Ad Creative
Usage
Use when producing ad images from brainstormed concepts, creating multiple ad variations for A/B testing, or iterating on ad designs (new headline, different screenshot, color change).
Process
Step 1: Gather Inputs
Ask the user for:
- Headline text — the main text on the ad image
- Brand colors (optional) — primary color, background color, text color (hex values). If not provided, defaults: background
#0f172a, text#ffffff, accent#3b82f6 - Font (optional) — font family (default: system sans-serif stack)
- Logo URL (optional) — if brand guidelines require it
- Product image (optional, required for product-image and branded styles) — path to a screenshot, UI image, or visual asset
- Style — cookie-cutter / ugly / meme / branded / native (default: cookie-cutter)
- Dimensions — width x height in pixels. Common presets:
- square: 1200x1200px (social feeds) - landscape: 1440x1000px (Reddit/display) - Or custom dimensions
- Platform — which platform the ad is for (affects dimension defaults and template tweaks)
- Ad concept from ad-angles (optional) — full concept block with headline, style, and image suggestion
Step 1b: Select or Refine the Headline
If no headline is provided, or the headline needs strengthening, use the Hook Formula Bank:
5 Qualities of an Irresistible Headline:
- Clear, not clever — Reader immediately knows what it's about
- Makes a PROMISE — Not just "about X" but "here's what changes"
- Specific — Concrete numbers, outcomes, audiences
- Takes a stance — Polarizing headlines make the right reader say "that's me"
- Teases without revealing — The Curiosity Gap
Quick Headline Formulas:
[Number] [Things] [Audience] should [know/avoid/use]How to [Outcome] without [Pain Point]Still [Painful Activity]? There's a better way.[Competitor], but [Differentiator]The [Number]-step [System] for [Outcome]
Headline Length Rules (for ad images):
- Short headlines (< 40 chars) have the highest impact. Aim here.
- If the headline needs explanation, it's too complex for an ad image.
Step 1c: Direct Response Checklist
Before building the HTML, verify the concept passes:
- Single message — The ad communicates ONE idea
- Headline is benefit-oriented — States what the prospect gets
- Visual matches the headline — Product screenshot reinforces the claim
- CTA is clear — Viewer knows what action to take
- No competing elements — No decorative graphics fighting for attention
- Mobile-readable — Headline text is legible at 50% zoom
- Emotional resonance — Activates at least one emotional trigger
Step 2: Build the HTML
Create a self-contained HTML file using the selected template.
Cookie-Cutter Template — headline + product image + clean background:
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ HEADLINE TEXT │
│ (large, bold) │
│ │
│ ┌─────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Product Image │ │
│ │ (with shadow) │ │
│ └─────────────────────┘ │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────┘Design rules:
- Headline: Large, bold, high contrast. Max 2 lines.
- Product image: Centered, subtle drop shadow, ~60% canvas width.
- Background: Solid color or subtle gradient using brand colors.
- No logos, decorative elements, or extra text. Minimal by design.
Headline font size: < 40 chars → 64px, 40-70 chars → 52px, > 70 chars → 42px.
Ugly Ads Template — text-heavy, high-contrast, deliberately unpolished:
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ HEADLINE TEXT │
│ (very large, bold, │
│ fills top 60%) │
│ │
│ Optional: $PRICE │
│ Optional: subtext/CTA │
└─────────────────────────────┘Design rules:
- Square format (1200x1200px) default
- Text fills the top 60% of the canvas
- No product images — text IS the creative
- Bold, heavy font weights (700-900)
- Deliberately unpolished: no gradients, shadows, rounded corners
High-contrast color combos:
| Combo | Background | Text | Accent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black/Yellow | #000000 | #FFD700 | #FFFFFF |
| Red/White | #CC0000 | #FFFFFF | #FFD700 |
| Blue/White | #003366 | #FFFFFF | #FFD700 |
| White/Black | #FFFFFF | #000000 | #CC0000 |
| Yellow/Black | #FFD700 | #000000 | #CC0000 |
Headline font size: < 30 chars → 96px, 30-60 chars → 72px, > 60 chars → 56px.
Meme Template — meme format for attention + benefit:
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ TOP TEXT (setup) │
│ ┌─────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Meme Image │ │
│ └─────────────────────┘ │
│ BOTTOM TEXT (punchline) │
└─────────────────────────────┘Design rules:
- Use recognizable meme templates (Drake, Expanding Brain, etc.)
- Top text = setup (problem or old way), Bottom text = punchline (product or new way)
- Keep text short — memes with walls of text lose the format's power
- Square format (1200x1200) works best
Branded Template — professional with stats, product image, social proof:
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ HEADLINE TEXT │
│ STAT | STAT | STAT │
│ ┌─────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Product Image │ │
│ └─────────────────────┘ │
│ Social proof line │
└─────────────────────────────┘Design rules:
- Use the brand's actual colors
- Stats in accent color with muted labels
- Product image with shadow, centered
- Social proof line at the bottom (client names, G2 rating, etc.)
Native Template — looks like an organic social post:
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ Platform · Promoted │
│ HEADLINE TEXT │
│ Body text (reads like │
│ a real post) │
│ ┌─────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Product Image │ │
│ └─────────────────────┘ │
│ 142 upvotes · 38 comments │
└─────────────────────────────┘Design rules:
- Light background (
#f8fafcor white) - System font stack, normal weights
- Body text reads like a genuine post, not a marketing headline
- Fake engagement metrics at bottom
Step 3: Save the HTML File
Write the HTML file. Name it descriptively: ad-{slug}.html where {slug} is a kebab-cased version of the headline (truncated to 40 chars).
Step 4: Screenshot with Playwright MCP (if available)
If Playwright MCP is configured:
- Set viewport to the exact dimensions using
browser_resize - Navigate to the HTML file using a
file://URL - Screenshot the viewport
- Save the screenshot as PNG
Playwright MCP must be configured with --allow-unrestricted-file-access and --browser chromium flags.
If Playwright MCP is not available, present the HTML file and tell the user they can open it in a browser and screenshot manually, or configure Playwright MCP for automated capture.
Step 5: Verify, Present, and Iterate
Present results to the user with:
- The image preview for each ad (if screenshots were captured)
- A summary table showing all rendered ads
- File paths to both the PNG and HTML files
Ask the user if they want to iterate:
- Change a headline → update the HTML and re-screenshot
- Change colors or style → rebuild from a different template
- Change the product image → capture a new screenshot and rebuild
- Change dimensions → re-screenshot at new viewport size
Do not consider the batch complete until the user confirms they're happy.
Output Format
# Ad Creative Output
**Date:** [current date]
**Ads Produced:** [count]
**Dimensions:** [width]x[height]px
---
## Ad 1: [Concept name]
**Headline:** [headline text]
**Style:** [branded/product/meme/ugly/native]
**Files:**
- HTML: [path]
- PNG: [path] (if Playwright available)
[Image preview if available]
---
## Upload Checklist
- [ ] Images are correct dimensions
- [ ] File size under 3MB per image
- [ ] Format is PNG or JPG
- [ ] Headlines are readable on mobile (test at 50% zoom)
- [ ] Brand colors match landing pageRules
- The cookie-cutter template is intentionally minimal. Resist the urge to add decorative elements. Simplicity converts.
- Product images should be real screenshots, not mockups or stock photos.
- If the product image has a white background, use a dark ad background (and vice versa) for contrast.
- PNG is preferred for sharp text and UI screenshots.
- The HTML file is kept so the user can tweak copy, colors, or images manually and re-screenshot.
- Visual consistency between ad and landing page reduces drop-off. Use the same colors, fonts, and design system.