Loom is a screen‑capture tool that lets designers quickly create video tutorials, feedback loops, and design reviews. This guide shows you the core concepts, how to set it up, the main workflows, advanced tricks, and common pitfalls. By the end, you’ll be able to use Loom efficiently in every design project.
Loom is built around three core pieces: the video stream, the webcam overlay, and the audio track. When you start a recording, Loom captures the screen area you choose, stitches it with your webcam view, and records your voice. The result is a single MP4 file that can be uploaded to Loom’s cloud, shared via a link, or downloaded locally.
Designers benefit from Loom’s instant sharing. Instead of a long email thread, you can drop a video into a Slack channel or embed it in Figma comments. Loom also stores videos in a searchable library, so you can find the exact clip you need later.
Before you record, you need a Loom account and the Loom desktop app or Chrome extension. The free plan gives you 720p video, 25 MB file size, and a 5‑minute clip limit per recording. Paid plans raise the resolution to 1080p, increase the file size limit to 100 MB, and remove the clip length cap.
Download the app from loom.com or install the Chrome extension. Once installed, sign in with your email or Google account. Loom will ask for screen, camera, and microphone permissions. Grant them; otherwise, the app won’t work.
After installation, set your default recording mode. In the settings, you can choose between Screen + Cam, Screen only, or Cam only. For most design demos, Screen + Cam is the default.
| Feature | Loom (Free) | Zoom | OBS Studio | Camtasia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 720p | 1080p | 4K | 1080p |
| File size limit | 25 MB | Unlimited (cloud) | Unlimited (local) | Unlimited (local) |
| Clip length | 5 min | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Webcam overlay | Yes, front‑camera only | Yes, multiple cameras | Yes, multi‑source | Yes, multi‑source |
| Price (Pro) | $8/month | $15/month per host | Free | $249 one‑time |
Once you’re set up, follow these steps to create a polished Loom video:
Write a short outline. Note the key screens, design decisions, and hand‑off points. Keep the script to 2–3 minutes if possible. This reduces editing time later.
Click the Loom icon, choose Screen + Cam, and select the area of your screen. If you have a windowed design tool, use the Window mode. Start the recording with the play button or the shortcut ⌘+Shift+L.
Speak at a moderate pace. Avoid filler words. If you pause, you can trim the pause later. Keep the webcam looking at your face; this adds a personal touch.
Click the stop button when done. Loom opens the editor immediately. Trim the start and end, delete unwanted sections, and add captions if needed.
Upload the final video to Loom’s cloud. Copy the link and paste it into your design file, Slack channel, or email. If you need a local file, click Download to get an MP4.
Designers can leverage Loom’s advanced features to streamline communication and create reusable assets.
Create a Loom folder called Design Templates. Within it, save video recordings that explain component usage or design guidelines. When you start a new project, copy the template folder to keep the naming structure consistent.
In settings, you can change the webcam border color to match your brand palette. This small detail keeps your videos on brand. If you use a green screen, Loom will automatically replace the background with a solid color.
While Loom’s editor is simple, you can use a third‑party editor like Adobe Premiere Rush to combine multiple Loom clips. Import the MP4s, cut them to a single timeline, and export a polished final product.
Figma’s Loom plugin lets you record a design file directly. Click Record in the plugin, choose the frames you want to showcase, and the video appears as a comment attachment. This keeps the context intact for reviewers.
Even experienced designers make errors. Spotting these early saves time.
Recording more than 3 minutes often forces you to cut out useful content. Keep clips short and focused.
If your voice is too soft, the viewer will struggle. Check the audio meter before recording. Aim for a steady 50–70 dB.
Design files may contain proprietary data. Blur or hide these areas before recording. Loom’s editor can blur parts of the screen.
Shortcuts like ⌘+Shift+L (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+L (Windows) let you start and stop recording quickly. Relying on the UI slows you down.
Upload videos to a project folder immediately. Leaving them in the default folder makes it hard to find them later.
Loom is a video recording tool that lets you capture your screen, webcam, and microphone in one click.
Yes, you must sign up for a free or paid Loom account to store and