Free YouTube Channel Banner Downloader 2026 - HD Quality Downloads

YouTube Channel Banner Downloader

Download high-quality YouTube channel banners in multiple sizes

Supported formats:

  • • Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC...
  • • Handle: @channelhandle or https://www.youtube.com/@channelhandle
  • • Custom URL: https://www.youtube.com/c/channelname
  • • Channel ID: UC1234567890ABCDEF

Why Use Our Banner Downloader?

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Multiple Sizes

Download banners optimized for TV, desktop, tablet, and mobile viewing

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High Quality

Get original resolution banners directly from YouTube's servers

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Design Inspiration

Study successful channel designs for your own banner creation

YouTube Channel Banner Best Practices

Banner Dimensions:

  • Recommended: 2560 x 1440 pixels
  • Minimum: 2048 x 1152 pixels
  • Safe Area: 1546 x 423 pixels (center)
  • File Size: Maximum 6MB
  • Format: JPG, PNG, BMP, or GIF

Design Tips:

  • Keep text central: Avoid edges for mobile compatibility
  • Brand consistency: Match your channel's visual identity
  • High contrast: Ensure text is readable on all devices
  • Simple design: Avoid clutter for better recognition
  • Update regularly: Keep banners fresh and relevant

Complete Guide to YouTube Channel Banner Downloader and Channel Art Optimization

The YouTube channel banner represents the most prominent visual element on any YouTube channel page, functioning as the first impression that viewers receive when they discover your content. We understand that an effective YouTube Channel Banner Downloader serves content creators, marketers, designers, and brand managers who need to analyze competitor banners, preserve their own channel art, extract design inspiration, or migrate visual assets across platforms. Our comprehensive banner download tool empowers users to save high-resolution YouTube channel art efficiently while providing deep insights into optimal banner specifications, design strategies, and cross-platform display considerations that maximize channel branding impact.

Understanding YouTube Channel Banner Specifications

YouTube's channel banner dimensions require careful attention to ensure your artwork displays correctly across multiple devices and screen sizes. The platform recommends uploading banners with 2560 x 1440 pixel dimensions, which provides optimal quality for large desktop displays while maintaining sufficient resolution for automatic cropping on smaller screens. However, YouTube displays different portions of your banner depending on the device: television screens show the full 2560 x 1440 image, desktop computers display 2560 x 423 pixels, tablets crop to approximately 1855 x 423 pixels, and mobile devices show a centered 1546 x 423 pixel section.

This multi-device display reality creates the concept of the "safe area"—a central 1546 x 423 pixel zone where critical information including channel names, taglines, upload schedules, and social media links must reside to ensure visibility across all platforms. We emphasize that placing essential text or branding elements outside this safe area risks them being cropped on mobile devices, where the majority of YouTube viewing occurs. Smart channel banner design accommodates these technical constraints while creating visually compelling artwork that strengthens brand recognition and communicates channel value propositions effectively.

Why Download YouTube Channel Banners?

Competitive Analysis and Market Research

Digital marketers and YouTube strategists regularly download competitor channel banners to analyze successful branding approaches within their niches. By examining how leading channels in specific categories design their banners, we identify effective color schemes, typography choices, information hierarchy patterns, and visual storytelling techniques that resonate with target audiences. This competitive intelligence informs our own channel art development, helping us create banners that meet or exceed industry standards while maintaining unique brand differentiation.

We systematically collect banners from top-performing channels in relevant categories, analyzing common design elements including logo placement strategies, tagline positioning, call-to-action incorporation, social media icon integration, and upload schedule communication. This research reveals industry trends and viewer expectations that guide our design decisions, ensuring our channel banners align with category conventions while incorporating distinctive elements that capture attention in crowded recommendation feeds.

Portfolio Preservation and Historical Archives

Content creators frequently update their channel banners to reflect seasonal campaigns, special events, subscriber milestones, or brand refreshes. Downloading and archiving previous banner versions creates valuable historical records documenting channel evolution and design experimentation. We maintain organized portfolios of our banner iterations, enabling retrospective analysis of which designs correlated with subscriber growth, engagement increases, or brand recognition improvements.

Professional designers working with multiple clients need comprehensive portfolio documentation showcasing their YouTube channel art projects. Downloading completed banners at full resolution ensures designers possess high-quality examples for their websites, case studies, and new client presentations, even if original design files become inaccessible or clients modify artwork after project completion.

