How to Create Product Hunt Mockups That Get Upvotes

Your Product Hunt gallery is the first thing visitors see. Bad mockups = scroll past. Good mockups = upvotes.

Here's how to create Product Hunt visuals that actually convert.

The Product Hunt Gallery Formula

Product Hunt shows up to 8 gallery images. Here's how to use them:

Image 1: Hero shot

Your best mockup. This is the thumbnail—it needs to stop the scroll.

Image 2-3: Key features

Show your most impressive features in action.

Image 4-5: Use cases

Help visitors picture themselves using your product.

Image 6-7: Social proof or details

Testimonials, stats, or detailed feature breakdowns.

Image 8: CTA or pricing

Close with a clear next step.

Technical Requirements

Product Hunt recommends 1270 x 760 pixels for gallery images.

But here's what actually matters:

• 16:9 aspect ratio (thumbnails crop to this)
• High contrast (stands out in the feed)
• Readable text at small sizes

Export at 2x resolution (2540 x 1520) for crisp display on retina screens.

What Makes a Great Product Hunt Mockup

1. Device Context

Raw screenshots confuse visitors. Is this a mobile app? A website? A desktop tool?

Device frames answer that question instantly:

• Browser frames for web apps
• iPhone/Android frames for mobile apps
• MacBook frames for desktop software

2. Clean Backgrounds

Skip busy backgrounds. They compete with your product.

Best options:

• Solid colors that match your brand
• Subtle gradients (not rainbow explosions)
• Blurred abstract shapes

3. Readable Headlines

If you add text, make sure it's readable at thumbnail size. That means:

• Large, bold fonts
• High contrast colors
• Short phrases (3-5 words max)

4. Consistent Style

Your 8 images should look like a family. Same:

• Color palette
• Device frames
• Text style
• Background treatment

Inconsistency looks amateur.

Common Product Hunt Mockup Mistakes

Too much text

Product Hunt isn't a pitch deck. Let visuals do the work.

Tiny screenshots

If visitors can't see what your product does, they won't upvote.

Generic stock photos

Your product should be the star, not a stock photo of someone at a laptop.

Low resolution

Blurry images signal low-quality product.

No device context

Floating screenshots without frames look unfinished.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Take clean screenshots - Hide bookmarks, use dummy data, remove notifications

2. Pick a color palette - 2-3 colors that match your brand

3. Choose device frames - Match what your product actually runs on

4. Add backgrounds - Subtle gradients or solid colors

5. Write headlines - Short, benefit-focused text (optional)

6. Export at 2x - 2540 x 1520 pixels minimum

7. Review at small size - Check thumbnail readability

Tools for Product Hunt Mockups

You don't need Figma or Photoshop. Dedicated mockup generators are faster:

• Upload screenshot
• Select device frame
• Choose background
• Export

The whole process takes under a minute per image.

Related Reading

• How to Create Product Hunt Launch Visuals - Complete launch visual strategy
• Screenshot Size Guide: Dimensions for Every Platform - Exact dimensions for Product Hunt
• 7 Screenshot Mistakes That Make Your Product Look Amateur - Mistakes to avoid

Frequently Asked Questions

What size should Product Hunt gallery images be?

Product Hunt recommends 1270 x 760 pixels (16:9 ratio). For best quality on retina displays, export at 2x resolution: 2540 x 1520 pixels.

How many images should I include in my Product Hunt gallery?

You can include up to 8 images. Use all 8 to tell a complete story: hero shot, key features, use cases, and a closing CTA.

Should I add text to Product Hunt mockups?

Text is optional but can help communicate value quickly. Keep it short (3-5 words), use large fonts, and ensure it's readable at thumbnail size.

What makes a good Product Hunt thumbnail?

Your first gallery image becomes the thumbnail. Use high contrast, clear product visibility, and avoid tiny text. It needs to stand out in a busy feed.

Conclusion

Your Product Hunt launch gets one chance to make a first impression. Don't waste it on amateur screenshots.

Take the time to create polished mockups. The difference between 50 upvotes and 500 often comes down to presentation.