How to Make Custom Images Without Hiring a Designer

The posts on this blog usually run about 2,000 words. Be honest—would you read it all if it were just a massive wall of text? Some of you would (and we appreciate that), but we’d never fault anyone for skimming or bouncing. It’s tough to stay engaged without visual breaks and cues that help you scan.

That’s exactly why articles that incorporate compelling visuals consistently earn more attention—one oft-cited analysis reports 94% more total views than those without.

And that’s just the average. Used strategically, visuals can lift click-throughs, shares, and on-page engagement even more.

It’s a win-win: you get more engagement and pageviews, and your readers get content that’s more enjoyable and easier to digest.

Even though social media and blog content aren’t identical, social platforms prove the point—great visuals matter and stop the scroll.

Words are powerful, but no matter how sharp your writing is, it can only go so far in holding attention and communicating quickly.

Visuals, on the other hand, convey meaning at a glance. They help readers grasp complex ideas faster and remember them longer.

Bottom line: Every blog post should include visuals. They create a better experience, clarify your ideas, and increase time on page—all signals that support stronger performance in Google search results.

There’s just one problem: images can be expensive. While large brands can hire professional designers, most small businesses and creators don’t have that kind of budget.

So if you want high-quality custom images and can’t afford a designer, you’ll need to create them yourself.

That intimidates a lot of bloggers—but it doesn’t have to. This guide walks you through how to make professional-looking images on your own, without pricey software or years of design experience.

5 Steps to Create Custom Images for Blog Posts

Here’s how to make polished visuals without hiring a designer or spending hours learning pro tools:

1. Use free or low-cost image sources
2. Follow the “Secret Sauce” to design images like a pro
3. Learn the elements of good design
4. Create your first image using a template
5. Optimize pictures for file size and search engine traffic

Step 1 – Use Free or Low-Cost Image Sources

To create great custom images, you’ll often need base assets—backgrounds, icons, or simple visuals—to combine into one cohesive graphic.

Not sure what that means? Let’s look at an example.

Here’s an image from our Link Building For SEO Starter Guide:

This image is actually a combination of multiple visual elements:

1. The background photo
2. The person looking at the whiteboard
3. The graphics and text on the whiteboard (like the SEO chart)

When you design custom images, you’ll often layer several simple pieces into a final asset that looks premium.

But you can’t just grab any image off Google. Many images are copyrighted, and using them without permission can lead to legal trouble—even if you didn’t realize you were infringing.

To stay safe (and legal), use sources that explicitly allow reuse and keep a record of the license. When people are recognizable, ensure you have a model release; for private property, a property release may be required. Avoid trademarked logos unless your license clearly allows it.

Public Domain Images (Free)

Public domain images are either old enough to be copyright-free or were released by their creators into the public domain. They’re free to use without attribution, including commercially.

The tradeoff: selection can be limited and popular photos get reused, so your image may not feel unique.

Still, there are a few excellent public domain image search engines you can start with:

1. Pixabay: Completely free. Skip the sponsored row at the top of results. Quality varies, but you’ll find solid options for most topics.

2. Morguefile: Another solid free site. No attribution needed. It even shows how many times each image has been downloaded so you can avoid overused options.

3. Public Domain Pictures: Basic site, but a great source of high-res public-domain photography.

You can also try tools like Free Photo Finder to search multiple free image sites at once.

Creative Commons Images (Free and Paid)

Creative Commons (CC) licenses let creators share work with specific rules. Many high-quality images use CC licenses—but you must follow the terms to stay compliant.

These images often rival paid stock photography in quality, but knowing what each license allows is critical.

Here’s a quick breakdown of common Creative Commons licenses:

1. CC0: Public domain. No attribution required. Use however you want.
2. CC BY: Free to use and modify with attribution.
3. CC BY-SA: Like CC BY, but edits must be shared under the same license.
4. CC BY-ND: Use and share as-is with attribution; no modifications.
5. CC BY-NC: “Non-commercial” only. Not for business sites or monetized blogs.
6. CC BY-NC-SA / CC BY-NC-ND: Also non-commercial. Avoid these if you’re monetizing.

For most blog images, stick to licenses that allow commercial use:

• CC BY
• CC BY-SA
• CC BY-ND

How do you properly credit a Creative Commons image? Use the “TASL” format: Title, Author, Source, and License.

Here’s an example from Creative Commons’ attribution guide:

“Creative Commons 10th Birthday Celebration San Francisco” by tvol is licensed under CC BY 2.0

You can place the attribution right under the image or at the bottom of the post—just be consistent and clear.

To find Creative Commons images, use these trusted sources:

a) Flickr: Still one of the best sources for CC images. Use the license filter to show only those suitable for commercial use and modifications.

To speed up attribution, use ImageCodr. Paste the Flickr URL and it generates HTML attribution for you.

b) Openverse (CC Search): Search across multiple CC platforms at once. Filter by license type, commercial use, and modification rights.

Openverse includes results from Wikimedia Commons too, saving you from navigating its clunky interface directly.

c) Google Images (Advanced Search): Use Tools ? Usage rights ? Creative Commons licenses. Always verify the license on the image’s host site—mislabels happen.

Simple Icons (Free and Paid)

Icons are perfect for visual storytelling—adding context, simplifying ideas, and improving scannability. When you need icons, there’s a standout choice:

The Noun Project: Search your keyword and choose from thousands of icons in SVG or PNG.

You can use icons for free with attribution, or pay per icon or via subscription to remove attribution requirements.

Stock Images (Free and Paid)

Stock images are professional, polished, and widely used by marketers and brands. These can make up the bulk of your visuals if you want high quality without heavy production time.

Free stock images are a great starting point. Just know that the best free shots get used frequently—don’t expect exclusivity.

Here are reliable free stock platforms as of 2025:

• StockSnap.io: Huge collection. No attribution needed.
• Unsplash: One of the most popular sites. Gorgeous images and generous licenses.
• Gratisography: Quirky, unique images added regularly. Always free.
• Death to Stock: Stylish photos with an editorial edge. Paid plans available.

If you have a budget, royalty-free stock gives you broad rights without ongoing licensing headaches.

Avoid “rights-managed” images. They’re limited, time-bound, and often require repurchasing.

Choose royalty-free instead. Pay once, use forever, no attribution needed. Pricing varies by site and plan.

Top royalty-free marketplaces include:

• Bigstock
• iStock
• Depositphotos

Just enter a keyword, browse, and purchase the images you like. Easy.

Hire a “Cheap” Designer on Freelance Sites

If DIY image creation still feels overwhelming—or if you simply don’t have the time—you can hire an affordable designer online.

Freelance platforms connect you with talented designers worldwide, many of whom offer custom graphics for a fraction of agency rates.

Here are reputable freelance marketplaces to explore:

• Upwork
• Freelancer
• Guru

To get quality results, provide clear instructions, example references, and brand guidelines (fonts, colors, logo usage, and dos/don’ts).

But if you’re still up for doing it yourself, the next steps will show you how to design like a pro.

Step 2 – Follow the “Secret Sauce” to Design Images Like a Pro

Years ago, creating quality visuals meant learning Photoshop or Illustrator—both expensive and intimidating. Fortunately, that’s no longer necessary.

Now, tools like Canva make it simple to create professional images in minutes, no advanced design skills required.

Canva offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, ready-made templates, and a library of icons, shapes, and fonts that let you build graphics fast.

Here’s how to use Canva to create standout blog images:

i) Choose Your Canvas Size. After signing up for a free account, start a new design by selecting a preset size or entering custom dimensions (e.g., 700px wide for many blogs). If you post wide hero images, consider 1200–1600px width and export responsibly to keep file size small.

Pro tip: Once you set a canvas size, you can’t change it mid-project. Start large; you can crop or resize down later without losing crispness.

ii) Use the Sidebar to Add Visual Elements. The Canva sidebar gives you photos, icons, shapes, text, and templates. Drag and drop elements onto your canvas.