Design Inspiration and Creative Development

Graphic designers and creative professionals use banner downloads to build inspiration libraries containing diverse visual approaches to channel branding. By collecting banners representing different styles—minimalist designs, photography-focused layouts, illustrated artwork, typography-driven compositions, and gradient-heavy aesthetics—we create reference collections that spark creative ideas and inform design direction discussions with clients.

We analyze downloaded banners for technical execution details including color palette selections, font pairing strategies, visual balance techniques, negative space utilization, and compositional approaches that guide viewer attention. This detailed study of successful banner designs elevates our own creative capabilities, helping us develop more sophisticated and effective channel art that achieves specific branding and communication objectives.

Educational and Training Resources

YouTube marketing instructors, social media educators, and content creation coaches download channel banners to create comprehensive training materials demonstrating effective and ineffective banner design approaches. Real-world examples from successful channels provide concrete illustrations of design principles, making abstract concepts tangible for students learning YouTube branding strategies.

How to Download YouTube Channel Banners Effectively

Using Our YouTube Channel Banner Downloader Tool

Our banner downloader streamlines the download process through an intuitive interface requiring only the target channel URL or channel ID. We input the channel link into our tool, which automatically locates and extracts the banner image at the highest available resolution. The tool processes the request within seconds, providing a direct download link for the banner file that preserves original image quality without compression artifacts or resolution degradation.

The download process works seamlessly across all channel types—established channels with custom URLs, new channels using default YouTube identifiers, brand accounts, personal channels, verified channels, and unverified channels. Our tool handles various URL formats including standard channel URLs (youtube.com/c/ChannelName), legacy user URLs (youtube.com/user/Username), channel ID URLs (youtube.com/channel/UCxxxxx), and custom domain URLs redirecting to YouTube channels.

Manual Download Methods via Browser Tools

For users preferring manual extraction without third-party tools, browser developer tools provide alternative download methods. We navigate to the target channel, right-click the banner area, select "Inspect Element," locate the banner image URL within the HTML code, copy the image source URL, and paste it into a new browser tab to display the full-resolution banner. Right-clicking this isolated image allows saving to local storage at maximum available resolution.

This manual approach requires technical familiarity with browser developer tools and HTML structure but offers complete control over the download process without depending on external services. However, locating the correct image URL within complex page code can prove challenging for users unfamiliar with web page inspection, making dedicated downloader tools more practical for regular banner extraction needs.

Browser Extensions for Batch Downloads

Content researchers and competitive analysts needing to download multiple channel banners efficiently benefit from browser extensions designed for bulk image extraction. These extensions identify all images on YouTube channel pages, allowing users to select and download multiple banners simultaneously rather than processing channels individually. Batch downloading significantly accelerates research workflows when analyzing dozens or hundreds of channels within specific categories or competitive landscapes.

Optimal YouTube Channel Banner Design Principles

Visual Hierarchy and Information Architecture

Effective banner design establishes clear visual hierarchy that guides viewer attention through intentional placement of design elements. We position the most important information—typically the channel name or logo—prominently within the safe area using larger scale, contrasting colors, or distinct positioning that makes it immediately identifiable. Secondary information including taglines, upload schedules, or value propositions receives slightly less visual prominence through smaller sizing or subdued colors while remaining clearly readable.

The Z-pattern reading flow—where viewers naturally scan from top-left to top-right, then diagonally to bottom-left before moving to bottom-right—informs strategic element placement within banner compositions. We position critical brand identifiers along this natural eye movement path, ensuring viewers encounter our most important messaging during their brief initial channel assessment that determines whether they explore further or navigate elsewhere.

Color Psychology and Brand Consistency

Color selection for YouTube channel banners extends beyond aesthetic preferences to strategic brand communication and psychological impact. We choose primary banner colors that align with existing brand palettes established across websites, social media profiles, and video thumbnails, creating cohesive visual identities that strengthen brand recognition through consistent color associations. Color choices also convey specific psychological messages: blue communicates trust and professionalism, red signals energy and excitement, green suggests growth and health, purple indicates creativity and luxury, while orange conveys enthusiasm and approachability.

