Linkedin Carousel Builder

LinkedIn Carousel Builder

Create high-performing LinkedIn carousel PDFs that are branded, mobile-optimized, and designed for maximum engagement.

Workflow

Phase 1: Research & Strategy

Before building any carousel, research current best practices:

1. Topic validation: Confirm the topic has engagement potential on LinkedIn
2. Hook research: Study what carousel hooks are performing well right now
3. Competitor scan: Look at top-performing carousels in the same niche
4. Slide count: Determine optimal slide count (8-15 for max engagement, 5-7 for quick takes)

Phase 2: Content Architecture

Structure the carousel for completion rate (LinkedIn rewards 60%+ completion):

Slide Framework:

Content rules:

• Each carousel must be self-explanatory — a reader should understand the full story without any external context or the accompanying post text
• Every slide must contain a real insight, not filler. Data points, lessons, or actionable takeaways on every slide
• One idea per slide
• 25-40 words per slide maximum
• No walls of text — use visual hierarchy
• Every slide must earn the swipe to the next one
• Tease next slide content to drive completion

Visual clarity rules:

• Font sizes must be large enough to invite reading, not strain the eyes (see typography table below)
• High contrast between text and background at all times — never use light text on light backgrounds or dark text on dark backgrounds
• Color palette should be clean and consistent — use brand accents to highlight, not overwhelm
• Layout should feel spacious, not cramped. Generous whitespace > more content
• Visually attractive design that makes people want to swipe — think magazine quality, not PowerPoint

Phase 3: Design & Build

Build as a single HTML file with inline CSS for Playwright export.

LinkedIn Document Specs (4:5 Portrait)

Width:  1080px
Height: 1350px
Format: PDF export via Playwright

LinkedIn Safe Zones (CRITICAL)

LinkedIn's document viewer overlays controls that crop content. ALL content must stay inside these safe zones:

┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│         TOP CROP ZONE           │  80px — no content here
│─────────────────────────────────│
│  ┌───────────────────────────┐  │
│  │                           │  │
│  │      SAFE CONTENT ZONE    │  │  80px side margins
│  │                           │  │
│  │      920px x 1130px       │  │
│  │                           │  │
│  └───────────────────────────┘  │
│─────────────────────────────────│
│       BOTTOM CROP ZONE          │  140px — page counter overlay
└─────────────────────────────────┘

• Top padding: 80px minimum (viewer clips top)
• Side padding: 80px minimum (viewer clips edges)
• Bottom clearance: 140px minimum (page counter + navigation arrows overlay)
• No progress bars: LinkedIn crops them — remove entirely
• Footer (logo + URL): Must sit at margin-bottom: 140px or higher

CSS Baseline

.slide {
  width: 1080px;
  height: 1350px;
  overflow: hidden;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
}

/* Footer sits above LinkedIn's 140px overlay */
.slide-footer {
  margin-top: auto;
  margin-bottom: 140px;
  padding: 18px 80px 0;
}

/* Swipe teaser — inline, not absolute positioned */
.swipe-teaser {
  text-align: center;
  margin-top: 12px;
  margin-bottom: 0;
}

@media print {
  body { background: white; gap: 0; padding: 0; }
  .slide { page-break-after: always; box-shadow: none; }
}

Typography for Mobile Readability

LinkedIn renders 1080px slides at ~350px on mobile. Minimum sizes:

Brand Application

Always apply Solum Health brand guidelines (see solum-health-brand skill):

• Font: DM Sans (400, 500, 700)
• Primary: Navy #011C40, Solum Blue #468AF7
• Accents: Teal #70D3C6, Purple #A16CF4
• Footer: SolumHealth logo + getsolum.com on every slide

Phase 4: Visual Validation

MANDATORY: Before exporting the final PDF, run design validation:

1. Screenshot each slide using Playwright
2. Check safe zones: Verify no content in top 80px, bottom 140px, or within 80px of sides
3. Mobile readability test: All text must be legible at 1/3 scale
4. Color contrast: Ensure text passes WCAG AA contrast on its background
5. Consistency check: All slides same dimensions, same footer placement, same brand treatment
6. No overlapping: Swipe teasers must be inline (not absolute positioned), never overlap content
7. No clipping: All text fully visible, no letters cut off at edges

Phase 5: Export & Deliver

1. Export PDF via Playwright at exactly 1080x1350px with printBackground: true and zero margins
2. Verify PDF dimensions: Confirm all pages are 1080x1350
3. Save to campaign folder: social-media/posts/linkedin/{campaign-name}/
4. Only deliver PDF: No PNGs needed unless specifically requested
5. Suggest document title: Make it engaging/viral (this shows in LinkedIn feed)
6. Suggest post copy: Write accompanying LinkedIn post text following writing-linkedin-posts skill guidelines

Phase 6: Post-Upload Check

If the user shares a screenshot from LinkedIn after uploading:

• Check if content is getting cropped at top/bottom
• Check if slides display at correct aspect ratio
• Suggest adjustments if LinkedIn's viewer is cutting content

Engagement Best Practices

Hook Patterns That Drive Swipes

• Surprising stat: "$835M for a company that was worth $0.52"
• Contrarian take: "Everyone is wrong about [topic]"
• Before/after: Show transformation with data
• Curiosity gap: Promise a reveal in the slides
• Breaking news: Time-sensitive industry events

Visual Patterns That Perform

• Dark slides for data — Navy backgrounds make numbers pop
• Light slides for text — White backgrounds for readability
• Alternating dark/light — Creates visual rhythm, prevents fatigue
• One big number per slide — Scannable at mobile size
• Real photos > stock — Authenticity drives engagement
• Brand color accents — Consistent but not overwhelming

Completion Rate Tactics

• Tease next slide: "Next: The one pivot that changed everything"
• Build narrative tension: Each slide should leave a question
• Save the best insight for slide 3-4: Hook them past the drop-off point
• End with a question: Drives comments, which drives reach
• Keep it to 5-10 slides: Completion drops sharply after 10

Output Checklist

Before delivering the carousel, verify:

• All slides exactly 1080x1350px
• Content within safe zones (80px top, 80px sides, 140px bottom)
• Text readable at mobile size (min 20px body, 40px+ headlines)
• Solum Health branding on every slide (logo + URL in footer)
• No absolute-positioned elements that could overlap
• Swipe teasers visible and not overlapping content
• PDF exported with printBackground: true
• Campaign folder created with descriptive name
• Engaging document title suggested
• Post copy drafted