You want to set a consistent default cover image library for your Notion workspace so all team members use the same set of branded or approved images. Notion provides a default Unsplash image library, but you can replace it with your own uploaded images or a custom Unsplash collection. This article explains how to configure the workspace-level cover image library, what limitations exist, and how to manage images for your team.
Key Takeaways: Customizing Notion Workspace Cover Images
- Settings & Members > Settings > Workspace > Cover Image Library: Replace the default Unsplash library with your own curated images or a custom Unsplash collection.
- Upload custom images: Add up to 50 images in PNG, JPG, or GIF format, each under 5 MB, to the workspace library.
- Custom Unsplash collection URL: Paste a valid Unsplash collection link to pull images directly from that collection for all members.
Understanding the Notion Workspace Cover Image Library
The cover image library is a workspace-level setting that controls which cover images appear when a user clicks “Add Cover” on any page. By default, Notion offers images from Unsplash’s general library. Workspace owners and admins can replace this with a custom set of uploaded images or a specific Unsplash collection. This feature is available on all Notion plans, including Free, Plus, Business, and Enterprise. There is no limit to the number of images you can add, but each image in the custom upload library must be under 5 MB and in PNG, JPG, or GIF format. The custom library supports up to 50 images. The custom Unsplash collection option pulls images from any public Unsplash collection, and the collection can contain any number of images. The library setting applies to all members of the workspace; individual users cannot override it with a personal library. Changes take effect immediately after saving.
Steps to Configure the Workspace Cover Image Library
Only workspace owners and admins can change the cover image library. Follow these steps to configure it for your workspace.
- Open Workspace Settings
Click Settings & Members in the left sidebar. Then click the Settings tab at the top of the panel. - Navigate to the Cover Image Library section
Scroll down to the Workspace section. Look for the Cover Image Library heading. It appears below the “Default Page Style” option. - Choose a library type
Click Change next to the current library type. A dropdown menu appears with three options: Unsplash (default), Custom Upload, and Custom Unsplash Collection. - Option A: Use Custom Upload
Select Custom Upload. Click Add Images and select up to 50 images from your computer. Each image must be under 5 MB and in PNG, JPG, or GIF format. After uploading, you can drag images to reorder them or click the X icon to remove any. Click Save to apply. - Option B: Use Custom Unsplash Collection
Select Custom Unsplash Collection. Paste the URL of a public Unsplash collection into the text field. For example, a collection URL looks likehttps://unsplash.com/collections/123456/collection-name. Click Verify to confirm the collection exists and is public. Click Save to apply. - Revert to default if needed
To go back to the default Unsplash library, repeat steps 1 and 2. Click Change and select Unsplash. Click Save.
Common Issues and Limitations When Configuring the Library
Custom Upload Images Do Not Appear for All Members
If you upload images but team members cannot see them, ensure you clicked Save after uploading. The library updates immediately after saving, but users may need to refresh their Notion page (press F5) to see the new images. Also, check that the images are under 5 MB and in a supported format. Notion does not display unsupported file types in the library.
Custom Unsplash Collection URL Is Invalid
Notion verifies the collection URL when you click Verify. If you see an error, the collection may be private or the URL is incorrect. Only public Unsplash collections work. To find a public collection, browse Unsplash.com, click on a collection, and copy the URL from your browser’s address bar. Ensure the URL includes the collection ID and name.
Library Changes Do Not Affect Existing Pages
The cover image library only affects the “Add Cover” menu for new or existing pages when a user clicks to change the cover. Pages that already have a cover image set will not automatically update. Users must manually change the cover on each page to use images from the new library.
Notion Cover Image Library Options Compared
| Item | Unsplash (Default) | Custom Upload | Custom Unsplash Collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Unsplash general library | Your uploaded images | A specific public Unsplash collection |
| Image limit | Unlimited | 50 images | Unlimited (depends on collection) |
| File size limit | N/A | 5 MB per image | N/A |
| Supported formats | All Unsplash images | PNG, JPG, GIF | All Unsplash images |
| Admin control | None | Full control over images | Limited to collection owner’s curation |
Workspace owners and admins can now set a custom cover image library to enforce brand consistency across all pages. After configuring the library, ask your team to refresh their Notion window and test the “Add Cover” option to confirm the new images appear. For advanced control, consider using the Custom Upload option with your company’s approved brand assets, and set a reminder to review the library quarterly to remove outdated images.