We ensure sufficient color contrast between text elements and background colors to maintain readability across different device screens and lighting conditions. High contrast combinations—dark text on light backgrounds or light text on dark backgrounds—provide optimal legibility, while low-contrast pairings create visual sophistication at the cost of reduced readability that may frustrate mobile viewers encountering our channel in bright outdoor lighting or dimmed evening viewing conditions.

Typography and Readability

Font selection significantly impacts banner effectiveness and brand perception. We choose typefaces that balance aesthetic appeal with practical readability, favoring clean sans-serif fonts for maximum legibility at small sizes on mobile devices while reserving decorative serif or script fonts for larger headlines that can accommodate their additional visual complexity. Font weight selection matters equally—bold or heavy weights ensure text remains visible when banners display at reduced sizes, while ultra-light weights risk disappearing entirely on mobile screens.

We limit text quantity on channel banners, recognizing that excessive copy creates cluttered compositions that viewers cannot process during brief channel encounters. Concise messaging—channel names, short taglines (5-8 words maximum), upload schedules, and essential contact information—communicates effectively without overwhelming viewers. Lengthy descriptions, detailed channel histories, or complex value propositions belong in channel descriptions rather than banner artwork where space constraints and viewing contexts demand brevity.

Incorporating Calls-to-Action

Strategic call-to-action (CTA) integration within channel banners encourages specific viewer behaviors that support channel growth objectives. Common banner CTAs include "Subscribe for weekly videos," "New content every Tuesday," "Follow on Instagram," or "Check out our latest series." We position CTAs prominently within the safe area using contrasting colors or button-style treatments that visually distinguish them from surrounding design elements, making desired actions clear and accessible.

However, we avoid CTA overload that presents viewers with multiple competing actions creating decision paralysis. Focusing on one or two primary CTAs—typically subscription encouragement and upload schedule communication—proves more effective than cluttering banners with numerous social media links, website URLs, and promotional messages that dilute focus and reduce conversion likelihood.

Technical Considerations for Banner Creation

File Format Selection

YouTube accepts multiple image formats for channel banners including JPG, PNG, BMP, and non-animated GIF files. We typically recommend PNG format for banners containing text, logos, or graphics requiring sharp edges and transparency support, as PNG's lossless compression preserves visual clarity without introducing compression artifacts. JPG format works well for photographic banners where slight compression artifacts remain imperceptible while reducing file sizes for faster loading.

We ensure banner file sizes remain under YouTube's 6MB maximum, which rarely presents constraints for properly optimized images at recommended dimensions. However, designers creating complex photographic composites or high-detail illustrations should optimize images through appropriate compression settings that balance visual quality with file size efficiency, ensuring rapid banner loading when viewers access channel pages.

Resolution and Image Quality

Uploading high-resolution banners at YouTube's recommended 2560 x 1440 dimensions ensures optimal display quality across all device sizes. Lower-resolution images may appear pixelated or blurry on large screens, particularly 4K displays becoming increasingly common for desktop YouTube viewing. We create banner artwork at recommended dimensions rather than upscaling smaller images, as artificial resolution increases cannot add authentic detail and typically produce inferior visual quality compared to natively high-resolution designs.

Safe Area Guides and Templates

Professional banner creation requires safe area templates that clearly delineate which portions of the artwork display on different devices. We download official YouTube channel art templates or create custom Photoshop/GIMP/Figma templates with marked safe zones, ensuring critical content placement within universally visible areas. These templates prevent frustrating design iterations where carefully positioned elements disappear on mobile devices, requiring redesigns that waste time and delay channel launches.

Copyright and Legal Considerations

Fair Use and Educational Purposes

Downloading YouTube channel banners for analysis, education, criticism, or research typically falls under fair use provisions in many jurisdictions. However, we exercise caution when republishing downloaded banners, ensuring any usage clearly constitutes transformative purposes such as design critiques, educational demonstrations, or competitive analysis rather than simple reproduction that might constitute copyright infringement.

Avoiding Design Plagiarism

While studying successful banners provides valuable design inspiration, directly copying competitor designs creates legal risks and damages professional reputation. We use downloaded banners as reference points for understanding effective approaches rather than templates for duplication, creating original designs that incorporate learned principles while maintaining unique visual identities that authentically represent our channels' distinct brands and personalities.

