Today, thanks to the multitude of apps offering photo filters, you don’t need a smartphone with a high-end camera to take great pictures. When it comes to social media, filters play an even bigger role. They can transform your images and stories and make your content more interesting. On Snapchat, you can now create your own filters.
Depending on your purpose, location, and audience, you can create various custom filters to keep your Snapchat followers entertained. Some filters only work in certain places, while others are only suitable for special events. There are also filters that you can create and use for free, while others come at a cost.
Let’s take a look at how to create a Snapchat filter.
Select the type of filter you are looking for
When it comes to creating a custom Snapchat filter, the best place to start is by setting goals.
For example, you can create a free community filter. If this is the location you want to link your filter to, you can create a geofilter. It will only work in a specific location, so you can choose a location that has some meaning to you (like a park, university, or your favorite cafe, etc.). You can also create a free moments filter that represents an event. This can be anything from a public concert to shopping with friends.
Another option is to make a paid Snapchat filter. This is a better alternative if you want to celebrate a special occasion like a wedding or someone’s birthday. It is also a good choice for business or any other type of advertising.
You can create a Snapchat filter using the Snapchat mobile app or through their website. After you submit it, Snapchat will approve it in a couple of hours. Then you can use your own Snapchat filter in the app.
How to Make a Free Snapchat Filter
Snapchat offers the ability to create your own Snapchat filters for free, but they must be community filters and have some limitations. You can only create them in your web browser, and Snapchat doesn’t offer any templates. The design must be 100% original.
However, the most important part is following Snapchat’s guidelines when creating your filter. Here’s how to do it.
- Go to Snapchat and select “Filters & Lenses” from the site’s feed menu.
- Scroll down to Creative Tools and select Community Filters.
- Now, depending on your situation, choose between Geofilter and Moment Filters.
- If it’s a moments filter, all you have to do is upload your design and then submit it to Snapchat.
- Using the Geofilter, you will also need to specify the area on the map where you want to apply this filter.
To create an original design for your filter, Snapchat recommends using programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. If you don’t know much about this, Canva is a good alternative for creating your own images.
Make sure you provide all the necessary information with your filter, such as dates or event description. Then, if you follow the official guidelines, your custom filter should be approved and ready to use within a few hours.
How to Make a Premium Snapchat Filter on Your Computer
If you don’t mind paying a little and want to save time and effort, you can make a paid Snapchat filter. Here’s how to do it on a computer.
- On Snapchat, go to the Filters & Lenses section.
- Scroll down to Creative Tools and select Filters.
- Here, instead of creating your own design from scratch, you can choose from a variety of templates. You also get additional customization options like changing fonts, colors, and adding images.
You can also use Bitmoji to add a little cartoon version of yourself and your friends to the filter.
- When finished, go to the Dates section and select a start and end date to filter. You can make it one-time or recurring to run it on specific days or times of day.
- In the Location section, draw a fence to select an area for your geofilter. All Snapchat users inside this fence will be able to use your filter.
- Go to Checkout to pay and submit your filter.
The Snapchat filter price varies. It depends on two factors: the size of the area you want to run it in, and how long you want the filter to be available to users.
How to Make Snapchat Filter in App
You can also send your own Snapchat filter to your iPhone. The process is almost the same, with the only difference that you can find an iOS-only feature in the app.
To find it, open Snapchat on your iPhone and go to your profile. Then go to Settings to find Filter and Lenses. Once you select Filter, Snapchat will go to a similar setup screen to create one.
Follow the same algorithm, create your own design, set dates and area, then pay and submit the Snapchat filter for approval.
How to use your Snapchat custom filter
Once you receive an email from Snapchat confirming that your filter is active, you can start adding it to your snaps.
You will find it among your filters when you open the app by swiping left or right. Make sure the Snapchat privacy app is allowed to access your location in your privacy settings. Then you can use your own and other people’s geofilters for your region.
Customize Snapchat even more
After going through the experience of creating and using your own Snapchat filters, you’ll probably want to do even more to personalize your snaps and make them more interesting. Luckily, Snapchat offers a variety of ways to do this, from creating your own lenses to making Deepfake videos of you and your friends.
Have you tried a Snapchat filter? Has this been a success with other users? Share your Snapchat experience with us in the comments below.
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