Quick answer: photo areas are always rectangles, so the circle comes from your design. Make a PNG overlay with a transparent circle, add a photo area a little bigger than the circle, and move the photo area below the overlay in the layers list. The overlay hides the corners, so the photo looks round.
This works the same way for rounded corners, scallops or any other shape. For a tour of the editor, see How to: Template & Attract Screen Editor.
How do I make a circular photo area?
In your design tool (for example Canva or Photoshop), design your template with a transparent circle where the photo should show.
Export it as a PNG. JPG files cannot hold transparency.
Upload the PNG into your Booth.Events template.
Add a photo area and size it so it covers the whole circle, with a little extra on every side.
In the layers list on the left, drag the six-dot icon on the photo area layer to move it below your PNG overlay. It should still sit above any background layers.
Overlay on top, photo area in the middle, background at the bottom.
💡 Tip: if the photo area is hidden behind the overlay and hard to grab, drag it to the top of the layers list, resize it, then drag it back down.
How do I position it exactly?
Drag the photo area on the canvas to roughly line it up with the circle.
On a computer, use the arrow keys to nudge it into place.
For exact placement, open the photo area layer in the left pane and type in its x and y position (and w and h for its size).
Cover the whole circle so no gaps show.
How do I check it before the event?
Test the template with a few sample photos and check the photo fills the circle with no gaps.
Change the template background colour in the editor. If the circle still shows white, your PNG does not have a true transparent area.
⚠️ Important: AI image tools such as ChatGPT often draw a grey and white checkerboard that only looks transparent. It is part of the image and will cover the photo. Remove the background properly in a design tool (Canva has a background remover) and export again as PNG.
💡 Tip: keep the design around the circle simple so the focus stays on the photo.
Common questions
Does this work for other shapes?
Does this work for other shapes?
Yes. The same method works for rounded corners, scallops or any custom shape. Photo areas are always rectangles, so the shape comes from the transparent window in your overlay.
My photo is hidden behind the overlay. What is wrong?
My photo is hidden behind the overlay. What is wrong?
Either the photo area is above the wrong layer, or the window in your overlay is not truly transparent. Move the photo area below the overlay, and make sure the window is a transparent area in a PNG file.
How big should the photo area be?
How big should the photo area be?
Slightly bigger than the transparent circle, so the overlay covers the edges and no gaps show.
How do I move the photo area below the overlay?
How do I move the photo area below the overlay?
In the layers list on the left, click and drag the six-dot icon on the photo area layer down below your overlay layer.
More answers: Template editor: common questions.
Still stuck? Message us in chat with your device, camera and event name, and a screenshot if you can. See How to Contact Booth.Events Support.