How to Edit Background on Instagram Story: A Comprehensive Guide
Learn how to edit the background on your Instagram Story! This guide outlines several methods, from using built-in tools to leveraging third-party apps, ensuring you can create visually appealing and engaging content.
Why Change Your Instagram Story Background?
The background of your Instagram Story is a blank canvas – a crucial element that sets the tone and draws attention to your content. Mastering how to edit background on Instagram Story opens doors to creative expression and enhanced engagement.
- Enhanced Visual Appeal: A thoughtfully chosen background transforms a simple story into something visually captivating.
- Brand Consistency: Consistent backgrounds reinforce your brand identity and create a cohesive visual presence.
- Highlighting Content: Strategic backgrounds help to emphasize the focal point of your story, whether it’s text, a photo, or a video.
- Adding Context: A background can provide context to your story, reinforcing the narrative you’re trying to tell.
Different Methods for Background Editing
There are various ways to customize your Instagram Story backgrounds, ranging from Instagram’s built-in features to more advanced third-party applications. Understanding these methods allows you to choose the best approach based on your creative vision and technical skills.
- Using the Draw Tool: This is the simplest method, allowing you to select a color and fill the entire screen with it.
- The Color Picker: Use the color picker to match a background color to an existing element in your photo or video.
- Adding a Photo Background: Import an image from your camera roll and use it as the background for your story.
- Using GIF Backgrounds: Search for and incorporate animated GIFs as your background for a dynamic effect.
- Third-Party Apps: Apps like Canva offer a vast library of pre-designed templates and customizable backgrounds.
Step-by-Step Guide to Editing Your Instagram Story Background
Here’s a detailed walkthrough of how to change your Instagram story background:
- Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your phone.
- Create a New Story: Swipe right from the main feed to access the story creation interface.
- Take a Photo or Video (Optional): Capture a new photo or video, or select one from your camera roll.
- Access the Draw Tool: Tap the draw icon (a squiggly line) at the top of the screen.
- Select a Color: Choose your desired background color from the palette at the bottom.
- Long Press the Screen: Press and hold your finger on the screen for a few seconds. This will fill the entire screen with the selected color.
- Erase Sections (Optional): Use the eraser tool to reveal parts of your original photo or video underneath the colored background.
- Add Text, Stickers, or GIFs: Customize your story further with text, stickers, and animated GIFs.
- Share Your Story: Tap “Your Story” to post it to your profile.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While how to edit background on Instagram Story seems straightforward, certain mistakes can detract from the overall impact.
- Overly Busy Backgrounds: Avoid backgrounds that distract from the main content. Simplicity often yields better results.
- Clashing Colors: Choose background colors that complement, rather than clash with, the colors in your photo or video.
- Low-Resolution Images: Using low-resolution images as backgrounds will result in a blurry and unprofessional look.
- Ignoring Brand Guidelines: If you’re using Instagram Stories for business, ensure your background choices align with your brand’s visual identity.
Using Third-Party Apps for Advanced Editing
For more advanced customization, consider using third-party apps. These apps offer a wider range of features, including customizable templates, advanced editing tools, and access to vast libraries of backgrounds. Canva is a popular choice known for its ease of use and extensive design options. Adobe Spark Post is another powerful tool for creating visually stunning Instagram Stories.
| App Name | Features | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Canva | Pre-designed templates, customizable backgrounds, photo editing tools, collaboration features | Free (with paid premium options) |
| Adobe Spark Post | Animated graphics, professionally designed templates, branding options, integration with Adobe Creative Cloud | Free (with paid premium options) |
| PicsArt | Photo editing tools, sticker library, collage maker, drawing tools | Free (with paid premium options) |
Optimizing Your Instagram Story Background for Mobile Viewing
Instagram Stories are primarily viewed on mobile devices. Optimizing your background for mobile viewing is crucial for ensuring a seamless and engaging user experience.
- Use Vertical Images: Stick to vertical images with an aspect ratio of 9:16.
