When building a Gallery database in Notion and publishing it with Super, you may wonder whether it’s better to use a Files & Media property or the default Notion Page Cover for your card images.
While both options work, using a Files & Media property is generally more efficient and reliable in Super..
Why Use Files & Media as Your Gallery Cover
More reliable rendering – Files & Media is a structured database property, so Super reads and displays it more consistently.
More predictable updates – Images sync and refresh more reliably compared to page covers.
Better performance – Only the assigned card image loads, making gallery previews cleaner and more optimized.
Proper thumbnail sizing – Files & Media images behave better in gallery layouts, while page covers are large hero-style images.
More structured content – As part of the database schema, Files & Media keeps content consistent and easier for Super to render properly.
How to Set Files & Media as Your Gallery Cover
Open your Notion database.
Add a new property.
Select Files & Media as the property type.
Upload your image to each database item.
Switch your database to Gallery view.
Click the three dots (•••) → Layout → Card preview.
Select the Files & Media property you created.
Your gallery will now use the structured image instead of the page cover.
When Should You Use Page Cover Instead?
Page covers are best when:
You’re designing a standalone landing page
You want a strong hero image at the top of a page
The page is not primarily displayed inside a Gallery database
Recommended Setup for Super Users
For blog listings, resource libraries, portfolios, or any database-driven layout in Super: Use a Files & Media property as the Gallery card preview.
For landing pages or standalone content: Use the Page Cover for visual impact.