Banner Optimization for Different Channel Types

Gaming Channels

Gaming channel banners typically feature bold, energetic designs incorporating game characters, logos, streaming schedules, and vibrant color schemes that appeal to gaming demographics. We include specific game titles or genres the channel covers, streaming platforms beyond YouTube (Twitch, Facebook Gaming), and consistent branding elements that make channels instantly recognizable in crowded gaming categories.

Educational Channels

Educational content creators benefit from professional, trustworthy banner designs that communicate expertise and credibility. Clean layouts, academic color palettes, professional photography, and clear value propositions ("Learn Python Programming" or "Daily Science Facts") establish educational authority while making content focus immediately apparent to prospective subscribers evaluating channel value.

Entertainment and Vlog Channels

Entertainment channels prioritize personality-driven banners featuring creator photos, dynamic compositions, and approachable aesthetics that build personal connections with audiences. These banners often incorporate humor, casual typography, and authentic photography that reflects creator personalities rather than corporate polish, fostering the relatability that drives engagement in entertainment categories.

Business and Brand Channels

Corporate YouTube channels require banners that align with broader brand guidelines including specific color palettes, approved logos, typography standards, and messaging frameworks. These banners balance professional presentation with YouTube platform conventions, creating polished appearances that reinforce brand equity while remaining approachable and engaging rather than overly formal or corporate.

Updating and Maintaining Channel Banners

We recommend regular banner updates that keep channel appearances fresh and relevant to current content focuses, seasonal events, or subscriber milestone celebrations. Quarterly banner refreshes signal active channel management and content evolution, while stagnant artwork suggests abandoned or neglected channels that fail to maintain viewer interest. However, updates should maintain core brand elements including color schemes, logos, and typography to preserve brand recognition built through previous designs.

Seasonal banner variations acknowledge holidays, special events, or annual campaigns without completely abandoning established branding. Simple overlays adding seasonal elements to existing designs—holiday decorations, seasonal colors, event-specific graphics—provide freshness while maintaining brand consistency that prevents viewer confusion when encountering updated artwork.

Mobile-First Design Strategies

Given that over 70% of YouTube watch time occurs on mobile devices, we prioritize mobile display during banner design rather than treating it as an afterthought. This mobile-first approach means designing within the 1546 x 423 pixel safe area initially, then expanding outward for larger screens rather than creating full-canvas designs and attempting to retrofit them for mobile compatibility. Critical information, brand elements, and CTAs occupy mobile-visible zones, while decorative elements that enhance visual interest without conveying essential information extend into television and desktop-only areas.

Using Downloaded Banners for Design Analysis

We systematically analyze downloaded banner collections to extract actionable design insights. This analysis examines common dimensional layouts within successful channels, popular color palette trends across categories, typography choices that enhance readability, information density that balances detail with clarity, and CTA integration strategies that encourage subscription without appearing overly promotional. These insights inform evidence-based design decisions rather than relying on subjective preferences or untested assumptions about effective banner strategies.

YouTube Banner Display Comparison Across Devices

Device Type Display Dimensions Visible Area Design Priority Critical Considerations
Television 2560 x 1440 px Full Banner Decorative elements Maximum visual impact, full canvas usage
Desktop 2560 x 423 px Wide Strip Primary viewing Most common desktop experience, horizontal focus
Tablet 1855 x 423 px Medium Strip Secondary viewing Moderate cropping from edges
Mobile 1546 x 423 px Safe Area Only HIGHEST PRIORITY 70%+ of traffic, all critical info must fit
Minimum Upload 2048 x 1152 px Accepted Not recommended Lower quality on large screens
Recommended Upload 2560 x 1440 px Optimal BEST PRACTICE Maximum quality across all devices

*Safe Area (1546 x 423 px): The only zone guaranteed visible on ALL devices. Place all critical content here.

25 Frequently Asked Questions About YouTube Channel Banner Downloader

1. What is a YouTube Channel Banner Downloader?

A YouTube Channel Banner Downloader is a specialized tool that extracts and downloads the banner image (also called channel art) from any YouTube channel at the highest available resolution. It allows users to save channel banners for analysis, inspiration, portfolio preservation, or competitive research without complex manual extraction methods.