- Keep Text Concise: Avoid overcrowding the screen with too much text.
- Test on Different Devices: View your story on different mobile devices to ensure it looks good on various screen sizes.
- Consider the Placement of Elements: Position key elements in the center of the screen to avoid them being cropped on certain devices.
Leveraging Backgrounds for Interactive Stories
Backgrounds can also enhance the interactivity of your Instagram Stories. Use them to frame polls, quizzes, and question stickers, drawing attention to these interactive elements and encouraging user participation.
- Use contrasting colors around the interactive element to make it stand out.
- Add arrows or visual cues to direct attention to the poll or question.
- Incorporate brand colors to reinforce brand recognition during interactive sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I change the background color of text on an Instagram story?
While you can’t directly change the background color of individual words or letters in Instagram Story text, you can use the draw tool to create a colored rectangle or shape behind the text box, mimicking a background. Alternatively, experiment with different text styles, some of which come with inherent background options.
Can I use a video as my Instagram Story background?
Yes, you absolutely can! You can upload a pre-recorded video from your camera roll or record a short video directly within the Instagram Story interface. This provides a dynamic and engaging alternative to static backgrounds. The video will loop continuously behind your other story elements.
How do I make the background transparent on Instagram Story?
Instagram doesn’t natively offer a completely transparent background option. However, you can achieve a similar effect by using the eyedropper tool to sample a color from your original photo or video and then using that color to fill the entire screen. This blends the background seamlessly.
Is it possible to add a gradient background to my Instagram Story?
While Instagram’s built-in tools don’t directly offer gradient backgrounds, you can create them using third-party apps like Canva or Adobe Spark Post. These apps provide templates and tools specifically for designing gradient backgrounds. Save the image and then upload it as the background to your story.
How can I blur the background on my Instagram Story photo?
You can’t directly blur the background within the Instagram Story interface itself. Use a photo editing app like Snapseed or VSCO to blur the background before uploading the image to your story. Look for options like “Lens Blur” or “Gaussian Blur” in these apps.
What’s the best image resolution to use for an Instagram Story background?
Ideally, your background image should have a resolution of 1080 pixels wide by 1920 pixels high (9:16 aspect ratio). This ensures a sharp and clear image on most mobile devices. Using lower resolution images can result in a blurry or pixelated background.
How do I remove a background from a photo to use as a sticker on Instagram Story?
Use a background remover app or website like Remove.bg. Upload your photo, and the tool will automatically remove the background. Download the transparent image (usually in PNG format), save it to your camera roll, and then add it as a sticker to your Instagram Story.
Are there copyright issues when using background images from the internet?
Yes, always be mindful of copyright! Before using any image found online, check its licensing terms. Look for images with Creative Commons licenses or use stock photo websites like Unsplash or Pexels, which offer royalty-free images for commercial use.
How do I save an Instagram Story background template for future use?
The easiest way is to take a screenshot of your finished background template. Then, you can easily access it from your camera roll and use it as the base for future Instagram Stories. Some third-party apps, like Canva, also allow you to save and reuse templates directly within the app.
Can I animate the background of my Instagram Story?
Yes, you can! Use animated GIFs found through the GIPHY sticker search within Instagram Stories, or create animated backgrounds using apps like Adobe Spark Post. Animating your background can add a dynamic and eye-catching element to your stories.
How do I find inspiration for Instagram Story background ideas?
Explore Pinterest, Instagram, and design blogs for inspiration. Search for keywords like “Instagram Story backgrounds,” “Instagram Story templates,” or “aesthetic backgrounds.” Pay attention to color palettes, typography, and overall design trends.
How do I use brand colors effectively in my Instagram Story backgrounds?
Consistent use of brand colors is essential for brand recognition. Identify your brand’s primary and secondary colors and incorporate them into your Instagram Story backgrounds using the color picker tool or by creating custom templates in design apps. This will help to create a cohesive and recognizable brand presence.