Snapchat will now let you create your own custom Lenses and Filters - here's how to make them

Starting Thursday, Snapchat users are now able to create personalized Snapchat Lenses and Filters, which they can buy through Snapchat's website or application.

Snapchat Lenses, the masks and backdrops that appear when you press on a face while in camera mode, were made popular back in 2015. Snapchat Filters work similarly, by letting you design custom frames around your photos and videos with images, colors, text, and other fun elements.

By letting people create their own Lenses and Filters, Snapchat is further personalizing its app for all sorts of use cases, including special events, similar to what Snap did for Geofilters. The free Lens Studio launched in December for more technically savvy creators to build 3D visuals like Snapchat's popular dancing hotdog; today, the studio will let users choose from at least 150 templates for custom Lenses, which you can personalize with text and emoji fairly quickly.

Here's how to make your own custom Snapchat Lenses and Filters: