Snapchat filters allow users to customize and enhance their snaps in fun and creative ways. Whether you want to create a silly face filter or geofilter for a specific location, making your own custom Snapchat filters is easy and free. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make Snapchat filters for personal or business use.
Table of Contents
Intro to Snapchat Filters
Snapchat has two main types of custom filters you can create:
- Lenses – These are animated, augmented reality filters that interact with and transform faces or environments. Lenses might add virtual objects, change facial features or hair, apply makeup, or more.
- Geofilters – Geofilters are location-based graphic overlays users can add to their snaps. These are tied to specific geographic areas.
Both options allow you to add a personalized touch to Snapchat content. Brands can use custom Snapchat filters as creative marketing assets to promote products, events, campaigns and more.
Creating Custom Snapchat Lenses
To build your own Snapchat lens, you’ll need to use Snap’s free Lens Studio desktop app. Here are the basic steps:
Download Lens Studio
Go to the Lens Studio website and click Download to install the app on your Windows or Mac computer.
Choose a Template
Lens Studio has templates to start several common lens types like face filters and world lenses. Browse templates to select one that matches what you want to build.
Customize the Lens
Use Lens Studio’s options to add your own unique visuals, effects and interactions to customize your lens.
Test and Submit
Preview your lens, troubleshoot issues, then submit it to Snapchat for review. Approved lenses get added to Snapchat!
It takes some technical knowledge to navigate Lens Studio, but Snapchat has tutorials on their support site. There’s a lot you can do with creative coding skills and imagination.
Making Geofilters
Snapchat’s web-based geofilter creator makes location-based filters simple to design. Follow these steps:
Visit Snapchat’s Create Tool
Go to Snapchat’s Create page and click on Filters then Create Now.
Pick a Template
Browse and select a template for the occasion, or start from a blank canvas.
Customize with Graphics and Text
Upload your own graphics or add text with messages, logos and more. Customize the template to match your brand or event.
Define Location and Dates
Set when and where you want your geofilter to appear using Snapchat’s interactive map.
Submit and Pay
Submit your geofilter and complete the purchase for a personalized, location-based option friends can access.
Geofilters are easy to create right in your browser for one-time events or ongoing brand promotion opportunities.
Snapchat Filter Ideas and Tips
When designing custom Snapchat filters, keep these tips in mind:
- Match the platform – Keep designs colorful, playful and fun to fit Snapchat’s youthful vibe.
- Try templates first – Snapchat’s templates make great starting points if you’re not a graphic designer.
- Mind the guidelines – Review Snapchat’s creation guidelines first so your filter gets approved.
- Offer utility – Geofilters for locations like stores and restaurants can provide utility and promotion.
- Time it right – Launch geofilters to coincide with big events when lots of snaps will be taken.
- Use sparingly – Don’t overcrowd selfies or environments with excessive text and graphics.
- Encourage sharing – Incentivize social sharing with a branded hashtag or contest submission rule.
Promoting Your Lens or Filter
Once your masterpiece is approved and available in Snapchat, get the word out to drive usage:
- Post announcements and teasers across your other social media channels.
- Create Snap ads to showcase and promote new lenses or geofilters.
- Partner with influencers in a sponsored campaign to feature your creation.
- Add a Snapcode to your website or collateral to make accessing your lens or filter easy.
Promote away after you spend time designing something fantastic!
Case Study: McDonald’s Geofilter Campaign
McDonald’s ran a highly successful geofilter campaign that delivered great engagement and brand awareness. Here are some stats:
- 13,000 – Custom geofilters for locations across the United States
- 90 million – Snapchatters that used McDonald’s geofilters
- 277 million – Total snap views that included McDonald’s geofilters
McDonald’s built geofilters tied to all locations and promoted them across other social platforms. Their national campaign showed the potential of custom Snapchat filters for far-reaching brand engagement.
Start Creating!
Part interactive art, part marketing asset — custom Snapchat filters represent an innovative promotion opportunity.
Follow the steps outlined to start building lenses or geofilters today. Get those creative ideas flowing and make something awesome! Snapchatters everywhere will appreciate your unique contributions.
