You can create a Snapchat filter using Snapchat's built-in tools without design experience

Snapchat filters are the overlays and effects that appear on top of photos and videos in the app. You can make one yourself using Snapchat's Lens Studio software, which is free to download. The process takes between 30 minutes and a few hours depending on how detailed you want your filter to be, and you do not need to know how to code or design professionally.

There are two types of filters you can create: community filters, which anyone can use in a specific location, and custom filters, which only people you invite can use (these are often used for events like weddings or parties). Both use the same creation tool, but they have different submission processes and reach different audiences.

Key Takeaways

  • Download Lens Studio from Snapchat's website, create a free account, and start with a template to avoid building from scratch.
  • Community filters must cover a specific geographic area and follow Snapchat's content rules, which ban offensive material and brand logos.
  • Custom filters can be anything you want and are shared only with people you choose, making them ideal for events.
  • Test your filter on your phone before submitting it, because what looks right on your computer screen may look wrong when you view it through the camera.
  • Community filters take 24 to 48 hours to review, while custom filters are usually live within minutes of creation.

Download Lens Studio and pick a starting template

Go to snapchat.com/download and select Lens Studio for your computer (Windows or Mac). Install it like any other program. Open Lens Studio and create a free Snapchat account if you do not already have one, or sign in with your existing account.

When you open Lens Studio for the first time, you will see a library of templates. Templates are pre-built filters that you can edit instead of creating one from nothing. Choose one that matches what you want to make — for example, if you want text overlaid on a photo, search for "text" or "caption." If you want animated effects, search for "animation." Starting with a template saves hours of work and is the fastest way to get a working filter.

Click on any template to preview it, then click "Create" to open it in the editor. The template will load with all its parts already in place, and you can now change the colors, text, images, and effects to match your vision.

Customize the template to match your design

The Lens Studio editor has three main areas: the canvas in the center (where you see what the filter looks like), the scene panel on the left (where you see all the parts of your filter listed), and the inspector panel on the right (where you change the settings of each part).

To change something, click on it in the scene panel on the left. For example, if you want to change the text, click "Text" in the left panel. In the right panel, you will see a field where you can type new words. If you want to change the color, click the color box in the right panel and pick a new one. If you want to add your own image, click the image element in the left panel, then in the right panel click the folder icon and upload a file from your computer.

Make changes one piece at a time and watch the canvas in the center to see how it looks. Do not worry about getting it perfect on the first try — you can undo any change by pressing Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac). Most templates have only three to five elements to change, so the customization process is straightforward even if you have never used design software before.

Test your filter on your phone before you submit

Once your filter looks the way you want it on the computer screen, you need to test it on your actual phone. This is the most important step that people skip, and it is why filters sometimes look wrong when you use them. The camera on your phone sees things differently than your computer monitor does, and effects that look good on screen can look stretched, blurry, or off-center when you view them through the camera.

To test on your phone, go to the top menu in Lens Studio and click "Preview" or "Send to Device." Snapchat will give you a code to scan with your phone camera. Open Snapchat on your phone, point your camera at the code, and your filter will load. Try it on your face, try it on objects, try it in different lighting. If something looks wrong, go back to Lens Studio, make the change, and test again.

This back-and-forth testing usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, but it prevents you from submitting a filter that does not work the way you intended. Once you are satisfied, you are ready to submit.

Submit a community filter for a specific location

Community filters appear for all Snapchat users in a specific geographic area for a set amount of time. They are free to create and submit, but Snapchat reviews them before they go live, and they must follow content rules: no offensive language, no brand logos, no real people's faces, and no claims that the filter is "official" or made by Snapchat.

To submit a community filter, go to the top menu in Lens Studio and click "Submit." Select "Community Filter" from the dropdown. You will need to enter the location (a city, neighborhood, or landmark), the dates you want the filter to be live, and a title. Snapchat will ask you to confirm that your filter does not violate their content rules. Click submit, and Snapchat will review it within 24 to 48 hours. You will get an email when it is approved or if they reject it and why.

Community filters are good for promoting a local business, a neighborhood event, or a city-wide celebration. They reach a large audience but you have no control over who uses them.

Create a custom filter for an event or group

Custom filters are private — only people you send the link to can use them. They do not go through Snapchat's review process, so they go live immediately. You can make them as silly, branded, or specific as you want because only your invited audience will see them.

To create a custom filter, go to the top menu in Lens Studio and click "Submit." Select "Custom Filter" from the dropdown. Snapchat will ask you to choose a date range for when the filter is active. You can set it to be live for one day (for a party) or several weeks (for a marketing campaign). You will also choose a location — this can be as broad as a city or as narrow as a single address.

Once you submit, Snapchat will generate a link. Share that link with the people you want to use the filter. When they click the link on their phone, the filter will be added to their Snapchat camera. Custom filters are ideal for weddings, birthday parties, company events, or product launches where you want a branded experience for a specific group.

Common mistakes to avoid when building your filter

The most common mistake is making text too small. Text that looks readable on your computer screen will be tiny and unreadable when someone uses the filter on their phone. Make text at least twice as large as you think it needs to be, then test it on your phone before submitting.

The second mistake is using images with transparent backgrounds that do not work well with the camera. If you upload a PNG file with a transparent background, it may look fine in Lens Studio but appear with a white box around it on your phone. Test any images you add before you submit.

The third mistake is forgetting that the camera is a mirror. If you add text or an image that points in a specific direction, remember that it will be flipped when someone uses the filter. Test this on your phone to make sure it looks right.

The fourth mistake is submitting a community filter that violates Snapchat's rules. Do not include brand logos, real people's faces, or language that Snapchat considers offensive. If your filter is rejected, Snapchat will tell you why, and you can fix it and resubmit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay to create or submit a filter?

No. Lens Studio is free to download, and submitting both community and custom filters is free. Snapchat does not charge for filter creation or submission.

How long does a community filter stay live?

You choose the dates when you submit. Most community filters run for one week to one month, but you can set them for any date range you want. Once the end date passes, the filter disappears from that location.

Can I edit a filter after I submit it?

For custom filters, yes — you can make changes and resubmit before the end date. For community filters, you cannot edit after submission, but you can submit a new version with a different name if Snapchat approved the first one.

What if my filter gets rejected?

Snapchat will send you an email explaining why. Common reasons are offensive content, brand logos, or real people's faces. Fix the issue in Lens Studio and resubmit. Most filters are approved on the second try.

Can other people use my custom filter if I share the link?

Yes. Anyone who clicks the link can add the filter to their camera, and they can use it as many times as they want during the active date range. The filter is not exclusive to one person — it is exclusive to the group you share the link with.