Today I decided to update my Twitter background and logged my steps so I can share.
I used Photoshop Elements
1. First, I had to decide what size to create my background. I did a little bit of research on the web, and learned that most internet searchers use a resolution equal or greater than 1024×768, so i used that as my guide.
2. I created a new image with those dimensions, and made it look like the background of my site, which is a light gray checkered image. Here is what my images looked like at this point:
3. Next, I created another image sized at 550×125 pixels where I added the URL of my site. I used the same blue background my website header has, and white letters, since I want my Twitter background to have the same theme as my site. I needed to try several sizes for this step, and eventually came up with the above sizes (some were too wide, some were too long, etc.).
Here is this image:
4. My next step was to add this smaller image to my initial image. I selected the image, copied and pasted it into my first image. I then had to rotate it 90 degrees to the left, so that instead of horizontal, my image now was vertical. I dragged the image to the left of the original image, and here is how my final twitter background image looks:
5. Next, I needed to upload my new twitter background image to Twitter: Click on the “Settings” link at the top of your twitter page.
6. Then, click on the “Design” link:
7. Scroll all the way down, and you’ll see this:
To upload your image, click on the “Change background image”, and you’ll see this:
8. Click on Browse, locate your image, and then click on “Save Changes”
You are all done with your twitter background. But you still need to change the look of your links, so that the colors match. Here is how you do that: Go back to step 7, but instead of clicking on “Change background image” click on “Change design colors”, and you’ll see this:
Click on each one of those squares, and modify the color, so that it matches your background image and/or your site. For example, I used yellow for my sidebar and red for my sidebar border, so that it ties in with the newsletter sign up on my blog.
Wasn’t that easy? Let me know if you have any questions.