How to Find Instagram Story Templates

Creating beautiful Instagram Stories doesn't require a graphic design degree or hours of painstaking work. Using templates is the fastest way to elevate your look, maintain brand consistency, and post more engaging content more often. This guide breaks down exactly where to find and how to use countless amazing templates - from free, endlessly customizable options to premium, unique designs.

Why Instagram Story Templates Are a Game-Changer

Before jumping into how to find them, it’s helpful to understand why templates are so effective for leveling up your social media game. They're more than just pretty backgrounds, they are strategic tools that help you work smarter, not harder.

Here’s what they really do for you:

• Save Serious Time: This is the biggest benefit. Instead of starting from a blank canvas every single time, you have a pre-made layout ready to go. All you need to do is drop in your text, photos, or videos. This turns a 20-minute design process into a 2-minute task.
• Create Brand Consistency: Using a consistent set of fonts, colors, and layouts builds brand recognition. When your followers see one of your Stories, they should instantly know it’s yours. Templates make this effortless by keeping your visual identity cohesive across all your content.
• Increase Engagement: Let's be honest - we’re more likely to engage with content that looks good. Well-designed templates featuring interactive elements like polls, quizzes, and Q&A boxes encourage viewers to tap, respond, and connect with your story, which can boost your reach.
• Look More Professional: A polished presence builds trust and credibility. Templates give you access to professional-grade design without the cost, helping even the smallest solopreneur or creator look like a major brand.

Method 1: Finding Templates Directly Inside Instagram

Instagram has a handy, built-in feature for discovering and using templates - though it's sometimes overlooked. The "Add Yours" sticker has evolved into a powerful way to find and participate in design trends.

How to Use the "Add Yours Templates" Feature

This feature allows you to use a template someone else has created by pinning elements like text boxes, GIFs, or images to the screen. You just fill in your own content.

Here's how to create your own or find an existing one:

1. Open the Instagram Story editor and take or upload a photo or video.
2. Tap the Sticker icon at the top of the screen.
3. Select the "Add Yours Templates" sticker (it has a little picture icon and a die).
4. You'll see a selection of elements you can pin: GIFs, text, or images from your gallery. Choose what you want others to customize.
5. Once you’ve arranged the pinned elements, post your Story. Anyone who sees it can tap the "Add Yours" prompt to use your template with their own background image.

How to Browse and Use Templates from Others

You probably find yourself tapping on "Add Yours" stickers all the time. Sometimes, you'll see a prompt called "Add Yours Template" at a certain creator's sticker. You can tap on it to start customizing the template yourself. Alternatively, if you want to get some inspiration, you can tap on the "Dice" button.

Whenever you’re in the Story creation screen and tap the "Add Yours Templates" sticker, look for the "See all" with a set of dice button at the bottom of the screen. Tapping this takes you to a gallery where you can swipe through and choose from countless options made by others.

The downside? Customization is limited. You can only change the background and the specific elements the creator didn't pin, so for full creative control, you'll want to explore other options.

Method 2: The Ultimate Free Resource for Templates: Canva

For most creators, Canva is the holy grail of Story templates. It offers thousands of professionally designed, fully customizable templates for free. Whether you need a template for a product launch, a weekly Q&A session, or just a cool way to share a photo, Canva has you covered.

Step-by-Step Guide to Finding and Customizing Templates in Canva

Using Canva is incredibly straightforward. Here’s how to do it:

1. Create an account: Head over to Canva.com and sign up for a free account if you don't already have one. The free version provides more than enough resources to get started.
2. Search for templates: On the Canva homepage, use the search bar and type in "Instagram Story." You’ll instantly see thousands of templates in the correct 1080x1920 pixel format.
3. Filter your search: To narrow down the results, use the filter options on the left-hand side. You can filter by style (e.g., minimalist, modern, elegant), theme (e.g., sale, holiday, food), and most importantly, by price. Select the "Free" filter to hide the Pro-only options.
4. Select and customize: Click on a template you like to open it in an editor. This is where the magic happens. You can change everything:
   • Text: Double-click any text box to edit the content, change the font, size, or color.
   • Images: Drag and drop your own photos from the "Uploads" tab on the left, or search Canva’s massive library of free stock photos under the "Elements" tab.
   • Colors: Click on any background or element and use the color palette at the top to change its color. You can input your specific brand hex codes for perfect consistency.
   • Elements: Add or remove graphics, shapes, lines, or any other design elements.
5. Download and post: Once you're happy with your design, click the "Share" button in the top right corner, then "Download." Choose your file type (PNG or JPG is best for static images, MP4 for animated videos) and save it to your computer or send it directly to your phone via the Canva app.

