Guide To Creating Instagram Highlight Covers | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Guide to Creating ​Instagram Story Highlight Covers

Personalize your own covers fast using the Canva app!

5887
Guide to Creating ​Instagram Story Highlight Covers
Shea Ward

In This Article:

Want to create Instagram highlight cover icons like these? Keep reading!


Created with the app Canva


1. Download the Canva app

2. When you open up the app this is what you should be looking at

Shea Ward

3. See the section "Instagram Story"? Go ahead and click on "see all" on the far right

4. Now your screen should look something like this... go ahead and click on the first template on the left hand side labeled "Blank"

Shea Ward

5. Clicking the blank screen triggers the appearance of the color wheel along with a variety of default color options.

Shea Ward

6. In this case, I'm using one of my favorite shades of blue. Play around with the color wheel until you get the color and shade you're looking for. (If you want a white background, less work for you, keep going.) Once you have created the color you want to use click "Done" in the bottom right corner.

Shea Ward

7. Now that you have established your background, it's time to select and add personalized icons. To do this, click on the " + " in the bottom right corner.

Shea Ward

8. Almost there...

Shea Ward

If you want to create an Instagram highlight cover that is text-based like this:

Shea Ward

Then click on the "Text" box, which will allow you to edit pre-made fonts and designs or "add some text of your own" where you can customize/mess around with font, size, the color of text, etc.

If you are looking to create Instagram highlight covers that are icon based like this:

Shea Ward

Then click the "Graphics" box.

9. Scroll through the given graphics for inspiration or use the search bar to look up something specific. For example, if I wanted one of my highlight sections to be about music I could search "music" or "music note".

Shea Ward

Warning: (Not all icons Canva offers are free. However, there will most likely be multiple free alternatives of the graphic you are looking for)

10. When you have found the graphic you want to use, click on it and it will add it to your design.

Shea Ward

Now you can use the color wheel to change the color of the graphic to one of your choice. In my case, I chose to make my music note white. Similar to Word, you can also shrink, enlarge or rotate the graphic.

11. Once you are happy with what you have created click the download button (second from the top right corner). Once you do it will finalize and process your design. You should see the caption "Making the magic happen..." You can also click the export button (the last button in the far top right corner and click "save as image", either way will ensure the design is saved to your camera roll.

12. If you want to save time and use the same color background for the rest of your icons, click on the graphic, delete it using the trash can icon at the top. Then select the " + " button and search for a new graphic, repeating steps 9-11 as many times as necessary.

In my case, I would go back to the design, select the music note, click the trash can icon at the top of the screen, select the "Graphics" box again and then search for "dogs, fashion, sports, airplane, etc" saving each one to my camera roll individually.

13. Time to upload!

Shea Ward

Open up your Instagram and add all your designs to your story. Warning: (You cannot create your highlight sections and then delete these covers from your story. They need to be left up or Instagram will remove them as your cover photos... annoying I know, but you'll live)

14. On your Instagram profile click ( + ) button labeled "New" then select one of the covers you have created and click "Next" in the top right corner. Give your highlight section a name and then click "Add" in the top right corner

Note: (If you made five cover photos you will need to do Step 14 five times, one for each)

15. Congratulations!! You've done it and your Instagram profile should look something like this now...

Shea Ward


Canva gives you the freedom to use your imagination to create customized designs fast that correspond with your interests, preferences and Instagram feed! The possibilities are endless so...

Shea Ward

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
college

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

71
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

48
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments