PicMonkey users can add video clips to their designs. Upload a MP4 video from your computer or choose from a selection of stock videos directly in PicMonkey. You can also upload a video from your iOS device to Hub using the PicMonkey app.
You can upload GIFs to PicMonkey, as well as export them. GIFs are treated much in the same way as video files are treated in PicMonkey.
Read more: Using Animated GIFs and FAQs
Once you have a video on your canvas, you will be able to rotate, resize, move, and trim the video. You can layer videos in the same way that you can layer photographs and graphics.
Add a video to your canvas
Click to add a video to your canvas from the stock library, or drag and drop to set the video as a background.
You can upload your own video from your computer or via the mobile app. You can also choose a video from our stock library.
Select Photos & Video from the left panel.
Click Add photo or video, or search for a video you'd like to add to your design. Note that when you hover on a video you can preview its motion, and if the video has sound you will hear it.
Click the video to add it to your canvas, or drag and drop if you'd like to make it the background.
The Video Tools menu
When you click your video on the canvas, you can access the Video Tools menu from the left panel. This lets you adjust the fade, blend, and orientation of your video. You can crop the video clip the same way you'd crop a photo (as seen in the above example). Additionally, you can trim your clip by removing frames from the back or front of the clip.
Use the blue handles to remove frames from the front or the back of your video clip.
Use the Erase tool to erase part of your video, and use the Paintbrush to paint parts back on if you remove too much.
Adding graphics and text to your video design
You can add graphics and text to your canvas when designing with video in the exact same manner you would when designing with still images. Your video is a layer which means you can put graphics and/or text over or underneath your video clip. Use the Layers panel on the right side to rearrange your layers (if it's closed, click the three stacked squares icon on the bottom right side of the toolbar).
Exporting and downloading your video file
When you are done designing and want to export your file, go to Download on the top navigation bar and you'll see that "MP4 Video" is pre-selected. Click Download.
If you choose to export as a GIF, we recommend that your clip be no longer than 6-10 seconds, otherwise your file size will be enormous.
Depending on the size of your file, rendering and download could take a few seconds, or a few minutes. You'll receive an email notice when you file is ready, so you can continue designing on other projects or close your editor screen. The email will be sent to whatever registered email address you use to log into your PicMonkey account.
When you receive the "Video is ready" email, just click the Download video to get your file. This link will expire in seven days. Note that your design will remain an editable, multi-layered file in Hub, so you can always re-download it to render a new video file.
PicMonkey Video FAQs
Q: Who can access video?
A: Everyone who has a registered account can upload video, add stock videos, etc. However, users must have at least started a Basic Free Trial to export video. This feature is available to Pro and Basic subscribers.
Q: What file types are supported for upload?
A: MP4s and GIFs are currently supported for upload from desktop.
Q: Can I add videos from my phone?
A: iOS users can upload videos from their phones to Hub using the PicMonkey mobile app.
Q: How large can uploaded video files be?
A: Files can be a maximum of 50mb.
Q: How large can video dimensions be?
A: As long as a video is under 50mb, it can be any dimension and still be uploaded. However, videos will be downsized to HD resolution on export (max size of 1920px on the longest side). So, if you start with a 3000 x 3000px size, the exported size will be 1920 x 1920px.
Q: What file types are supported for download?
A: Videos can be downloaded as MP4s or GIFs; however, if your video is longer than 10 seconds, we recommend downloading your design as an MP4 file.
Q: Can I download my video to my phone from the app?
A: Yes. When finished designing, tap Save, then tap Camera Roll on the bottom toolbar.
Q: Why can’t I add effects and textures or touch up my video?
A: This is not something we currently offer. You can change the blend mode, the opacity, and add graphics, text, and even more videos to your project.
Q: Can I edit multiple video clips together?
A: No. You cannot stitch more than one video clip together in a design.
Q: Can I add multiple videos to one design?
A: Yes. Multiple videos can be added to a single design as separate layers.
Q: My video is taking a long time to download
A: Videos can take quite a bit longer to download than photos because of their complexity. Before your video is ready to be downloaded, it has to be processed and rendered. Once that’s done, it will begin to download. If you don’t want to wait, PicMonkey will send you an email when your video is ready and you can download your finished video directly from there.
If you're having trouble downloading your video, please see: Why is My Video Not Downloading?
Q: My document had a transparent background, but it's black in my download?
A: Video designs cannot contain a transparent background because they are output as MP4 files, and not PNG files. If you don’t want a black background, you can click the background layer and use the Background Tools menu to change the color.
Q: Why can't I download my video as an MP4 from Hub / home?
A: Currently downloading videos from Hub is not available. To download your video, click to open it in the Editor and download from there.
Q: Do you have any templates with video?
A: Yes. Browse video templates in our template library.
Q: Why can’t I share my video to social media from PicMonkey.
A: Sharing videos directly from PicMonkey isn’t currently available. If you’d like to share your videos to social media, please download the video to your computer and then post it to your social media channel of choice. Or, click the download link in the email we send you from your phone to be able to upload to social media straight from your device.
Q: Why can't I add a frame to my design?
A: If you have a video background, frames will be disabled. However, if you convert your video background to a layer, you'll be able to add a frame.
Using video on the PicMonkey mobile app for iOS
All mobile app for iOS users now have the ability to design with video clips and to use video in their designs.
Open the PicMonkey app and choose a video to edit from the home screen (allow access to your phone's camera in order to use your own video).
2. Tap Effects in the bottom editing toolbar to apply an effect. Or use Adjust to modify Exposure, Color, or Contrast. Tap the check mark in the upper right corner to apply any changes.
3. Add text and graphics to your video, or draw on top of your clip.
4. To mute/unmute the volume of your video, tap the volume icon in the bottom toolbar.
5. When you’re finished, tap Save in the upper right corner to export to your phone’s camera roll, to save in Hub, or to share to Instagram. Select More to see more sharing options such as messaging, email, Twitter, Facebook, or to save to an external cloud drive.
What this feature is/does:
Free for all users
Add a video as a background
Add a video as a layer
Background videos can have all of our existing adjustments and filters applied to them
Videos are exported as MP4s
Videos can be uploaded to Hub with a 100mb limit
Muted and unmuted sound
Note this is iOS only for now
What it’s not/doesn't do:
Live photos are not supported
Reverse is not supported
Volume control is not adjustable, but it is on the desktop version
Android versions of the app will not have video capabilities