Thumbnail Generator
The Thumbnail Generator is a focused AI tool for quickly creating YouTube thumbnails. While the Image Editor offers a full conversational workflow for any type of image, the Thumbnail Generator is optimized specifically for thumbnails — it's faster, simpler, and designed for rapid iteration when you need a great thumbnail quickly.
How It Works
The Thumbnail Generator follows a streamlined generate-and-pick workflow:
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Write a prompt — Describe the thumbnail you want in natural language. Include details about the subject, composition, colors, mood, text (if any), and style.
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Select your options — Choose the AI model tier, aspect ratio, and how many variations to generate.
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Generate — The AI creates your requested number of thumbnail variations.
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Pick and download — Review the options, pick the best one, and download it or save it to your Flokan Storage.
Generation Options
AI Model Tiers
| Tier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Fast generation with good quality | Rapid brainstorming, generating many options quickly |
| Pro | Higher detail and accuracy | When you need production-ready quality |
| Creative | More artistic and visually varied | When you want unique, eye-catching styles |
| Premium-Pro | Highest available quality using premium Airforce models | Final thumbnails where maximum quality matters |
Aspect Ratios
Choose the right format for your use case:
- 16:9 — The standard YouTube thumbnail ratio. This is the recommended choice for all YouTube videos. YouTube displays thumbnails at 1280×720 pixels, and 16:9 matches this exactly.
- 4:3 — An alternative ratio useful for some social media formats or when you want a slightly taller frame.
- 1:1 — Square format, ideal for Instagram posts, YouTube Community posts, or podcast cover art.
Image Count
Generate 1 to 4 images per prompt. Generating multiple variations gives you options to compare. This is often more effective than trying to perfect a single prompt — generate 4 options, pick the best one, then refine from there.
Tips for Great Thumbnail Prompts
Thumbnails need to be visually striking at small sizes. Keep these principles in mind when writing prompts:
- High contrast — Thumbnails appear small in search results and feeds. Describe high-contrast elements that pop even at tiny sizes.
- Simple composition — Avoid cluttered scenes. Focus on one or two main subjects.
- Emotional faces — If your thumbnail includes a person, describe their expression. Surprised, excited, concerned, or focused expressions drive higher click-through rates.
- Bold colors — Request vibrant, saturated colors that stand out against YouTube's white/dark backgrounds.
- Text readability — If you want text in your thumbnail, keep it short (2-4 words) and specify large, bold typography.
Saving and Using Thumbnails
After generating thumbnails:
- Download — Save directly to your computer for upload to YouTube
- Save to Storage — Add to your Flokan Storage system where your team can access them
- Attach to Card — Link the thumbnail to a specific card on your board, which automatically adds it to the Thumbnail Pipeline
This feature must be enabled for your workspace and requires the appropriate role permissions. If you don't see it in the sidebar, check with your workspace administrator.
Credits
Each thumbnail generation consumes AI credits based on the model tier selected. Generating 4 variations costs 4× the single-image credit cost. Standard models are the most economical choice for brainstorming, while Premium-Pro should be reserved for final versions.