Creating a yearbook in Google Slides is easier than you think. In fact, you could create a yearbook simply by following the directions on this page; however, I highly recommend that you start with Graphic Design in Google Slides for a more professional look.

Google Slides is a blank canvas. By changing the page size and inserting images and text boxes, we can capture memories for future generations. The price of the yearbook becomes the price of printing it. Click on this link to view a Basic Google Slides Yearbook example.

Prepare Slide for Design

Page Setup (Size)

  1. Click File on the top left.
  2. Scroll down and select Page setup.
  3. Click on the triangle to view additional options.
  4. Select Custom.
  5. Change the dimensions to 8.5 x 11 inches.
  6. Click Apply.

Change the size of your slides

Using an 8.5 x 11-page size will have a white margin trim. Another option is to use the dimensions 8.75 x 11.25 inches (or the size your printing company recommends). Then add guide lines to stay within the 8.5 x 11 margins. The printing company will trim the edges so that the color bleeds. Watch Understanding trim and bleed to learn more.

Knowing how to change a Layout is important when designing the yearbook's theme. Theme includes the color palette, fonts, text placeholders, image placeholders, and layouts. We talked about it in the previous Google Slides Edit theme lesson, and we will talk about theme again in the next lesson. For now, let's practice changing the Title layout to a Blank layout.

Change Layout

  1. Select Layout.
  2. Scroll down and select Blank.

Create a Basic Yearbook

A yearbook has photos, captions, and decorations. We can use tools such as Background color, Google Slides camera, Insert image, Text boxes, Border decorations for images, and Mask images into shapes to create a basic yearbook.

Background Gradient Color

  1. Click Background.
  2. Select Color.
  3. Choose Gradient.
  4. Select a gradient or create a Custom gradient using uigradients.com.
  5. Click Done.

I cannot stress this enough - NEVER use Background Image option! Most likely, the image will become stretched and distorted. Instead, use the Insert image in the Edit theme.

Google Slides Camera

  1. Click on the Insert image icon.
  2. Select Camera.
  3. Take photos. The app displays the last 3 photos taken.
  4. Select the photo of your choice and Insert.
  5. Resize as desired. Suggestion: Use Lock aspect ratio in Format options when resizing the image.

Insert Image from Drive

  1. On the icons bar, select the Image icon.
  2. Click Drive.
  3. Select one or more images.
  4. Click Insert.
Insert yearbook image from drive

Insert Text box

  1. On the icons bar, select the Text box icon.
  2. Click and drag on the slide to create a text box. Then type a caption.
  3. Don't forget to use a contrasting color for the font. The goal is to read the text.

Border Decorations

When you add a border weight, the border has a rounded edge. This decoration edge can be changed.

  1. Select the image.
  2. Click on Format.
  3. Select Borders & lines.
  4. Select Border decorations.
  5. Click on the edge of your choice.
  6. The Milter join has a straight edge like an old-fashioned photo.

Click on each photo below to compare the edges of three border decoration.

Round join
Miter join
Bevel join

Mask images into shapes

The traditional rectangle shape of an image can be masked into a shape such as a rounded rectangle, oval, cloud, and more.

  1. Select the image.
  2. Look for the crop icon and select the arrow next to it.
  3. Select one of the four types of masks and then a mask of your choice.

Mask an image in Google Slides

Additional Skills

If necessary, review

YouTube Videos

Style Guide

A professional-looking yearbook requires consistency. Create a Style Guide with your students.

Read More

Updated December 30, 2022.