Some elements are premium (marked with a price), but plenty of free options exist. You can also upload your own assets for brand consistency.

Each tab in the sidebar serves a different purpose:

• Layouts: Drag-and-drop design templates
• Text: Add headers, body text, or styled type
• Bkground: Solid, gradient, or pattern backgrounds
• Uploads: Bring in your own images or logos

Once an element is on your canvas, you can resize, align, recolor, and rotate it with simple tools. Canva makes balancing layouts feel effortless.

iii) Try a More Advanced Tool If You Need To. Canva is great for most needs, but if you want pixel-level control or already have design chops, consider tools like:

• GIMP: Free, powerful Photoshop alternative
• Pixlr: Browser-based editor with advanced features
• Photoshop: Industry standard
• Illustrator: Best for vector graphics and logos

We’ll stick with Canva for this walkthrough, but the core principles apply no matter which tool you choose.

Step 3 – Learn the Elements of Good Design

You don’t need to be a professional designer to make beautiful, functional images. Understanding a few fundamentals will dramatically improve your results.

i) Choose the Right Font. Fonts fall into two broad categories: serif and sans-serif. Serif fonts (e.g., Times New Roman) are common in print. Sans-serif fonts (e.g., Arial, Helvetica) tend to be easier to read on screens.

For most blog images, stick to sans-serif fonts and use no more than two typefaces per graphic.

Popular web-friendly choices include:

• Myriad Pro
• League Gothic
• Cabin
• Bebas Neue
• Helvetica
• Futura
• PT Serif (sparingly, for contrast)

Use a tool like Wordmark.it to preview a phrase across fonts installed on your system.

ii) Choose a Color Scheme. The best images use consistent, simple color palettes. Aim for 2–3 complementary colors per image.

Four classic color schemes to try:

1. Monologous: One base color in multiple shades
2. Analogous: Colors next to each other on the wheel
3. Complementary: Opposites that create punchy contrast
4. Triadic: Three evenly spaced colors on the wheel

Try color tools like Paletton or Material Design to build palettes that look intentional.

iii) Match Style With Message. Your image style—colors, fonts, icons, and layout—should reflect your brand and the post’s tone.

Consistent styling builds recognition. Ideally, readers can spot your work by its look and feel before they even see your name.

Ask: does the visual fit the message? Does it match the tone? Does it feel like it belongs on your site?

Here’s an example from Quick Sprout. This image doesn’t teach anything directly, but it evokes success and motivation, matching the post’s theme:

In contrast, the next image delivers quick educational value at a glance—supporting a post about SEO traffic growth:

Even simple quote graphics can fail if the font or colors clash with the tone. For example:

Same message, different execution—one looks credible, the other looks off-brand. Always match visual design with emotional tone.

Step 4 – Create Your First Image Using a Template

Let’s get hands-on. Here are three simple designs you can create in Canva right away. They’re reusable, fast to make, and easy to customize to your brand.

For this walkthrough, we used a high-quality background image from StockSnap.io. Follow along with any image you like.

Design #1: Start With a Canva Template

Step 1: Pick a pre-made Canva layout (we chose a social media image).

Step 2: Choose a layout marked Free from the sidebar.

Step 3: Upload your stock image via “Uploads” and drag it onto the canvas. Use “Back” to layer it behind the text.

Step 4: Edit the text. Click the existing text box and type your headline or message.

Step 5: Adjust contrast or brightness for legibility. Alternatively, add a translucent overlay or change the text color.

Here’s the final version—done in minutes:

Not bad, right?

Design #2: Custom Image With Text Wrapper

Create a new design with custom dimensions—700px wide works well for most blogs (export at an efficient file size).

Upload your image, drag to fit, and add a shape (e.g., a rectangle) from “Shapes.” Use it as a text wrapper to guarantee contrast.