Method 3: Dedicated Mobile Apps for Story Templates

If you're always creating on the go, a dedicated mobile app can be your best friend. These apps are specifically designed for creating stunning stories and often come packed with unique animations, fonts, and designs you won't find anywhere else.

Here are a few of the best apps out there:

• Mojo: If you love animated Stories, Mojo is for you. It specializes in dynamic templates that bring your text and images to life with slick animations. It's fantastic for catching your audience's eye and making your content feel more energetic. The free version is quite generous, but the pro version unlocks even more creative options.
• Unfold: Known for its clean, minimalist, and film-inspired aesthetic, Unfold is a favorite among photographers, travelers, and lifestyle bloggers. It excels at creating elegant photo collages and has a very user-friendly interface. Think digital scrapbook or modern Polaroid look.
• Prequel: While Prequel is widely known as a photo and video editor with trendy filters and effects (like the "cartoon" or "stardust" look), it also has a solid library of Story templates. It's a great all-in-one tool if you want to apply high-end effects and then fit them into a stylish layout.

Method 4: Finding Unique Templates on Creative Marketplaces

Want something that nobody else has? If you're looking for a completely unique design or have a specific aesthetic in mind, creative marketplaces are the way to go. You’ll have to pay, but the small investment often pays for itself in a high-quality, distinctive look.

Where to Look for Premium Templates

• Creative Market: This is a massive marketplace where independent graphic designers sell their work. You can find beautiful, fully customizable template packs for Instagram Stories. Most are sold as editable files for Canva or Adobe Photoshop. This is a great choice for businesses that want a polished visual identity without hiring a designer from scratch.
• Etsy: Not just for handmade crafts, Etsy has a booming digital products market. A quick search for "Instagram Story template" will bring up thousands of options sold by small creators. You'll often find niche themes and a personal touch that you might not get from larger platforms. Like Creative Market, these are usually delivered as Canva links or "template toolkits" you edit yourself.

Quick Tips for Choosing the Best Template for You

With so many options, how do you choose the right one? Keep these pointers in mind:

1. Define its Purpose: What do you want your Story to achieve? Are you announcing a sale, asking a question, sharing a behind-the-scenes look, or promoting a new blog post? Choose a template layout that supports that goal. For example, a Q&A template has different needs than a new product showcase.
2. Reflect Your Brand Vibe: The template should feel like you. If your brand is playful and bold, don't use a quiet, minimalist template. Make sure the fonts, color palette, and overall style align with your brand guidelines.
3. Prioritize Readability: A pretty design means nothing if your message is hard to read. Make sure there’s enough contrast between the text and the background, and don't choose overly decorative fonts that are difficult to scan quickly. Stories are fleeting, so clarity is king.
4. Leave Room for Your Content: Don't get so wowed by a template's design that you forget you need to add your own content. Ensure there are clear-cut spaces for your own photos, videos, and text that will work well together.

Final Thoughts

Finding Instagram Story templates is all about knowing where to look and picking designs that align with your brand's voice and goals. From Instagram’s built-in features to free-for-alls like Canva and specialized apps, there’s an entire ecosystem of tools ready to help you create professional, engaging content without the fuss.

Once your beautiful templates are designed, the next important task is scheduling your content in a sensible workflow. That’s why we built our platform to be refreshingly simple and modern. With Postbase, you can see all your content in one visual calendar, schedule everything across all your platforms in just a few clicks, and be confident that your posts - especially video formats like Stories and Reels - will actually publish on time, every time.