Try these simple design tips to create stylish, oh-so-clickable end screens that turn casual viewers into loyal subscribers.
In YouTube’s early days, a video’s final 15-30 seconds usually consisted of the host scrambling to tell viewers where to find more content, how to subscribe, and what they might want to watch next. Eventually,, clickable annotations—remember those?—made that process a little easier.
Now, for the past few years, a snazzy end screen has become the perfect segue to keep your viewers within your creative orbit. It’s not just about holding their attention—it’s about elevating their journey through your content.
What Is an End Screen?
An end screen (or end card) is a clickable overlay that appears in the last 5-20 seconds of a YouTube video. It’s a versatile feature that can accommodate various types of content, like playlists, videos, and clickable links. With end screens, you’re able to highlight up to four different calls to action for viewers.
Here are some common CTA options that are always good to include:
- Promoting other videos or playlists from your channel.
- Encouraging viewers to subscribe via subscription button or link.
- Offering merchandise, a link to your website, or showcase a crowdfunding initiative.
Essentially, end screens prompt viewers to continue their journey with your content, increasing the likelihood of further views and subscriptions. With this, you can see just how crucial they can be, especially when your content is episodic and should be followed sequentially.
Here’s a blank example we use for our Shutterstock Presents channel.
Now, yes. YouTube offers handy, ready-to-go templates that allow you to spotlight your other videos and subscription buttons on your screen. But, why not craft a custom end-screen with a unique illustration or animation instead? After all, a tailor-made end screen screams professionalism and keeps your branding on point.
With that in mind, let’s make sure your videos have the polished, engaging, conversion-boosting closure they deserve.To get you across the end-screen finish line, we’ll guide you through how to upload your custom designs and show you a few sleek, surefire layouts that make end-screen elements shine.
What Are the Specifications for an End Screen?
Before we start designing our end screen template, let’s look at the specifications required. As end screen templates are baked into your video, there’s no size specification, so to speak. However, YouTube does prefer maintaining a 16:9 aspect ratio as you can include more elements in the YouTube editor.
If we stick with creating a 1920×1080 template in Photoshop or After Effects, the element dimensions become universal. Therefore, note the following:
- The dimensions of the subscription sphere are 298×298 pixels.
- The video and playlist rectangle can be either 613×343 pixels or 861×482 pixels, depending on the aspect ratio of your video.
- Finally, the link square should be 298×298 pixels.
As a quick tip, you could take a screenshot of a video that already has its own end screen active and, from there, you can copy the layout.
Keep in mind that to add an end screen, your video should be a minimum of 25 seconds in duration. After you’ve implemented end screens, they will be visible to viewers in the video’s final 5-20 seconds. So, you want your end screen graphic template to appear for the last 15 seconds of the video.
How Should I Design the Layout of My End Screen?
Designing your end screen gives you plenty of flexibility and freedom in the way the layout looks. If you are willing to spend significant time editing your video and creating well-designed cards or animations, it only makes sense to give the final 20 seconds of your video the same treatment.
A custom end screen will look better and increase your chance of converting viewers into repeat viewers, subscribers, or visitors to your website.
Up to four elements can be featured on the end screen, but limiting the focus to just one or two elements is advisable for effective viewer guidance. Overloading the screen with multiple elements can overwhelm the viewer, potentially causing confusion and leading them to choose an unrelated video from the sidebar or exit YouTube altogether.
The clickable video content and links will be added to the end screen in YouTube Editor. So, at the initial design stage, you only need to create an eye-catching and effective static layout.
Design Option A: One to Two Elements
Embrace simplicity for clarity and direct viewer attention. Use one element for a strong CTA, like a subscription link or next video promotion.
For a series, promote the next installment prominently. Incorporate visual cues to guide viewers.
Design Option B: Three Elements
Balance choice and design with three elements. Combine two similar elements (like video choices) with a CTA. Use a background image or graphic cues to harmonize the layout and draw attention to the CTA.
Design Option C: Four Elements
Carefully balance a four-element layout to avoid overwhelming viewers. Mix static and dynamic content thoughtfully, using text, subscription buttons, and up to two videos. Arrange elements to create visual balance and direct focus.
Now, whether you want to make your end screen static or animated, we have several tutorials that can guide you along either path. It pays to keep the end screen consistent if you have consistent branding for the channel.
For example, this is the intro title for the PremiumBeat tutorial channel.
And this is the end screen.
While it may not seem like much, consistent branding will help cement recognition for your channel.
Free End Screen Download
If you’re not the best illustrator or motion-graphics artist, don’t fret. I’ve designed 10 free gravity-based end screens that you can download for your video. For free!
The set includes various gravitational cards and end-screen components featuring sections for subscriptions and playlists. Also available is a plain matte variant, allowing color customization to align with your channel’s aesthetic.
How to Add an End Screen
After you’ve added your PNG or animated end screen to your video edit, render, and upload, you will need to head into the YouTube backend to add the elements to your video.
Just follow these easy steps: Log in to YouTube Studio, and navigate to Content through the left menu. Select the video you wish to modify by clicking its title or thumbnail, then access the Editor from the left menu.
Choose End Screens, and pick the element you’d like to include:
- Apply template: Utilize templates with customizable element groupings for your end screen.
- Video: Highlight your latest upload, the best option for the viewer, or any specific video.
- Playlist: Showcase a public YouTube playlist.
- Subscribe: Promote channel subscriptions.
- Channel: Endorse another channel, adding a personalized message.
- Link: Link to an external website, available if part of the YouTube Partner Program. Ensure compliance with all YouTube policies.
- Merchandise: Display a single merchandise item.
Don’t forget to press SAVE once all your adjustments are made.
Don’t Sleep on End Screens
End screens may come, you know, at the end of your video, but they absolutely should not be an afterthought. While channel art and video editing obviously take up much of your time and creativity, neglecting the design of your end screens means missing out on a potent marketing tool.
Thoughtfully crafted end screens can significantly increase viewer engagement, channel visits, and subscriptions.
Take Your End Screen Game to the Next Level with Shutterstock Flex
Need eye-catching photography to step up that end screen? We’ve got you covered. With Shutterstock Flex, you’ll have all-in-one access to our massive library, plus the FLEXibility you need to select the perfect mix of assets every time.
Don’t miss these top tips and tutorials for YouTube and video production:
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