Screenshot Figma Frames: Quick & Easy Guide

Nov 3, 2025 by Admin 44 views

Hey guys! Ever found yourself needing to grab a quick screenshot of a specific frame in Figma? Maybe you want to share a design concept, get feedback on a particular section, or simply document your progress. Whatever the reason, knowing how to snag a screenshot directly from Figma can save you a ton of time and hassle. Forget about capturing your entire screen and then cropping – let's dive into the simple methods for getting those perfect frame screenshots.

Why Screenshotting Figma Frames is Super Useful

Okay, so why bother learning how to screenshot frames specifically? Well, let me tell you, it's a game-changer for several reasons. First off, it keeps things clean and focused. Instead of sharing a massive screenshot of your entire Figma workspace, you can isolate the exact frame you need. This makes it way easier for your collaborators to see what you're referring to, without any distractions. Think about it – clear communication is key, especially when you're working on design projects with a team.

Another big advantage is speed and efficiency. Imagine you're in a fast-paced design review and need to quickly share a revised component. Instead of fumbling around with cropping tools, you can instantly grab a screenshot of the frame and paste it into your chat or presentation. This streamlined workflow helps you stay in the zone and keep the momentum going. Plus, it just looks more professional when you're sharing clean, targeted visuals.

Beyond collaboration, screenshotting frames is also fantastic for documentation and record-keeping. As you iterate on designs, it's helpful to have a visual history of your progress. By taking screenshots of key frames along the way, you can easily track changes and refer back to previous versions. This is especially useful for large projects with multiple stakeholders, where it's important to have a clear audit trail. And let's not forget the simple act of archiving your work – screenshots can serve as a quick visual backup of your designs, just in case something goes haywire with your Figma files.

Method 1: Using Figma's Built-in Export Feature

Figma, being the awesome design tool it is, comes with a built-in export feature that makes screenshotting frames a breeze. This method is perfect when you need a high-quality image of your frame and want more control over the export settings. Here’s how you do it:

Select Your Frame: First things first, click on the frame you want to capture. Make sure the entire frame is selected – you should see a bounding box around it. This tells Figma exactly what you want to export.
Go to the Export Panel: On the right-hand side of your Figma window, you'll see the Properties panel. Scroll down until you find the Export section. This is where the magic happens.
Configure Your Export Settings: Here, you have a few options to play with. You can choose the file format (PNG, JPG, SVG, or PDF), adjust the export size (1x, 2x, 3x, etc.), and add a suffix to the file name. For screenshots, PNG is usually a good choice because it preserves image quality. If you need a smaller file size, JPG is also an option. SVG is great for vector graphics, and PDF is useful for documents.
Click 'Export': Once you're happy with your settings, hit the 'Export' button. Figma will then prompt you to choose a location to save your screenshot. Pick a folder, give your file a name, and click 'Save'.

And that's it! You now have a crisp, clean screenshot of your Figma frame, ready to be shared or used however you like. This method is particularly useful when you need a high-resolution image for presentations or print materials. Plus, the ability to customize the export settings gives you more control over the final result.

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts (The Quick & Dirty Way)

Okay, sometimes you just need a screenshot now, without messing around with export settings. That's where keyboard shortcuts come in handy. This method is super quick and easy, perfect for those moments when you need to grab a frame on the fly. Keep in mind that the quality might not be as high as with the export feature, but it's more than sufficient for most everyday purposes.

On Windows:

Select Your Frame: As always, start by selecting the frame you want to capture. Make sure it's clearly highlighted.
Press Windows Key + Shift + S: This magical key combination activates the Windows Snipping Tool. Your screen will dim, and you'll see a crosshair cursor.
Drag and Capture: Click and drag the crosshair around the frame you want to screenshot. Try to be as precise as possible to avoid capturing any unnecessary background.
Screenshot to Clipboard: Once you release the mouse button, the screenshot will be automatically copied to your clipboard. You can then paste it directly into your chat, email, or document.

