Use backgrounds to build content. Upload colors, textures, images, and videos from your device to use behind media.
- What are backgrounds
- File types supported in backgrounds
- How to upload backgrounds to your account
- Editing backgrounds
- Repositioning backgrounds
- Deleting backgrounds
- How to use backgrounds in app
- Branding Instagram stories with a background
- Using backgrounds in web creation studio
- Video walkthrough of backgrounds
What are Backgrounds
Backgrounds are used behind pieces of media when creating content in Slate. Backgrounds can be pre-uploaded media like brand colors, custom designs, textures, or even videos. In addition to pre-loaded content in Slate, you can use any media in your camera roll to layer in the backgrounds tool and apply effects like a blur or make your content black and white. Backgrounds can be used to brand Instagram stories, frame content, and create a more flexible creation experience.
File Types Supported
Backgrounds can be an image or video file. A background should be a .jpg, .png, .mov, or .mp4 file when pre-loaded into Slate. Video files should be under 10 mb, and no wider than 1920 px.
Upload Backgrounds
- Login to your Slate web dashboard
- Drag and drop your background file(s) into your backgrounds drawer or select the "+" and choose your file(s) to upload
- Add your background to any collection if desired
- Publish your changes by selecting 'Publish changes' located at the bottom left of your screen
NOTE: Background uploaded in a 9x16 format will automatically resize to the other standard sizes offered in Slate (1x1, 4x5, and 16x9). Feel free to delete any that don't fit your brand guide.
Editing Backgrounds
1. Login to the Slate web dashboard and select the background you would like to edit by hovering over the item in the drawer and clicking the three small dots that appear in the top right of the preview
2. Click 'Edit' from the dropdown menu
3. Add any search terms and assign to any collections
3. Delete any ratio variations that don't make sense for your brand by clicking the trash button icon next to the version to be deleted
4. Save and publish your changes by clicking 'Publish changes' at the bottom right of your screen
Repositioning Backgrounds
When backgrounds get auto-resized, you can edit what part of the background it uses. Here's how:
2. Click 'Edit' from the dropdown menu
3. Select the button with four arrows on the ratio you would like to reposition
4. Use scroll (dependent on device) to zoom in and out, and drag with your mouse to reposition
5. Once edits are complete, click 'Done'
6. Save and publish your changes by clicking 'Publish changes' at the bottom right of your screen
- Login to the Slate web dashboard
- Select the backgrounds you would like to delete by hovering over the background and checking the circle that appears in the top left corner of the background
- Click on the 'Trash' icon that is now visible in your top right of your drawer
- Click 'Yes, delete' from the pop-up menu
- Publish your changes by clicking 'Publish changes' at the bottom right of your screen
Using Backgrounds on Mobile
- Open the Slate mobile app
- On the bottom toolbar, scroll to the 'BG' button to open the backgrounds tool
- Choose a background you would like to use. This can be a pre-loaded color or design from the backgrounds drawer, or a piece of media from your camera roll by tapping the 'Media' button located in the backgrounds drawer.
- If using media on iOS, add an effects you wish to apply by tapping the 'Blur' and/or 'B/W' button. You can tap the blur option twice to increase the blur effect.
- If needed, scroll on the bottom toolbar to the 'Ratio' button, and tap to re-size to your desired ratio
- Tap the 'Media' button in the bottom toolbar to load in an image or video on top of your background. Double tap this media and use two fingers to pinch and move it into place
- Add any other text, graphics, or media you wish to use
- Click 'Share' and export your content
NOTE: Blur and black and white effect are currently only supported on iOS, and not supported on web or Android.
Backgrounds for IG Reposts
Keep your brand footprint on content that may not originate from your team. See how to use Slate backgrounds to brand shared content on your Instagram stories in seconds. Learn how to here.
Using Backgrounds on Web
- Open your Slate dashboard and click 'Create Content' in the top right corner
- Select 'New Project'
- Choose the ratio you would like to work in at the top of the screen
- Tap 'BG' on the left hand toolbar to open the backgrounds drawer
- Add in the color or pre-uploaded background you would like to use
- Select 'Media' and add in the photo or video you wish to use. Use the green bar around the media to re-size it into place
- Add any other text, graphics, or media you wish to use
- Once ready to export, select 'Export' at the top right of the screen. Name your file and select what file type you’d like your content to be and click ‘Download’
NOTE: Using media as a background isn't currently available on web. In the backgrounds tool, you will only be able to use colors and pre-uploaded backgrounds.
Video Walkthrough
Available on:
FAQs:
Q: Can I use blur or black and white on a background already in my backgrounds drawer?
A: No, this can only be applied to media uploaded from your camera roll through the backgrounds drawer.
Q: Are the blur and black and white effects available on Android?
A: No, currently this feature is only available on iOS.
Q: Can I use more than one background at a time?
A: You can only use one background at a time.
Q: Can I use a background on top of uploaded media?
A: No, backgrounds can only be used behind media. To layer media, try using media as a sticker.