7 Facebook Ad Templates to Jumpstart Your Campaign

Whether you’re running ads for your own business or a digital marketing side hustle (which also happens to be our favorite side hustle), setting up a new Facebook ads account can be pretty involved.

But what if you could create a system to automate and streamline ad creation? Would you like to work more efficiently so that you’re trading in less of your time?

Well… hello, Facebook ad templates. Nice to meet you.

In this post, we’re going to cover what Facebook ad templates are, why you should consider using them, and how to make an ad template of your own to kickstart your creativity. Plus, we’ll provide you with some great examples you can *ahem* borrow from.

Now, before we get started, don’t misread this as a call to utilize mindless, creativity-lacking automation. No one wants to scroll down their newsfeed and see a bunch of the same ads over and over again. That’s super lame, and it’ll cost you potential clients.

Creating your own ad templates eliminates that risk. You can tailor each ad to you or your client’s needs, all while saving yourself valuable time. That’s a win-win!

Types of Facebook ad templates
What are Facebook ad templates?
Creating your own Facebook ad templates
Best practices that go beyond Facebook ad templates
The bottom line

Types of Facebook Ad Templates

One of the many reasons why Facebook ads are so effective is because of the flexibility of the designs. Sure, there are hard and fast rules you need to follow for posting (we’ll discuss those later on). But, from a design perspective, you have so many options.

Here are seven examples of various templates you can use in Canva to get your creative juices flowing.

1. Single-Image Ads

The bread and butter of Facebook advertising is the single-image ad. It should have a relatable image that seamlessly connects to easy-to-understand copywriting. Use vibrant, quality images to help catch the attention of casual scrollers.

Need more tips on creating eye-catching ads? Learn more at 7 Examples of Great Facebook Ads and Why They Work.

To create a single-image ad template, follow these steps:

Step 1: Set your dimensions on a custom design to 1200 x 628 px.

Step 2: Go to Elements, then drag and drop an image placeholder from the category “grids” onto your design.

Step 3: Title it “Single-Image Ad Template,” and save it as a template.

And that’s literally it. You’ll now be able to upload and install your own images, plus have them cropped to the correct size for you. No guesswork is needed.

Alternatively, if you want a 1:1 ratio square image, you can set your template dimensions to 1,080 x 1,080 px, title it “Single-Image Square Ad Template,” and you’re good to go. There are successful ads with either ratio.

The above steps are the basics for all other formats in terms of creating an image template.

Single-image ad specifications at a glance:

File type: jpg or png
Image ratio: 1.91:1 to 4:5
Resolution: Highest resolution possible, pictures will be resized to dims of 476x248px with a link and 500×300 without
Headline: 25 characters
Text: 125 recommended, but you know we love a good long-form copy
Link description: 30 characters

A single-image ad to “borrow” from:

This 1.91:1 ratio image ad for Dollar Shave Club makes you want to sign up.

The image is a simple representation of what you could expect to get if you became one of their “genius members,” and who doesn’t want to feel super smart? The CTA is clear, compelling, and tells you exactly what to do.

2. Carousel Ads

If a single image won’t tell your story sufficiently, consider using Facebook’s carousel feature. This lets you upload as few as two to as many as 10 images in a single ad.

Carousel ads are compelling because they not only allow for different media formats in the same ad, they can also individually link to different pages. This allows for more engagement and flexibility in your storytelling.

You wouldn’t necessarily need an image template in place for a carousel ad. Just make sure you are using a 1:1 ratio image with minimum dimensions of 600 x 600 px.

Carousel ad specifications at a glance:

2-10 cards
Image file type: jpg or png
Video file type: mp4 or MOV recommended
Video maximum file size: 4GB
Video length: Up to 240 minutes
Image maximum file size: 30MB
Resolution: At least 1080 x 1080px, 600 x 600 minimum
Ratio: 1:1 recommended
Text: 125 characters
Headline: 25 characters

A carousel ad to draw inspiration from:

This is a great example of how to leverage the benefits of the carousel format. The option to have different captions on each carousel card gives you a chance to showcase more than one feature and tell your story in a more captivating way.

What’s more, this ad catches the eye with contrasting night and day images. Maybe we should make this location Laptop Empires headquarters?

3. Side-By-Side Ad Images

What if you want to make a comparison between two images and have them share the screen? This can be accomplished by creating a Facebook ad template that has two images side-by-side.

