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What Is Stencil?
Ridiculously simple image creation for social media marketers, bloggers and small businesses.
Who Uses Stencil?
Social media marketers, small businesses and bloggers
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Reviews of Stencil
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Why this is my go-to design tool for a non-designer
Comments:
As a non-designer who sometimes need to make some designs, this is a perfect tool.
Instead of speaking in inches and pixels, which I don't know a thing about, imagine using a tool where you would just say: "Facebook Group Cover Photo."
And immediately have access to designed templates ready to use, or simply a blank Facebook Group Cover Photo blank image to fill-in at our free will. With an easy to use drag-and-drop system.
Sorry designers, but for my needs, I am mostly independent now.
Pros:
As I said in the title, I am not a designer. But as a copywriter, I sometimes need to think about the visual aspect of my copy or my ads. And I sometimes need to test visuals and even create them. And for me, this is sometimes a huge pain. I used to have photoshop but I always felt I was only using 10% of it. And even the 10% I was using were too messy. I wanted a simple tool. Where I could have the designs ready and I would just need to edit. And Stencil is perfect for that. They have the templates ready where you just need to select the type of image you want to create and they automatically adjust it to the desired size. For instance, if I want to create the cover photo of a LinkedIn profile, I just click on the LinkedIn profile size template, and there it is. I just need to edit the template from there. It's really practical and simple. And they have the sizes for all major needs. From Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, you name it. It's just about creating a new file, pick the image size based on the template you want to edit, and start editing. For me, this is the best reason why I am a Stencil fan. Also, having access to Unplash images, it's easier to deploy my desired image without the need to download the image from Unsplash and add it there. No, everything is there, ready to produce what I need. As a non-designer, I've never needed Canva or Photoshop, after got Stencil.
Cons:
As with most platforms that offer templates, you always want more. For a few social media platforms, their template options are still not enough. When I am mentioning template options, I am not talking about the file size, as I was talking on the things I like the most. On Stencil, we can find ready to deploy templates of Facebook ads, Pinterest pins, etc., where we just need to edit the image, the copy, and it's done. Those templates, for most cases, I end up not doing much with them because they are still too limited for what I need. I typically end up needing to do everything from scracth. But fortunately, it's easy to do it, so it is still a no brainer for me to use Stencil.
Very simple and pretty addictive tool
Comments: One of the very first web-based image editing tool I've used, probably since 5 years ago. It's not a copy of something else, but it has it's pretty unique system, but not at all hard to figure out. Actually it's pretty intuitive to start using right away. Very simple usage as in adding an background image, a filter, some text and editing the colors. I prefer it over other more expensive and popular tools for a lot of use-cases. But mostly focuses on social media sharing and postings. I use it to add inspirational quotes to pictures and share on my twitter (I know, right?). In this regard the tool is pretty addictive because I manage to create a high amount of images in a relatively short amount of time. Recently acquired by NameCheap, which is interesting because I'm also using them, which might mean that it will integrate more and more with their tools and that it's here to stay.
Pros:
The best thing about it, is it's simplicity. All you can do is just put an image, add some basic shapes, text, watermark and very basic style editing like filters, text color, shadows, transparency. There isn't much to do which really helps with time management. Just add the image and a text and it's done. Don't waste hours on end looking through different features to make things look worse. It's very intuitive to use. You won't get confused with this one, and it pretty sums it up for 80% of use-case for social-media postings. You have a great size-adjustment tool where the same image you've created gets resized based on what you want it for - instagram story or facebook cover? Of course, sometimes it's not that great output, but it beats having to redo it again on 10 different sizes. I see this tool mostly as a time management help tool that restricts you to do it simply, without deliberating for hours and then it resizes it for you with one click. It also has a great amount of photo selection from Unsplash which you can use for free and no hidden costs.
Cons:
Obviously some of the Pros I've listed, might be Cons for some people - like being too simple, not many features, etc. Obviously I have certain use-cases for it that does the job great, but if I need something more complex I use other tools. The resize feature also doesn't always have the best output, based on all the elements in your composition.
Great app for design but not enough pro
Comments: Easy creation of pictures, no need to install, double size when you export the picture and thousand and thousand of free pictures to use.
Pros:
I like the most that you have millions of pictures to use for free. It's great to use with templates. Easy to use. You can export in different sizes and create your personal pictures perfectly sized for your social media networks.
Cons:
I don't like that I can't group the pictures or select all layers at the same time. It's hard for me that they don't have it. To much time lost.
Stencil Response
4 years ago
Thanks for the review. We're working on grouping, and fingers crossed we'll have that soon-enough. I know it's frustrating, so thanks for giving us a chance :)
Easiest graphics ever!
Comments: Quick to get up and running for people with no technical experience. I've recommended it to hundreds of people, who also all love it.
Pros:
There is a very short learning curve with this software, like, less than an hour to completely know everything you need to know. It's quick, easy, and keeps getting better.
Cons:
This is a bare bones software for creating quick graphics. On one hand, it's great, no fuss. But, if you want to create other types of designs, aside from social media or blog graphics, like slides with movement, you'll need to use another software. Not really a con, just something to be aware of.
Quick and Easy to Use Online Graphics Tool
Comments: Stencil for me has been the go-to software for graphics needs, it has a vast library of resources, constantly gets better and its very easy to use. its a highly recommended product, a true gem.
Pros:
It has an easy to use online interface. All the key graphics editing options are easy to find and apply. The user interface is clean and after using it for a while, creating new graphics for social media or for websites can be done within minutes.
Cons:
Having used this software for more than 2 years there were initially constraints with the amount of high quality stock images, icons, templates and vector graphics available in the library, but over the years new content is regulary added and the library is updated. I almost can find whatever assets i need within minutes.
