How to Pick a Template That Actually Matches Your Song
So you're making a lyrics poster and you've got like 50 templates to choose from.
They all look good. How do you pick?
Here's the thing - there's no "right" template. But there are templates that fit your specific song better than others.
Match Energy Levels
This is the most important rule.
High energy song? Pick a bold template with strong colors or dynamic design
Slow romantic ballad? Go with something soft and minimal
Chill indie vibe? Clean, simple, lots of white space
Classic rock? Vintage or bold typography
The template's energy should match the song's energy. That's it. That's the rule.
Think About the Era
When was this song released? The template can reflect that.
1950s-60s: Retro fonts, vintage colors, classic layouts
1970s-80s: Bold colors, geometric shapes, vinyl-style designs
1990s-2000s: Grunge textures, alternative vibes, CD-era aesthetics
2010s-now: Clean minimal, modern sans-serif fonts, Instagram-ready
Or ignore the era entirely and go modern with everything. Both work.
Color Should Mean Something
Don't just pick a color because it's pretty.
Match the album art - Pull colors from the official album cover
Match a mood - Blue for sad songs, red for passionate ones, etc.
Match your room - If it's going on a specific wall, coordinate with that space
Match a photo - If you're doing a wedding photo lyrics thing, pull colors from the photo
Random colors work too, but intentional colors work better.
Font Personality Matters
Fonts have personalities. Match them to the song.
Serif fonts (like Times): Classic, elegant, timeless
- Good for: Old standards, classical music, formal occasions
Sans-serif fonts (like Arial): Modern, clean, straightforward
- Good for: Contemporary songs, minimal vibes, clear messaging
Script/handwritten fonts: Personal, romantic, artistic
- Good for: Love songs, personal messages, softer vibes
Bold display fonts: Strong, attention-grabbing, loud
- Good for: Rock, hip-hop, anything with attitude
Most templates have already picked good fonts. Trust the designer's choice unless it really doesn't fit.
Occasion Matters More Than Song
Sometimes the template should match why you're making it, not just what song it is.
Wedding gift - elegant template even if the song is upbeat
Birthday - fun template even if the song is chill
Memorial - respectful template regardless of song genre
Just for you - whatever you want
The purpose can override the song's natural vibe. That's fine.
Simple vs. Decorative
Go simple when:
- The lyrics are powerful on their own
- You want it to blend with other decor
- You're giving it to someone with minimal taste
- You're not sure what else to do
Go decorative when:
- The song is fun and playful
- You want it to be a statement piece
- You know the recipient loves bold design
- You're confident in your choice
When in doubt, simple is safer. You can always add more, but you can't really subtract from a busy template.
Look at the Lyrics Length
Different templates work better with different amounts of text.
One-line lyrics - Need a template that works with minimal text, lots of white space
Full chorus - Need something that can handle a paragraph of text clearly
Multiple sections - Need clear layout with good hierarchy
Don't try to cram too much text into a minimal template. Don't waste a big template on three words.
Check the preview. Can you actually read it?
Black and White vs. Color
Black and white works when:
- You want it to match any room
- The lyrics should be the focus
- You're going for timeless over trendy
- You're making multiple posters and want consistency
Color works when:
- You want it to pop
- The song has a strong mood or feeling
- You're matching specific decor
- You just like color (valid reason)
Neither is better. Just different.
Horizontal vs. Vertical
Vertical (portrait) fits better:
- Above furniture
- In narrow spaces
- For longer sections of lyrics
- Traditional wall art spots
Horizontal (landscape) fits better:
- Above beds or couches
- In wide spaces
- For shorter punchy lyrics
- Modern gallery walls
Square fits better:
- Instagram and social sharing
- Modern minimalist vibes
- Gallery walls with mixed sizes
- When you genuinely can't decide
Pick based on where it's going, not just what looks cool.
Check the Mood, Not Just the Genre
Two country songs can have totally different moods. Same with two rock songs.
Don't pick a template based on genre. Pick based on mood.
Joyful song = bright, energetic template Melancholy song = muted, simple template Aggressive song = bold, strong template Romantic song = soft, elegant template
The feeling matters more than the category.
Test It With Your Actual Lyrics
Most poster makers let you preview.
Type in your actual song lyrics. See how it looks.
A template that looked great empty might not work with your specific words. Or it might look even better.
Don't commit until you see the real preview.
When You're Making Multiple Posters
Doing a gallery wall or set of posters?
Option 1: Same template, different songs - Very cohesive
Option 2: Same style, different templates - Coordinated but varied
Option 3: Completely different - Only works if you're very intentional
For most people, same template or same style family is the way to go.
Consider Your Printer
Some templates have subtle gradients or textures that look great professionally printed but weird on a home printer.
If you're printing at home, go with templates that have:
- Solid colors
- Clear text
- High contrast
- Simple designs
Save the fancy stuff for professional printing.
The Three-Second Rule
Look at the template for three seconds then look away.
What do you remember? The design or the lyrics?
If you remember the design - Might be too busy
If you remember the lyrics - Probably a good fit
The template should enhance the words, not compete with them.
Don't Overthink the Trendy vs. Timeless Thing
People stress about whether a design will "age well."
Honestly? If you like it now, use it now. You can always make a new poster in five years if your taste changes.
Trends are fine. Timeless is fine. Just pick what you actually like.
Ask Someone Else
Show two favorites to a friend.
"Which one feels more like this song to you?"
Sometimes an outside perspective helps when you're stuck.
The Elimination Method
If you've narrowed it down to 3-5 finalists:
- Remove the one you like least
- Repeat until one remains
- That's your template
Easier than trying to pick the "best" one.
When Nothing Feels Right
Can't find a template that fits?
Option 1: Go completely minimal - just text, no fancy design
Option 2: Look for different template categories
Option 3: Start with a blank template and customize
Sometimes the best template is the simplest one.
Trust Your First Instinct
Which template did you notice first? Which one made you go "oh that's nice"?
That's probably the one.
Second-guessing yourself leads to analysis paralysis. Trust your gut.
The Bottom Line
Pick a template that:
- Matches the song's energy
- Works with your lyrics length
- Fits where you'll hang it
- You actually like looking at
That's it. Four criteria. Not that complicated.
Stop stressing. Pick one. Make the poster. You can always make another version later if you change your mind.
Browse our full collection of music poster templates or create something custom with our poster maker.