To create a side-by-side image ad template, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a custom design with 1200 x 628 px dimensions, like the single-image ad template.

Step 2: Drag and drop an image placeholder onto your design. It will naturally fill up the entire space of your design, so you will need to resize it to fit a second image placeholder.

The example is resized to be about 580px wide, so there will be some negative space in between the two images.

Step 3: With the placeholder highlighted, click “Duplicate,” and then slide the copy on the other side of the design.

Step 4: Name it “Side-by-side Image Ad Template” and save it as a template. Boom.

A side-by-side image ad we can all relate to:

Not only does this ad identify a pain point (doing laundry, ugh), but it does so in a quick, clean, and relatable way. It also uses a simple, succinct headline.

Plus, that image on the left nearly makes you cringe. The idea of spending your day in a laundromat when someone else could do your laundry for you is a big thumbs down from us.

All that said, the only thing that could make this ad better is a nice big CTA, especially since they are highlighting using their services from your phone.

Specs for this ad would be the same as for the single-image ad template.

4. Text on Image Ads

Even though Facebook threatens to choke your reach if you exceed 20% text to image ratio on your ads, sometimes you just need a few words on your images. If you run into this situation, keep in mind that logo text counts as text, too!

To make a Facebook ad template for text on images, follow these steps:

Step 1: Follow step 1 and step 2 from the Single-Image Ad Template to create a custom design with either the 1200 x 628px or 1080 x 1080px dimensions.

Step 2: Click Text, add a heading, and choose a place on your template.

As a design side note, studies have shown that the casual observer views in an F shape, so placing your text on the left-hand side is a good default.

Additionally, using all caps on single-word text is good for grabbing attention. But if you are using more complex text, it becomes more difficult to read quickly because your brain recognizes the shapes of words in lowercase faster than uppercase.

Here are a few very important tips when adding text to an image for an ad:

Keep it minimal, below the 20% image to text margin
Make it easily legible by using a clean font and a contrasting color to the background
Keep the image simple and eye-catching

A text on image ad that works:

Slack is an awesome communication tool for teams, and this ad explains exactly how Slack can help you keep in touch with your team no matter where you are.

The on-image text compels its audience to click that CTA, while the caption offers a tempting solution to a modern business problem. Better yet, the text pops against the dark background and is easy to read quickly.

Basically, it just works.

Not seeing the ad format you’re looking for? Learn more about ad specs in All Facebook Ad Sizes And Specs.

5. Desktop Video Ads

Sometimes you need the power of video to convey the right message. Fortunately, Facebook makes it easy for you to incorporate video into your ads.

Video ads have been shown to create higher engagement levels with the audience and are a great way to tell a story while capturing attention in a short amount of time.

Facebook video ads can be placed in a newsfeed, in-stream, stories, or the Marketplace. This format is as versatile as the single-image ads.

Be aware that if you want to use an animated GIF, it falls under the video ad category.

Since ads are viewed across multiple devices, you have to pay attention to the ad specs for desktop versus mobile devices.

Desktop video ad specifications at a glance:

File type: .MP4 or .MOV
Image ratio: 9:16 to 16:9 allowed; 4:5 recommended
Resolution: Highest resolution possible that meets file size requirements
Headline: 25 characters
Text: 125 recommended
Link description: 30 characters

Like other ads, you’ll want to ensure your video ad includes:

A link to your account
The primary copy
Video view (where the audience can choose to play or pause the video)
A headline
Clear call-to-action

6. Video Mobile-Feed Ads

The specs for video ads your audience sees on a smartphone are similar to the desktop version. You’ll want to get this one right — over 98% of people using Facebook view it on a mobile device.

The key difference from the desktop version is the aspect ratio. For mobile ads, the aspect ratio must have a max height of 4:5.

Here are the other specs at a glance:

File type: .MP4 or .MOV
Image ratio: Max height: 4:5
Resolution: Highest resolution possible that meets file size requirements
Headline: 25 characters
Text: 125 recommended
Link description: 30 characters

7. Facebook Marketplace Ads

If you’re running a campaign for a local business, such as a real estate agent, plumber, electrician, or other professional services, then the Marketplace may be the ideal spot for the ad.