On Mac:

Select Your Frame: Same drill – select the frame you want to capture.
Press Command + Shift + 4: This is the Mac equivalent of the Windows Snipping Tool. Your cursor will turn into a crosshair.
Drag and Capture: Click and drag the crosshair around the frame you want to screenshot.
Screenshot Saved to Desktop: By default, the screenshot will be saved as a PNG file on your desktop. You can then drag it into your desired application or share it as needed.

Pro Tip: On both Windows and Mac, you can customize the screenshot settings to change the file format, save location, and other options. Just do a quick search for "screenshot settings" in your operating system.

Method 3: Using Browser Extensions

Want even more flexibility when taking screenshots in Figma? Browser extensions are your friend! There are a bunch of handy extensions available that can supercharge your screenshot game, offering features like scrolling capture, annotation tools, and more. Here are a couple of popular options:

Awesome Screenshot: This extension lets you capture the entire page, a selected area, or just the visible part. It also comes with annotation tools, so you can add text, arrows, and shapes to your screenshots before sharing them.
Lightshot: Lightshot is another great option that offers a simple and intuitive interface. It allows you to select any area on your screen, add annotations, and quickly upload the screenshot to the cloud.

To use these extensions, simply install them from the Chrome Web Store (or your browser's extension store). Once installed, you'll usually see an icon in your browser toolbar. Click the icon to activate the extension and follow the on-screen instructions to capture your screenshot. Browser extensions can be especially useful when you need to capture long frames that extend beyond the visible screen area. The scrolling capture feature allows you to grab the entire frame in one go, without having to take multiple screenshots and stitch them together.

Method 4: Utilizing Figma Plugins

Okay, buckle up, because this is where things get really interesting. Figma plugins can take your screenshotting abilities to the next level. There are plugins specifically designed to help you capture frames with ease, offering advanced features like automatic background removal, device mockups, and more. Here's a peek at some cool plugins:

Screenshot to Clean Mockup: The plugins make clean mockups easy, and help you get the perfect presentation for your design work. They take your screenshots of the frame, and immediately produce a clean mockup.
Mockuuups Studio: This plugin offers a vast library of device mockups. You can easily place your frame screenshots into realistic phone, tablet, and laptop mockups, making your designs look super polished and professional.
Remove.bg: Need to quickly remove the background from your frame screenshot? This plugin uses AI to automatically detect and remove the background, leaving you with a clean, transparent image. This is perfect for creating icons, logos, or any other design element where you need a transparent background.

To use Figma plugins, simply search for them in the Figma Community, install them, and then access them from the Plugins menu in Figma. Each plugin will have its own set of instructions, so be sure to read the documentation to get the most out of it. Figma plugins can save you a ton of time and effort, especially when you need to create high-quality visuals for presentations, marketing materials, or your portfolio.

Tips for Taking the Best Figma Frame Screenshots

Alright, now that you know the different methods for screenshotting frames in Figma, let's talk about some tips to help you get the best possible results. After all, a great screenshot can make a big difference in how your designs are perceived.

Ensure the frame is properly aligned and cropped: Before taking a screenshot, double-check that the frame is perfectly aligned and cropped. This will prevent any unwanted elements from appearing in your screenshot and ensure that your design looks clean and professional.
Use a consistent background color: If you're taking multiple screenshots, try to use a consistent background color for all of them. This will create a more cohesive look and feel, especially if you're using the screenshots in a presentation or document.
Annotate screenshots to provide context: Don't be afraid to add annotations to your screenshots to provide context and highlight important details. Use arrows, text boxes, and shapes to draw attention to specific areas of the design and explain your thought process.
Choose the right file format: As mentioned earlier, PNG is generally the best file format for screenshots because it preserves image quality. However, if you need a smaller file size, JPG is also a viable option.
Optimize screenshots for web use: If you're using your screenshots on a website or in an email, be sure to optimize them for web use. This means compressing the images to reduce file size without sacrificing too much quality. There are many online tools that can help you with this.

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks! A comprehensive guide on how to take a screenshot of a frame in Figma. Whether you prefer the built-in export feature, keyboard shortcuts, browser extensions, or Figma plugins, there's a method that's perfect for your needs. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can ensure that your screenshots are always clear, professional, and effective. Now go forth and capture those frames! Happy designing!