Tips & Tricks
Every tip from the ThumbCrafted editor, all in one place.
Essential Tools
Click any element to select it, then use the panel controls to customize.
BasicsLong press to drag to trash bin to delete, or simply press Delete or Backspace key.
BasicsColor palette at the top changes the color of whatever element is currently selected.
ColorHit Save to export your image as PNG or JPG — toggle format in the save options.
ExportUse Layer controls to bring elements forward or send them behind others.
LayersText & Captions
Quick Text is for short punchy words — use Caption for longer multi-line content.
TextDid you know that in the Captions feature you can choose specific colors for each word for added emphasis?
CaptionsTry Neon or Fire text styles for eye-catching thumbnail headlines.
EffectsChange fonts anytime — your text reflows automatically to fit.
FontsShapes & Arrows
Arrow elements can be rotated to any angle using the rotation slider when selected.
ArrowsChoose from 3 arrow styles: Curved, Straight, or Bold — each with custom colors.
ArrowsUse the Straighten button on lines to snap them perfectly level.
LinesBlur & Effects
Blur supports 7 different styles — try Halftone or Swirl for creative effects.
BlurCombine Adjust sliders with Filters for unique color grades — they stack together.
FiltersUse the B&W filter with increased Contrast for a dramatic editorial look.
FiltersAdvanced Techniques
Elongate adds space below your image — perfect for adding captions or tags.
LayoutUse Merge to combine two images vertically for before/after comparisons.
CombineBG Fill + Flatten locks a color layer permanently behind all your content.
BackgroundSave your layout as a Template to reuse the same style on different images.
TemplatesDouble click anywhere on image or image overlay to crop.
CropClean Mode hides all handles for a distraction-free preview — great for screenshots.
ViewDesktop Shortcuts
Ctrl+Z — Undo your last action.
HistoryCtrl+Y or Ctrl+Shift+Z — Redo.
HistoryCtrl+S — Save / export your image.
ExportCtrl+C — Copy the current canvas to clipboard (when no text is focused).
ClipboardCtrl+V — Paste an image from clipboard to load as your base image.
ClipboardCtrl+D — Duplicate the selected element.
EditDelete or Backspace — Delete the selected element.
EditArrow keys — Nudge selected element by 1px. Hold Shift to nudge 10px.
PositionT — Quick-add a text element. C — Open caption modal.
Quick Add1 Shapes · 2 Annotate · 3 Compose · 4 Effects — Switch sidebar panels instantly.
NavigationZ — Zoom in. X — Zoom out. 0 — Reset to 100%.
Zoom[ — Send element backward. ] — Bring element forward in layer order.
LayersShift+Plus — Increase thickness. Shift+Minus — Decrease thickness of selected shape.
ShapeEscape — Deselect the current element.
Selection? — Open the keyboard shortcut cheat sheet overlay.
HelpDouble-click a text element to quickly edit its content inline.
Quick EditDouble-click an image overlay to open the crop tool for that image.
Quick EditRight-click any element for quick actions: Delete, Duplicate, Layer controls, and more.
Context MenuMobile Gestures
Tap any element to select it. Tap empty canvas to deselect.
SelectionDrag — Touch and slide to move any selected element around the canvas.
MovePinch (two fingers) — Resize any element. Works on text, captions, emojis, shapes, blocks, and images.
ResizeTwist (two fingers) — Rotate arrows, watermarks, and lines by twisting with two fingers.
RotateTwo-finger double tap — Flatten the image, merging all elements into the base image permanently.
FlattenDouble tap a text or caption element to edit its content directly.
Quick EditLong press (hold 500ms) then drag to the trash bin to delete an element.
DeleteDrag resize handles — Use the corner handles on selected elements to resize precisely with one finger.
ResizeTouch and draw on the blur brush canvas to paint blur effects freehand with your finger.
Brush