Square 1080×1080 is the lowest-friction ad format: it fits Instagram feed, Facebook feed, and LinkedIn feed with no re-export. If you produce one creative per campaign, this is usually the one.
This guide uses the image creative API at `format: "1080x1080"`. Output is a PNG with the AI visual plus an HTML/CSS text layer for the headline, stat, and CTA — same approach as the LinkedIn 1200×628 guide, different aspect.
Step by step
- 01
Decide the dominant element
Square ads work when one element dominates: a product shot, a stat, a face, a hero icon. Two equal elements compete for attention. Mention which dominates in the prompt ("hero element: numbered stat 47%").
- 02
Headline + stat + CTA
Standard composition is: short hook headline (3–6 words), one stat or proof point (1 line), CTA pill (1–3 words). The art director arranges them so the visual reads at thumb-stop distance.
- 03
POST and use it everywhere
Same PNG works in Instagram feed, Facebook feed, LinkedIn feed (where 1080×1080 is also a supported placement). Some teams use 1200×628 for LinkedIn and 1080×1080 for Meta — both formats come from the same API.
Example prompts
Copy, click, tweak — the CTA opens the terminal with the prompt pre-loaded.
Square 1080×1080 ad for a customer support SaaS. Headline: "Resolve tickets 3× faster". Stat: "Average team saves 11 hours per week". CTA: "Try free". Tone: confident, business. Try →Square Instagram ad for a vintage-inspired denim brand. Headline: "Made to age, not to expire". CTA: "Shop the line". Style: muted earth tones, single product shot dominant. Try →Square ad for an online course "Async product reviews". Headline: "Stop the meeting marathon". Stat: "8 hours back per week". CTA: "Enrol Q3". Tone: practical, no-nonsense. Try →API call
Standard REST. Bearer token, JSON body, URL response. Works in any HTTP client, n8n, Make, Zapier, or MCP agent.
curl -X POST https://api.42rows.com/v1/image-creative \
-H "Authorization: Bearer sk_..." \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"prompt": "Square 1080x1080 ad for a customer support SaaS, headline Resolve tickets 3x faster",
"format": "1080x1080"
}'Pricing
Pay-per-call, no subscription. Subscription plans are on the roadmap — they will not change pay-per-call rates.
FAQ
When should I pick 1080×1080 over 1200×628 for LinkedIn?
1200×628 is the dedicated sponsored content format and tends to render larger on LinkedIn feed. 1080×1080 trades some real estate for cross-platform reuse on Meta. If your campaign is LinkedIn-only, prefer 1200×628.
Can I upload the same square to Pinterest?
Yes, but Pinterest favours 2:3 vertical (1000×1500) for feed performance. Square works, just not optimal. Vertical 1080×1920 from the same API is closer to Pinterest-native.
Will the text overlay scale on small mobile feeds?
The overlay is rendered at the final pixel dimensions, so what you see at 1080×1080 in the API response is what mobile feeds will display (downsampled to ~400px on most devices). Headlines longer than 8 words start to feel small at thumb-stop distance.
How is this different from Canva templates?
Canva needs a designer to pick the template, edit the text, and place the visual. The API takes a brief and returns a finished PNG. The trade-off: no manual fine-grained layout control.
Can I generate multiple variants in one call?
Not yet — one call returns one PNG. Generating N variants means N calls. Variant batching is a planned feature.
Ship it
Use the first example prompt as a starter — the button opens the public terminal with it pre-filled.