worth the cost!

To learn more about how your business can utilize social media apps, such as Snapchat, to promote brand awareness, check out this article on social media segmentation to boost marketing strategies.


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About the Authors

Gary Froniewski profile picture

Gary Froniewski is a Content Writer at Capterra, covering all things digital marketing, with a focus on emerging trends in experiential marketing. A recipient of multiple AMD Spotlight Awards for flagship product launch campaigns, he has a wealth of experience creating compelling copy to support Fortune 500 companies and small businesses alike. In his spare time he loves to enjoy food experiences, play tennis and disc golf, and explore nature in his home base of Austin, TX.

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Capterra is the #1 destination for organizations to find the right software and services, so they can save time, increase productivity and accelerate growth.

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