Update: PicMonkey is now a paid tool. The basic plan starts at $7.99 monthly.
Let’s dive in and learn how to use PicMonkey.
Are you on the lookout for new, free tools that will help with your blogging tasks?
One of those tasks is engaging your reader. By having a graphic that represents your content, your readers will understand your information better and be drawn in as well.
Also, studies show they are more likely to share your posts if they are accompanied by graphics.
The Digital Age in which we live is increasingly becoming a society that learns by looking at pictures and enjoys doing so. This explains the astronomical popularity of sites like YouTube and Pinterest.
Since writing 89 of the Best Free Blogging Tools that Will Save You Time Blogging and This is How You Spruce Up Your Visuals with Free Tools, I discovered PicMonkey, a popular photo editing site.
By the end of this article, you will be able to use PicMonkey to make designs, edit photos, touch up photos, or make collages.
PicMonkey Tutorial
This post will explain how to make this graphic used in the article Successful Blogging: Do You Need Certain Qualities?
- Go to https://www.picmonkey.com/
- At the top of the screen, you will find your choices. Click Edit, Touch Up, Design, or Collage. Under “Free Trial” you can also click “Details.” If you want to edit a photo, click “Edit.” If you want to make a design, like I did, click “Design.”
- Click “Open” to get a saved photo you want to edit.
- I clicked “Canvas Color” to get a background color. Bright colors do well on Pinterest. Pink went with the mood I wanted to create.
- Click “Apply…” to save what you did.
- I clicked Text to write over my canvas.
- Scroll down until you find a font that you want to use. Click it. You will see a text box on your canvas you can edit.
- Resize your text box.
- Off to the right, you will see a place to change your text color. Black is the default. I changed it to purple.
- I clicked “Texture” but didn’t like what I chose. I clicked “Reverse” to discard the change or “Cancel”.
- I chose “Water” and was happier. It seemed to fit the mood I was going for.
- I chose “Frames,” “Simple Edge.” There are more creative frame choices you can pay for.
- I clicked “Outer Color” and changed the default black to purple which I thought which match the letters.
- I reduced the frame thickness from the default 20 to 16. I clicked “Apply” to save.
- I wanted to add my blog name which I use instead of a watermark, so again I clicked “Text,” chose a font I liked, and then clicked “Add Text.”
- I reduced the size of the text and aligned the text so it would be centered. A tool box to the right will enable you to make those changes.
- I clicked “Save,” so it would save to my computer when I was done. To my pleasant surprise, PicMonkey evaluated the quality of my graphic.
Advantages of Using PicMonkey
- This tool is popular among bloggers. If you need help, most bloggers are familiar with how to use it.
- PicMonkey interfaces with many programs. Those sites ask if you want to open your graphic with PicMonkey.
- PicMonkey is easy.
- PicMonkey has ready-made templates. Choose “Themes” to use them.
- PicMonkey has a blog with tips and tutorials explaining how to use the company’s graphic design tools.
- I made the graphic above quickly. Someone was waiting for me while I made it, in fact. Without typing these steps as I went, it would have taken just a few minutes. Over time, you will be familiar with the choices at PicMonkey, and it will take you even less time than that to make a graphic. Also, PicMonkey takes less time to use since you don’t have to take the time to sign in if you have a free plan.
- There are paid plans that allow you to use more creative tools. For example, the canvas in the top graphic is available with a paid plan. It was made with a texture called “Edifice.”
Testimonial
According to Pineapple and Main,
PicMonkey is an incredibly simple photo editing site that I find much, much easier to use than Photoshop. I probably use this tool more than any other photo editing tool. PicMonkey makes it very easy to create images for blog posts, Twitter, Instagram, and pins for Pinterest.
PicMonkey vs Canva
People ask which is better– this tool or Canva. Canva is considered the most popular graphic design tool. In addition, Canva has a free plan, but PicMonkey doesn’t.
On the other hand, Canva’s paid plan starts at $12.00 monthly, but PicMonkey’s paid plan starts at $7.99 monthly.
Are You Ready to Try PicMonkey?
In conclusion, PicMonkey is easy, free, and fast. I had heard it allowed for greater creativity than other photo editing sites, and I agree; it does. I even had fun using it! You can too!
Blogger’s please share, so other know about the ease of this graphic design tool.
What is your experience? Have you tried PicMonkey? Would you recommend it? If not, what graphic design tool would you recommend? I look forward to your views in the comment section.
Would you like more free blogging tools? Click here to get your own downloadable PDF of my 89 free blogging tools list.
Related Posts:
How to Use Canva: A Quick Guide
6 Top Photo Effects that Will Make You Glow with Pride
How to Double Your Traffic Using Simple Photography Tips
How to Rock Your Blog Photos for Free with Snapseed
Taking Blog Photos Doesn’t Have To Be Hard. Try These 10 Easy Tips.
4 Simple Ways to Start Blogging Creatively
How to Find a Wealth of Free Stock Photos
PicMonkey FAQ
How much is PicMonkey?
The basic plan costs $7.99.
Is PicMonkey free to use?
No. Years ago PicMonkey was a free tool, but it’s not anymore.