Note :: This post was updated on 08.10.13.

Is it killing you that your hi-res photo is STILL looking fuzzy on your Facebook page?!! I know how you feel. When I figured out how to fix it I was pretty excited...

In this quick tutorial, I'll explain how to make your own CUSTOM Facebook Cover Photo using Photoshop CS6. (If you don't have Photoshop but have other photo editing software, you can still prep your cover photo by cropping to the right dimensions and saving it at the right size.)

First, create a new document. The dimensions should be 851 pixels by 315 pixels. (I always keep my resolution at 300ppi and the background transparent.) Feel free to download the .jpg below to use as a template.

Facebook Cover Photo Template

The striped box indicates where your Profile Pic will reside once you upload your cover photo to Facebook. (Facebook has updated the layout a few times since rolling out the timeline, so be sure to double check the Profile Pic placement before finalizing your file.)

Next, place your photo or design on the document. (Either go to File > Place, or copy and paste your design/photo from another program. With the correct layer highlighted, use Control + T to change the size or move the design or photo. If you change the size, be sure to hold down the Shift key when moving the corner anchors to keep your image proportional.)

akulakreative_FacebookCoverPhoto_Tutorial_2

If you're Photoshop-savvy, be creative with the layout and add some fun "interactive elements"...maybe a bold border around the Profile Pic or a graphic that plays inside the space.

Now save your document. Go to File > Save for Web & Devices. Save as a .jpg.

akulakreative_FacebookCoverPhoto_Tutorial_3

Here's the KEY step: After choosing JPEG, change the quality using the slider in the upper right corner until your image size is as close to 100K as possible (but still under 100K). 100 kilobytes is the "magic number" when it comes to finding the best balance between image quality and fast loading. In this example, I kept my image at 99.51K. Also, be sure to check the box next to "Convert to sRGB."