Generate Storyboard Paper with Custom Frames and Caption Fields as a PDF
Before the camera rolls — whether on a YouTube video (16:9), an Instagram Reel (1:1), an animation sequence, or a live-action film — every strong production starts with a storyboard that maps out each shot on paper. Lineum lets you set the number of frame rows and columns, pick the aspect ratio that matches your project (16:9, 4:3, or 1:1), and set the caption field height in millimeters for dialogue and camera notes. The default lands on a landscape 3×2 grid of 16:9 frames — the layout most video teams reach for first. No account needed — export the full sequence in one PDF.
Use cases
- Planning film and video scenes shot by shot. Set the row and column count to match your shot count, sketch each frame, and write camera moves, dialogue, and timing in the caption field. Turn on the title section for a scene or shot number, and raise the page count to export the full sequence in one file.
- Planning YouTube content and video ads. Sketching the visual and dialogue for each shot in the planning stage makes it easier to align with a team or client before production. Match the aspect ratio to the platform — 16:9 for YouTube, 1:1 for Instagram.
- Roughing out comic and picture-book page layouts. Use a 1:1 ratio or a custom row/column count to explore a spread's panel arrangement. Unlike plain comic panel paper, the caption field lets you draft narration and dialogue alongside each frame.
- Visual scripting for presentations and training materials. Use each frame to sketch a slide's message and visual concept before designing in software. Choose 4:3 for legacy formats or 16:9 for widescreen slides.
Tips
- The default is a 3-row × 2-column, six-frame layout with a 16:9 aspect ratio in landscape — standard for most video storyboards.
- Switch to 4:3 for traditional TV or presentation slides, or to 1:1 for social-media square video or a comic-strip panel layout.
- Set the caption field height to 14–20 mm to leave enough room to write dialogue, camera moves, and shot timing notes.
- Reduce the row and column count (for example 2 × 2) to make each frame larger when you need more drawing space per shot.
- Export several pages to bundle an entire scene or script sequence into one storyboard file.
FAQ
- What is a storyboard?
- A storyboard is a sequence of drawn frames — like a comic strip — that maps out the shots, actions, and dialogue of a film, video, animation, or presentation before production begins. Each frame represents one shot or scene, with a caption area below for notes. Aspect ratios (16:9, 4:3, 1:1) are chosen to match the target platform or screen.
- Can I change the aspect ratio of the frames?
- Yes. Choose from 16:9 (video/widescreen), 4:3 (TV/presentation), or 1:1 (square video or comic panels).
- How do I change the number of frames?
- Set the number of rows and columns to control the total frame count. For example, 2 rows × 3 columns gives you six frames arranged three across and two down.
- Is there space to write dialogue and camera notes?
- Yes. Each frame has a caption field below it whose height you can set in millimeters — enough room for dialogue, action notes, or shot timing.
- Does it support paper sizes other than A4?
- Yes. Lineum supports A3, A4, A5, A6, B4, B5, B6, Letter, Legal, Tabloid, and Half-Letter.