In this tutorial, you will learn how to use ChatGPT’s native image generation to create custom YouTube thumbnails instantly — using just simple text prompts, reference images, or even rough sketches.
Step-by-step
- Upload a reference image of yourself or the main subject in ChatGPT, then write a detailed prompt describing exactly what you want in your thumbnail.
- For style consistency, upload both a reference thumbnail you like and your subject image, then ask the AI to maintain the style while swapping elements.
- Refine results with follow-up prompts or use the edit feature to highlight areas needing changes.
- For maximum creative control, upload a rough sketch showing your layout, along with any reference images you want to include.
Pro tip: You can also use an image expander tool like Canva or Adobe’s Generative Fill to adjust your thumbnail for perfect YouTube dimensions (16:9).