Overlays are a popular choice if you want to add something like a decorative border over your pictures, or to place a logo in one of the corners of your layout.
Use this guide to better understand the difference between "logos" & "overlays" and to learn how to successfully design your own overlay graphic.
Overlays vs. Logos
Logos
Logos are placed next to the frame(s) in your layout. This means additional space will be created on the layout to accommodate the logo.
In the table below, notice how the logo doesn't cover any part of the pictures.
Bottom Logo | Top Logo | Side Logo |
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Overlays
Overlays are placed directly in the center of your layout, on top of the frame(s). Your graphic elements should be properly placed before uploading the file to your settings.
In the table below, notice the the difference between a logo file and an overlay file when uploaded to the overlay setting. A file designed to be a logo will cover the picture in an undesirable way, while an overlay design will have the logo element pre-positioned where you want it to appear in the layout.
Logo Saved To Overlay Setting | Overlay Saved To Overlay Setting |
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Designing Overlays
Elements of your overlay should be placed exactly where you want them before you import your overlay file to your Simple Booth settings. Once the file has been imported, you won't be able to move anything around by dragging and dropping.
Overlay Sizing
The overlay file will not "stretch to fit" your layout, so it is important that you create the overlay in the recommended size.
In the table below, notice two different overlays applied to the landscape layout. A landscape-sized overlay should be used for a landscape-sized layout.
Square Overlay On Landscape Layout | Landscape Overlay On Landscape Layout |
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Sizing Overlays
Most graphics editing programs will prompt you to pick a size before you can start designing.
Your iPad orientation and other aspects of the picture's appearance will affect what size overlay to use. This includes the layout type, crop, margin thickness, and whether you plan to use a combination of graphics like a logo in addition to your overlay.
Learn more about sizing in our design guide.
Overlays & Transparency
Overlays are "laid over" your entire layout; think of these as acting like a watermark.
Because the overlay is placed on top of your pictures, most of the file needs to be transparent. This allows the picture to show through while still placing your graphic elements on top of parts of your image(s).
In the table below, notice the difference between a transparent file and one with a white background.
Overlay With Transparency | Overlay Without Transparency |
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Creating Transparency
Some graphics editing programs will prompt you to choose a solid or a transparent background as a first step, and in others you may select or add this in later.
If you're new to designing in your graphics editing program, the easiest thing to do is to start with a completely blank slate. Then you can import graphic elements like your company's logo, or incorporate other designs (like text or stickers) that your graphics editing program supports.