Key takeaways
- Choose the final use case before choosing a layout or aspect ratio.
- Side-by-side layouts work best when both images have comparable visual weight.
- Use crop position and zoom to protect faces, labels, and important details.
- Keep spacing and corner radius restrained when the images need to be compared.
Start with the viewing context
A collage for an Instagram Story needs a different shape from a before-and-after comparison in a report. Decide where the finished image will appear before arranging photos. This determines whether square, portrait, story, landscape, or automatic dimensions will work best.
Choose a layout that matches the relationship
Place two photos side by side when viewers should compare them directly. Stack photos vertically when reading order matters or when stitching screenshots. Use a balanced grid for collections where no single image should dominate.
Order creates meaning
Viewers normally scan from left to right and top to bottom. Put the original before the result, the earlier moment before the later moment, or the first step before the next step. Dragging photos into the right order makes the composition easier to understand without labels.
Crop each photo deliberately
Different source ratios rarely fit a shared layout perfectly. Automatic cropping may remove faces, products, or text. Select each image, drag it inside the frame, and adjust zoom until the important content remains visible.
Balance visual weight
A bright close-up can overpower a darker wide shot even when both frames are the same size. Adjust crop and scale so the subjects feel intentional together. For comparisons, keep subject size and position as consistent as possible.
Use spacing as structure
Small gaps help separate photos without making the collage feel fragmented. Larger gaps and colored backgrounds can create a scrapbook style, but they reduce the space available for the images. For screenshot stitching or direct comparisons, minimal spacing is usually clearer.
Select the right export format
JPG is practical for photo-heavy collages. PNG is better when screenshots, interface text, or transparency need sharper edges. WEBP is useful for websites where smaller delivery size matters.
Common collage mistakes
Common problems include using the wrong canvas ratio, leaving important subjects near crop edges, mixing random spacing, placing images in an unclear order, and exporting a very large file when the destination only needs a social-sized image.
How ImgLab fits the workflow
ImgLab Collage Maker combines up to 20 photos locally in the browser. Choose a layout and ratio, reorder photos, adjust individual crops, set spacing and background, then export one final JPG, PNG, or WEBP image.
Recommended workflow
- Choose the destination: comparison, story, post, presentation, or screenshot archive.
- Add the photos in the order viewers should read them.
- Select side-by-side, vertical, or grid layout based on the content.
- Choose an aspect ratio that fits the destination.
- Adjust each photo's crop position and zoom.
- Review spacing, background, and export format before downloading.
Frequently asked questions
How do I put two pictures side by side?
Add both photos to Collage Maker, choose the Side by side layout, adjust each crop, and export the combined image.
What aspect ratio is best for a before-and-after collage?
Landscape works well for horizontal comparisons, while portrait or story ratios are better for mobile-first sharing.
How can I combine screenshots vertically?
Choose a vertical layout and an automatic or portrait canvas so the screenshots remain readable in one long image.
Should a collage be exported as JPG, PNG, or WEBP?
Use JPG for ordinary photo collages, PNG for screenshots and sharp text, and WEBP for efficient web publishing.