2. What are the optimal dimensions for YouTube channel banners?

YouTube recommends uploading banners at 2560 x 1440 pixels for optimal quality across all devices. The minimum accepted size is 2048 x 1152 pixels. However, the critical "safe area" is 1546 x 423 pixels centered on the banner—this zone displays on all devices including mobile, where most YouTube viewing occurs.

3. Is it legal to download YouTube channel banners?

Downloading channel banners for personal analysis, education, criticism, or research typically falls under fair use. However, republishing or using downloaded banners as your own violates copyright law. Downloaded banners should be used for inspiration, study, or competitive analysis rather than direct reproduction or commercial exploitation.

4. How do I use the YouTube Channel Banner Downloader?

Simply paste the target channel's URL or channel ID into our downloader tool and click the download button. The tool automatically locates and extracts the banner at maximum resolution, providing a direct download link within seconds. The process works with all channel URL formats including custom URLs, channel IDs, and legacy user URLs.

5. What file formats does YouTube accept for channel banners?

YouTube accepts JPG, PNG, BMP, and non-animated GIF formats for channel banners. PNG is recommended for designs with text, logos, or graphics requiring sharp edges, while JPG works well for photographic banners. Maximum file size is 6MB, though properly optimized images rarely approach this limit.

6. Why can't I see my entire banner on mobile devices?

Mobile devices display only the central 1546 x 423 pixel "safe area" of your banner, cropping the edges that appear on desktop and TV screens. This is why all critical content—channel names, taglines, upload schedules—must be positioned within the safe area to ensure visibility across all devices where viewers access your channel.

7. Can I download banners from any YouTube channel?

Yes, our tool can download banners from any public YouTube channel regardless of channel size, verification status, or content type. The tool works with personal channels, brand accounts, verified channels, and channels using custom URLs or default YouTube identifiers.

8. What resolution do downloaded banners have?

Downloaded banners are saved at the highest resolution the channel owner uploaded, typically 2560 x 1440 pixels for channels following YouTube's recommendations. Older channels or those using minimum specifications may have lower-resolution banners (2048 x 1152 pixels), which our tool downloads at their native resolution without artificial upscaling.

9. How often should I update my YouTube channel banner?

We recommend reviewing and potentially updating channel banners quarterly or when making significant content shifts, celebrating subscriber milestones, launching new series, or acknowledging seasonal events. Regular updates signal active channel management while maintaining core brand elements preserves recognition built through previous designs.

10. What information should I include in my channel banner?

Effective banners include channel name/logo, short value proposition or tagline (5-8 words maximum), upload schedule (if consistent), and optionally 1-2 social media links. Avoid information overload—mobile displays limit space significantly, and cluttered designs prevent effective communication of essential channel information.

11. Can I use copyrighted images in my YouTube banner?

Using copyrighted images without permission violates copyright law and can result in takedown notices or legal action. Use royalty-free stock photos, original photography, custom illustrations, or properly licensed imagery. Many stock photo services offer affordable licensing specifically for commercial use including YouTube channel art.

12. How do I create a banner that works on all devices?

Design within the safe area (1546 x 423 pixels) first, placing all critical content within this mobile-visible zone. Then extend decorative elements outward to fill the full 2560 x 1440 canvas for desktop and TV displays. Download and use YouTube's official channel art template to visualize safe zones during design.

13. What colors work best for YouTube channel banners?

Choose colors aligned with your existing brand palette for consistency across platforms. Ensure high contrast between text and backgrounds for readability on mobile devices. Consider color psychology: blue conveys trust, red signals energy, green suggests growth, purple indicates creativity. Test banner appearance in both light and dark YouTube themes.

14. Can I download multiple channel banners at once?

While our primary tool processes channels individually, browser extensions designed for bulk image extraction can download multiple banners simultaneously. This proves valuable for researchers analyzing numerous channels within specific categories or competitive landscapes requiring comprehensive banner collection.

15. Why do some channels have better-looking banners than others?

Banner quality differences result from design skill, resource investment, brand understanding, and technical knowledge of YouTube's display specifications. Professional channels often employ graphic designers familiar with safe area requirements, color theory, typography, and visual hierarchy principles that create polished, effective channel art.

