The short version
- To make a release promo card, drop in your cover art, type the artist and title, pick a message like “Out Friday”, and download a PNG. Free, no signup, no watermark.
- Four sizes in one go: 1080×1920 for Stories, Reels and TikTok, 1080×1350 and 1080×1080 for feed posts, and 1920×1080 for YouTube, X and Facebook.
- Four styles: Spotlight, Poster, Vinyl and Minimal, with the accent colour pulled from your cover automatically.
- Countdown cards work out “5 days to go” from your release date, so you can post one every day of release week.
- Your cover never leaves your device. The cards are drawn in your browser.
Why bother with promo cards?
Because “new song out, link in bio” in plain text gets scrolled past faster than a terms-and-conditions page. A card with your cover art is instantly recognisable, and when people see the same artwork three or four times across a week, they actually remember to press play. I learned this after releasing a song to the sound of absolutely nobody noticing. You don’t need a designer for this. You need your cover, a big clear message, and the right sizes.
Social media image sizes for music promo
| Size | Pixels | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Story 9:16 | 1080 × 1920 | Instagram and Facebook Stories, Reels covers, TikTok photo posts, YouTube Shorts thumbnails |
| Post 4:5 | 1080 × 1350 | Instagram feed (takes up the most screen), Facebook, Threads |
| Square 1:1 | 1080 × 1080 | Any feed, Bandcamp and SoundCloud posts, WhatsApp status, email newsletters |
| Wide 16:9 | 1920 × 1080 | YouTube community posts and premieres, X, Facebook, Discord announcements |
Leave the edges clear on Stories. Instagram and TikTok cover the top and bottom of a 9:16 image with your profile name and buttons. The Story layouts here keep the title and message in the safe middle area.
A release-week posting plan that works
- Two to three weeks before: a “Pre-save now” card with your pre-save link (DistroKid calls theirs HyperFollow). Pin it.
- Release week, Monday to Thursday: one Countdown card a day in Stories. Short, daily and a bit cheeky beats one big post.
- Release day: “Out now” in every size: feed post, Story, and a wide one for YouTube and X. Update the link in your bio first.
- The week after: repost the Story with any playlist adds, nice comments or a 15-second clip. People are busy; most of your followers missed the first post.
Want every date worked out for you? The release planner builds the whole timeline, from upload day to the Spotify pitch deadline, and adds it to your calendar.
Five design tips (from someone who isn’t a designer)
- Use your real cover, every time. Repetition is the point: the cover is the brand of the release.
- One message per card. “Out Friday” or “Pre-save now”, not both plus three hashtags.
- Short titles read best. If yours is long, the Poster style gives it the most room.
- Pick an accent that pops. “Match my cover” grabs the most vivid colour in your art; override it if it’s too dark.
- Start from a big cover. Stores want 3000×3000 px artwork anyway, and a big image keeps the cards sharp.
Promo cards vs HyperFollow vs Spotify Canvas
These three get mixed up, so here’s what each one does:
| Tool | What it is | Where it lives |
|---|---|---|
| Promo card (this page) | An image announcing the release | Your social posts and Stories |
| Pre-save / smart link (e.g. DistroKid HyperFollow) | One link that opens the song in each fan’s favourite app, and collects pre-saves before release day | Your bio and captions |
| Spotify Canvas | A 3–8 second looping vertical video (9:16) that plays behind your song in the Spotify app | Uploaded in Spotify for Artists after your release is delivered |
If you distribute with DistroKid, its members also get free promo images and a Canvas generator. This tool is for everyone else, and for anyone who wants more control over the look. For a Canvas loop with real motion, prompt one in Vidmuse; my Vidmuse camera movement prompts are a good place to start.
Haven’t released it yet?
The card is the fun part, but the song has to be in the stores first. To get it onto Spotify, Apple Music and the rest you need a distributor. I walk through the whole process in how to release a song on Spotify with DistroKid, and you can start a DistroKid account here (affiliate link: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you). Before you upload, check the master with the LUFS meter.
What happens to your cover art
Nothing leaves your device. The image is read and drawn by your browser, and the PNG is made on the spot. To save you starting again next time, a small copy of your last cover and your text settings are kept in your browser’s local storage. Clear your browser data and they’re gone.
Promo Card Maker FAQ
How do I make a promo image for my new song?
Drop your cover art into a promo card maker like this one, type the artist and song title, choose a message such as Out Friday or Out now, and download the PNG in the sizes you need. It takes about a minute and needs no design skills or account.
What size should a music promo post be on Instagram?
Use 1080 by 1350 pixels (4:5) for feed posts, which fills the most screen, and 1080 by 1920 pixels (9:16) for Stories and Reels covers. 1080 by 1080 square works everywhere as a fallback.
When should I start promoting a new single?
Two to three weeks before release with a pre-save post, then daily countdown Stories in release week, a big Out now push on release day, and follow-up posts the week after. Most followers miss any single post, so repeating the same artwork helps.
Is this the same as DistroKid promo cards?
It does the same job. DistroKid members get free promo images inside DistroKid. This free tool works whichever distributor you use, needs no account, and lets you choose the layout, colour and message.
Can I make a countdown post for my release?
Yes. Choose Countdown, set your release date, and the card shows how many days are left, such as 5 days to go, Out tomorrow or Out now. Download a fresh one each day of release week.
Is my cover art uploaded anywhere?
No. The image is drawn in your browser and never sent to a server. A small copy of your last cover and your text are saved in your own browser so the card is still there next time.
What is the difference between a promo card and Spotify Canvas?
A promo card is a still image you post on social media to announce a release. Spotify Canvas is a 3 to 8 second looping vertical video that plays behind your song inside the Spotify app, uploaded through Spotify for Artists.
Plan the whole release, not just the posts
The free release planner turns your release date into a dated checklist, from upload day to the Spotify pitch deadline, and exports it to your calendar.
Open the release planner →