Use the “Text” tab to add your message inside the shape. Pick colors that meet accessibility contrast guidelines so text remains legible.

Optional: Select the background image ? “Transparency” ? lower slightly so the foreground text pops.

Here’s your finished design:

Design #3: Icon + Message (No Background Image)

Create a blank canvas. Use the “Bkground” tab to choose a solid or subtle pattern background.

Add an icon from “Search” (e.g., a chart or lightbulb). Resize and recolor to fit your palette.

Add a headline and optional subhead from “Text.” Align elements for balance and spacing—white space is your friend.

That’s it—three quick ways to build high-quality visuals for your blog. With a few reps, your images will look on-brand and professional.

Step 5 – Optimize Pictures for File Size and Search Engine Traffic

Now that you can create custom visuals, make sure they load fast and support SEO—because great design doesn’t matter if your page is slow or hard to discover.

i) Compress File Size. Page speed affects both user experience and rankings. A slow-loading post frustrates readers and hurts performance.

Even a one-second delay in load time can hurt conversions and pageviews, as noted in multiple speed studies.

Large image files are a common culprit. Fix it by compressing and exporting efficiently.

If you’re using WordPress, install an image optimization plugin such as Smush or Kraken to compress uploads automatically. Other reputable options include tools that convert images to modern formats and handle bulk optimization.

If you prefer compressing files before uploading, use a web tool. Here are three easy choices:

• Kraken (free trial)
• TinyPNG (simple and effective)
• EWWW Image Optimizer (affordable and powerful)

Just upload your image, download the compressed version, and you’re good to go.

Modern format tip: When possible, export to WebP (and AVIF where supported). These formats keep quality high at much smaller sizes than JPEG/PNG and are widely supported in modern browsers.

Layout stability tip: Set width/height (or use properly sized images) so the browser can reserve space and reduce layout shift.

Responsiveness tip: Upload appropriately sized images and let WordPress generate responsive variants; avoid dropping in huge 4000px files when your content area is 800–1200px wide.

ii) SEO Your Images. Image SEO is simple but often overlooked. Optimized images can rank in image search and help Google understand your page.

Focus on three basics:

• File name: Use descriptive, relevant names (e.g., “seo-infographic.png” instead of “IMG1234.png”).
• Title: Add meaningful titles on upload (helps organization and some assistive tools).
• Alt text: Briefly describe the image for accessibility and context. Don’t stuff keywords; write what a human would say. Decorative images can use empty alt (””) so screen readers skip them.

If you’re uploading via WordPress, these fields are in the Media panel. Or add them manually in HTML:

<img src="seo-graphic.png" alt="SEO traffic growth chart" title="SEO Growth Strategy">

Extra wins: Add captions when they add context, lazy-load below-the-fold images, and consider a CDN for global performance.

iii) Mix Up Your Visuals. Don’t rely on a single image type. Variety keeps readers engaged and reinforces key points.

Mix screenshots, illustrations, charts, infographics, product mockups, and icons.

As a rule of thumb, aim for roughly one visual every 300–400 words to break up text and guide the eye.

iv) Resize Images for Social Media. Want to repurpose blog visuals for social? Resize them to each platform’s preferred dimensions.

Use this updated image size guide for platforms like Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest:

You can crop and resize with built-in editors—or use dedicated tools. In Canva, “Resize” lets you quickly duplicate a design to multiple sizes.

• PicResize: Simple cropping and resizing with presets
• LunaPic: Similar to PicResize, with extra features
• Web Resizer: Fast online image optimization

Conclusion

Don’t treat images as optional—they’re essential for making your posts more helpful, more shareable, and more effective.

Using the steps in this guide, you can create high-quality visuals without expensive software or a professional designer. Your posts will look better, perform better, and rank better.

If your first few designs aren’t perfect, that’s okay. You’ll improve quickly with practice—and even a simple, well-optimized image beats a wall of text.

Start today. The sooner you publish custom, optimized visuals, the faster you’ll see gains in engagement, rankings, and conversions.