Instagram Stories Design Hacks
Trick your followers into thinking you’re a natural born designer with these Instagram Stories design hacks:
Hack #1: ’s Canva Templates
If you need to create something quickly, using pre-made templates can be your go-to.
And lucky for you, we have 30+ customizable Instagram Story templates — whether you’re highlighting your latest launch or hosting a Q&A.
The best part? With ‘s Canva integration, you can easily import your customized templates to our media library and schedule them in advance.
Hack #2: Uncover Hidden Colors
ICYMI: You can access every color of the rainbow with this easy trick.
Simply select the brush tool in Instagram Stories, then tap and hold any color to reveal a color slider.
And voila — an unlimited number of shades to spruce up your 24-hour content.
Hack #3: Add a Custom Backdrop
From product highlights to weekly roundups, a custom backdrop is a perfect (and simple) way to add life to your Instagram Stories.
And there are two ways to do it: by filling your background with a solid color or selecting a background image from your camera roll.
To set a solid color as your background, follow the steps in Hack #1 to select a color.
Then, tap and hold on the screen for 1-3 seconds to set your background. If you’ve shared a feed post to stories, the background will fill with your chosen color behind the post.
To set an image as your background, share a post to your story as normal.
Then, select the photo sticker from the sticker tray to import the image you want to use as your backdrop.
Move the feed post to one side of your screen and expand the added photo using two fingers (in a pinch motion).
At the same time, tap and hold the original feed post using your thumb to keep it as the top layer — and you’ve got your masterpiece!
Hack #4: Import Custom Fonts
If you’re looking to make your Instagram Stories feel a little more “on-brand,” adding a custom font is a great option.
It’s easy: Visit Instagram Fonts Generator on web or mobile, type in your text, and copy/paste your favorite rendition into your story.
Hack #5: Create Effects with the Eraser Tool
Did you know you can use the eraser tool to create cool effects on Instagram Stories?
First, upload the photo of your choice and use the draw tool to draw an effect over the image.
Then, use the eraser to create a 3D effect. The possibilities are endless!
Hack #6: Add Music to Your Instagram Stories
Another top hack? Adding a theme song to your Instagram Stories using the music sticker.
You can scroll through a “For You” tab of suggested songs, browse by categories, or search for the perfect tune.
Once you’ve made your pick, you can choose the exact part that fits your story, how long you want it to be (the maximum is 15 seconds), and customize the sticker’s look by tapping.
NOTE: Instagram Business accounts only have a limited selection of music due to Instagram’s licensing agreements.
Hack #7: Add Brand Colors
While Instagram’s full color palette is extensive, it can be tough to pinpoint a specific color.
Thankfully, there’s an Instagram Stories hack to add your exact brand colors.
Tap the photos sticker to add an image with your chosen colors and use the color picker tool to sample a hue.
You can then use this color for your stories background, the draw tool, or your text.
Then, slide and trash your reference image to debut your branded Instagram story.
P.S. You can schedule your Instagram Stories in advance with ‘s scheduling tools. Start your free trial today.
