Step By Step Guide To Purchasing A Custom Snapchat Filter For Your Event Or Business

Custom Snapchat filters are no longer just for weddings or birthday parties. Businesses, brands, and event planners are increasingly using geofilters to boost engagement, increase visibility, and create shareable moments. Whether you're hosting a product launch, a pop-up shop, or a corporate retreat, a well-designed Snapchat filter can turn attendees into brand advocates. The process is simpler than most people think, but knowing the right steps ensures you get the best value and impact.

Understanding Snapchat Filters: What They Are and Why They Work

Snapchat filters, officially known as \"Community Filters\" and \"On-Demand Geofilters,\" are overlays users can apply to their photos and videos. Community Filters are free and cover large areas like cities or landmarks. On-Demand Geofilters, however, are paid, customizable, and appear only within a specific location and time frame—perfect for events or local marketing campaigns.

These filters work because they’re interactive and fun. When guests at your event use your branded filter, they’re not just capturing a moment—they’re promoting your brand to their network. According to Snapchat, over 75% of daily active users engage with lenses and filters each day, making them a powerful tool for visibility.

“Geofilters blend seamlessly into the user experience. They don’t feel like ads—they feel like part of the fun.” — Jordan Lee, Digital Marketing Strategist at SocialPulse Agency

Step-by-Step Guide to Purchasing Your Custom Filter

Creating and launching a custom Snapchat filter involves six essential steps. Follow this timeline to ensure your filter is live when you need it.

1. Determine your goal and audience: Is this for brand awareness, event branding, or customer engagement? Knowing your objective helps shape the design and messaging.
2. Design your filter: Use Snapchat’s web-based design tool or hire a designer. Keep text minimal, colors bold, and branding clear. Avoid small details that won’t be visible on mobile screens.
3. Define your geofence: Choose the exact location where the filter will be available. This could be a venue, a block radius, or multiple locations for larger campaigns.
4. Select dates and times: Filters are only active during specified hours. Align these with your event schedule for maximum usage.
5. Submit and pay: Upload your design through Snapchat’s On-Demand Geofilter portal. Pricing varies based on location size and duration.
6. Promote its use: Let attendees know the filter exists. Display signage, announce it in speeches, or include it in event apps.

Tip: Submit your filter at least 3–5 days before the event. Snapchat reviews all submissions for compliance, so early submission avoids last-minute surprises.

Design Best Practices and Common Pitfalls

A poorly designed filter can go unnoticed or even annoy users. To maximize engagement, follow these proven principles:

• Use high-contrast colors that stand out against various backgrounds.
• Include your logo or brand name, but keep it subtle—don’t dominate the screen.
• Leverage seasonal themes or humor relevant to your audience.
• Avoid clutter. Less text = higher usability.
• Test your design on different phone screens to ensure readability.

Do’s	Don’ts
Use vector graphics for crisp quality	Overload with text or logos
Align with brand colors and fonts	Use copyrighted images or characters
Add a call-to-action (e.g., “Happy Hour!”)	Include URLs or QR codes (they rarely get scanned)
Optimize for vertical mobile format	Ignore Snapchat’s file guidelines (PNG, 1080x1920px)

Real Example: How a Coffee Shop Boosted Foot Traffic

In Austin, Texas, a local coffee shop called Brew & Bloom launched a weekend pop-up featuring live music and artisan pastries. To drive social buzz, they created a custom Snapchat filter with animated coffee steam rising from their logo and the tagline “Sip, Snap, Share.”

The geofence covered a 0.2-mile radius around the shop, active from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Staff encouraged customers to use the filter by offering a free pastry stamp card for every three snaps posted with it.

The result? Over 1,200 uses of the filter across two days. Their Instagram feed was flooded with reposts, and foot traffic increased by 40% compared to the previous weekend. Most importantly, new customers cited “seeing it on Snapchat” as their reason for visiting.

“We didn’t spend much—under $50 total—but the return was massive. It turned our regulars into promoters.” — Mia Tran, Owner of Brew & Bloom

Cost Breakdown and Budget Planning

One of the biggest misconceptions about Snapchat filters is that they’re expensive. In reality, pricing is transparent and scalable. Snapchat calculates cost based on two factors: geographic area and duration.

For example, a 2,000 sq ft space (like a wedding venue) for 8 hours might cost $5–$20. A larger area, such as a city block for a full day, could range from $20 to $50. Major events in dense urban areas may reach $100+, but most small businesses and private events stay under $30.

Tip: Narrow your geofence to only essential areas. A precise boundary saves money and increases relevance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my filter outside of my event location?

No. On-Demand Geofilters are tied to a specific geographic boundary and time window. Once the event ends or someone leaves the zone, the filter disappears from their app.

How long does approval take?

Snapchat typically approves filters within 1–2 business days. During holidays or peak event seasons, it may take up to 5 days. Always submit early.

Can I reuse the same filter for future events?

You’ll need to resubmit and repurchase the filter for each new date and location. However, you can save your design file and upload it again, saving time on recreation.

Checklist: Preparing Your Snapchat Filter Campaign

• ☐ Define campaign goal (branding, engagement, promotion)
• ☐ Choose event date, time, and physical location
• ☐ Design filter following Snapchat’s specs (PNG, 1080x1920px)
• ☐ Create a precise geofence using Snapchat’s map tool
• ☐ Submit filter 3–5 days before event
• ☐ Confirm payment and approval via email
• ☐ Promote filter at the event with signage and staff reminders
• ☐ Track usage post-event through Snapchat’s confirmation email

Conclusion: Turn Moments Into Momentum

A custom Snapchat filter is more than a digital decoration—it’s a strategic tool that turns passive attendees into active participants. With minimal investment and straightforward execution, businesses and event hosts can amplify their presence in a space where attention matters most: the smartphone screen.

Start small. Test a filter at your next team meeting, store opening, or community fair. Learn what resonates with your audience, refine your approach, and scale up. The key isn’t perfection—it’s participation.

🚀 Ready to launch your first filter? Head to Snapchat’s On-Demand Geofilters page, sketch your idea, and set your location. Your next viral moment starts with one simple overlay.