One of the great features of running an ad here is that you can use either an image ad or a video ad. If you think you’ll be creating ads for professional services on a regular basis, you could cut down on time by getting your Marketplace templates ready.

Here are examples of two ads placed in a Marketplace search for home repair items:

As a reminder, there are different specs to incorporate.

Facebook Marketplace image ads specs:

Newsfeed text display: 125 characters
Headline: 25 characters (3-6 words)
Link description: 30 characters
Strongly recommended dimensions of 1,200 x 628 pixels, minimum 600×600
Thumbnail specs: Less than 20% text displayed in thumbnail
Format: Most file types supported, PNG and JPEG recommended
Aspect Ratio: 9:16 to 16:9 with allowance for cropping to 1.91:1 when a link is included
File size: 30MB

Facebook Marketplace video ads specs:

Newsfeed text display: 125 characters
Headline: 25 characters (3-6 words)
Link description: 30 characters
Thumbnail specs: Less than 20% text displayed in thumbnail
Format: Most file types supported, MP4 and .MOV recommended
Aspect Ratio: 9:16 to 16:9 with allowance for cropping to 1.91:1 when a link is included
Video max length: 240 minutes
File size: 4GB

What are Facebook Ad Templates?

If you Google “Facebook ad templates,” you’re going to be inundated by pitches from web apps like Canva, Ripl, and others with enticing offers for free ad templates.

While these sites have their benefits, none of them offer a comprehensive Facebook ad template library.

What you want is an ad template that keeps the key components of a good Facebook ad in mind.

This includes:

A clear call-to-action (CTA)
Engaging your avatar
Providing value to your audience
An eye-catching image
Compelling copywriting

Most of the templates you’ll find in Canva or Ripl will be great for general content but not so much for ads. They aren’t even necessarily the right dimensions for Facebook, and this will just cause you a huge headache.

However, Canva is still a great resource for creating ads. As long as you know the right dimensions for specific kinds of ads, you can easily create a series of templates to use again and again.

Why You Should Create Your Own Facebook Ad Templates

With a very limited (and unusual) 1200px – 628px dimension, templates reduce the time you spend trying to come up with images that fit and look good in your targeted audience’s newsfeed.

And, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Don’t be tempted to reinvent the wheel every time you create a new ad. There’s a reason why major brands stick to designs time and time again — they work.

Better yet, you can save yourself time. With drag and drop, you’ll have structures in place to simply fill with each brand’s content and messages with just a few clicks.

Creating Your Own Facebook Ad Templates

Again, Canva is a great resource for creating Facebook ads and templates. However, some of the templates are geared more towards general content and not ads. The biggest issue is using the correct dimensions for your ads.

Fortunately, we explained how to create these templates above.

There are a few important things to pay attention to when designing your ads:

Character limits in the ad headline
Description text
Link descriptions
No more than 20% text in the image (Facebook is pretty strict about this one)

Best Practices that Go Beyond Facebook Ad Templates

Keep in mind that the image of an ad is only the beginning. Without a solid copy, it’s just an eye-catching photo.

You’ll also need to make sure these other vital ad components are on point:

Relevance score: Does your audience relate to the content? Does it address a pain point they have and provide a realistic solution? Does your landing page serve the needs of your customer and move them further through the funnel, or are you choking your ad performance with a poor relevance score?
Authoritative Offer: Does your ad inspire confidence in the service or product you’re promoting? Are you employing social proof or some other method of authority to give your customer the confidence they need to click on your offer? What about the offer itself? Is it enticing?
Clear call-to-action: Without this, you’re basically running a PSA. What in your offer directs your audience to click the link or make the purchase rather than just scroll on and maybe come back to you later (if they even remember who you are)?

This might seem like a lot, but we break this and more down into easy-to-digest nuggets in the Facebook Side Hustle Course so you can confidently know you are giving your ad a fighting chance in your audience’s newsfeed.

Final Thoughts on Facebook Ad Templates

Don’t fall for the idea that you either have to create your ad images from scratch every time or use some ineffective template from web app sources.

Making your own ad image templates is quick and easy. It’s an efficient way to get what you want for each ad every time.

Set up some drag-and-drop templates so that you can focus your skills and knowledge on creating compelling copy and captivating CTAs instead of fiddling with image sizes!

7 Facebook Ad Templates to Jumpstart Your Campaign