16. What software should I use to create YouTube banners?

Professional designers typically use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Figma for maximum control and quality. Budget-friendly alternatives include Canva (with YouTube banner templates), GIMP (free Photoshop alternative), Pixlr (browser-based editor), or PowerPoint/Google Slides for simple text-based designs. Choose software matching your skill level and design complexity needs.

17. Do YouTube channel banners affect SEO or search rankings?

Banners don't directly impact YouTube search rankings, which prioritize video metadata, engagement signals, and watch time. However, professional banners enhance channel credibility, potentially increasing subscription rates and engagement—metrics that do influence search visibility indirectly. Banners primarily serve branding rather than direct SEO functions.

18. Can I download banners from private or unlisted channels?

Banner downloaders only work with publicly accessible channels. Private channels or unlisted videos don't expose their channel art through normal download methods. You must have appropriate access permissions to view and potentially download banners from restricted channels.

19. What's the difference between channel banner and channel icon?

The channel banner (2560 x 1440 pixels) is the large horizontal image at the top of channel pages. The channel icon (800 x 800 pixels) is the small circular profile picture that appears next to videos, in comments, and in search results. Both contribute to channel branding but serve different display contexts and size requirements.

20. How do I add text to my YouTube banner without it looking amateur?

Use high-quality fonts with appropriate weights (bold for readability), ensure sufficient contrast with backgrounds, limit text quantity to essential information, align text elements professionally, maintain consistent spacing, and avoid decorative fonts that reduce legibility at small sizes. Consider hiring a designer if typography skills remain limited.

21. Can I use animated GIFs as YouTube channel banners?

No, YouTube only accepts static images for channel banners. While GIF files are technically supported, animation doesn't display—only the first frame appears as a static image. For dynamic visual interest, create banners with implied motion through design elements rather than actual animation.

22. Why does my banner look different on YouTube than in my design software?

Color profile differences between design software and web browsers can cause color shifts. Design in sRGB color space (web standard) rather than CMYK or Adobe RGB. Additionally, YouTube compresses uploaded images slightly, potentially affecting very subtle color gradients or details imperceptible in most designs.

23. How do I download my own channel banner to backup or edit?

Use our banner downloader tool with your own channel URL to retrieve your current banner at full resolution. This proves valuable when original design files are lost or inaccessible, enabling banner modifications without recreating designs from scratch. Always maintain backup copies of original design files independently.

24. Should I include social media links in my YouTube banner?

Including 1-2 primary social media platforms (typically Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok) can help cross-platform audience building without cluttering the banner. Use recognizable icons rather than full URLs to save space, and ensure links are also listed in your channel description where they're clickable and more accessible.

25. What makes a YouTube channel banner effective?

Effective banners combine clear brand identity, concise messaging within the safe area, appropriate color choices matching channel themes, readable typography at all sizes, professional visual quality, strategic calls-to-action, consistency with other channel elements, and mobile-first design thinking that prioritizes the viewing experience where most traffic occurs.

Essential YouTube Banner Design Best Practices

Must-Follow Guidelines

  • ✓ Design mobile-first - Place all critical content within the 1546 x 423px safe area
  • ✓ Upload at 2560 x 1440px - Maximum quality across all device types
  • ✓ Use high contrast - Ensure text remains readable on mobile screens
  • ✓ Maintain brand consistency - Match colors and styles across all platforms
  • ✓ Limit text quantity - Keep messaging concise for quick comprehension
  • ✓ Test across devices - Preview how banners appear on mobile, tablet, and desktop

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ✗ Placing text outside safe area - Mobile users won't see critical information
  • ✗ Using low-resolution images - Pixelated banners appear unprofessional
  • ✗ Including too much information - Cluttered designs overwhelm viewers
  • ✗ Using decorative fonts - Reduces readability at small sizes
  • ✗ Ignoring brand guidelines - Creates disconnected visual identity
  • ✗ Never updating banners - Suggests inactive or abandoned channels

Quick Banner Checklist

Technical Requirements:

  • • Dimensions: 2560 x 1440px
  • • File size: Under 6MB
  • • Format: PNG or JPG
  • • Color space: sRGB

Content Elements:

  • • Channel name/logo
  • • Short tagline (5-8 words)
  • • Upload schedule
  • • 1-2 social links (optional)

Design Principles:

  • • High contrast text
  • • Safe area compliance
  • • Brand consistency
  • • Mobile-first approach