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collage-maker

A collage maker combines multiple photos into a single composite image using a chosen layout — grid (2x2, 3x3), freeform overlapping, or pre-built templates (story, polaroid, mosaic) — useful for social-media posts, family photo prints, before/after comparisons, and travel recap shots. The ZTools Collage Maker runs entirely in the browser using HTML5 Canvas, supports JPG / PNG / WebP inputs, drag-to-position, drag-to-resize, customisable spacing and background color, and exports the final composition as a single PNG with no server upload.

Use cases​

Combine 4 trip photos into one square collage; pair with 9 standalone photos in the carousel. Combined cover doubles preview impact.

Birthday / anniversary card​

Photo collage of memories printed on a card or share digitally. More personal than a single posed photo.

Before / after grid​

Renovation, transformation, fitness — side-by-side or 4-panel before/middle/after grid. Visual storytelling in one image.

Mood board for design​

Designers / creatives assemble inspiration images into a single collage for client review or self-reference.

How it works​

  1. Pick layout — Grid (2x2, 2x3, 3x3, 4x4), freeform, polaroid, mosaic. Determines slot count and arrangement.
  2. Drop images into slots — Each slot accepts one image; drag from your filesystem. Auto-fits to slot dimensions; click to reposition / zoom inside slot.
  3. Customise spacing + background — Gap between photos (0-50px), background color (white / black / custom), corner rounding.
  4. Resize canvas — Output size: square (1080x1080 for IG), portrait (1080x1350), landscape, or custom.
  5. Export PNG — Canvas exports a single composite PNG; downloads to your device.

Examples​

Input: 4 vacation photos in 2x2 grid, 10px white gaps, 1080x1080

Output: Square IG-ready collage; ~2-4 MB PNG.

Input: Before / after fitness, side-by-side

Output: 2-photo horizontal layout; clear comparison without cropping.

Input: Mood board: 9 reference images, 3x3 grid

Output: Visual portfolio piece; suitable for client meetings or Pinterest.

Frequently asked questions​

How many photos can I combine?

Practically up to 16-20 in a single collage. Beyond that, individual photos become too small to read. For huge sets, use multi-page collage tools.

Are the images uploaded?

No — Canvas processes entirely in the browser. Images and output stay on your device.

Can I add text or stickers?

Basic text overlay supported. For elaborate annotations, export the collage and add text in an image editor.

What about aspect-ratio mismatches?

Tool offers fit (letterbox), fill (crop), or stretch. Fill is most popular for grid layouts; fit for freeform.

Why does the export look slightly different from preview?

Preview rounds dimensions for performance; final export uses exact pixel math. Differences should be minor (1-2px).

Can I save my layout for reuse?

Yes — save as a template; reload to apply same layout to different photos.

Tips​

  • Match aspect ratios within a collage — mismatched aspect ratios with "fit" leave awkward letterbox bars.
  • Use small consistent gaps (5-10px) for clean grids; larger gaps for stylised polaroid-style.
  • Export at the destination's native size (1080x1080 for IG, 1200x630 for Twitter card) — saves quality after their compression.
  • For storytelling, reorder photos chronologically; for visual balance, alternate light/dark or zoom levels.
  • Always inspect the export at 100% — small misalignments visible only at full size.

Try it now​

The full collage-maker runs in your browser at https://ztools.zaions.com/collage-maker — no signup, no upload, no data leaves your device.

Open the tool ↗

Last updated: 2026-05-05 · Author: Ahsan Mahmood · Edit this page on GitHub