How to Make a Collage on Instagram Story

Adding more than one photo to a single Instagram Story completely changes the game for dynamic storytelling. Instead of tapping through multiple frames, you can combine images to create a visual narrative, show a before-and-after, or just get more creative. This tutorial will walk you through the three easiest ways to make a stunning collage directly within the Instagram app or with a little outside help.

Method 1: Using the Native Instagram "Layout" Feature

Years ago, you needed a separate app to create even the simplest photo grid. Today, Instagram has that functionality built right into the Story creation screen. The "Layout" feature is the fastest and most straightforward way to make a simple, clean collage.

It's perfect for when you need to quickly group a few photos without any fancy backgrounds or overlapping designs. Think of it as your go-to for clean, organized grids.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Layout

Follow these simple steps to create your first grid-style collage:

1. Open Instagram Stories: Swipe right from your home feed or tap your profile picture with a plus icon in the top left corner to open the Story creation camera.
2. Find the Layout Icon: On the left side of your screen, you’ll see a vertical menu of creative tools. Look for an icon that looks like a grid - this is the "Layout" tool. Tap it.
3. Choose Your Grid: After tapping the Layout icon, you’ll be given an option to change the grid style. Tap the "Change Grid" icon (it looks like a rectangle with subdivisions) just above the Layout icon to cycle through different configurations. You can choose from two, three, four, or six-photo grids in various arrangements.
4. Add Your Photos: Now it’s time to fill the grid. You have two options:
   • From your Camera Roll: Tap the small square icon with a plus sign in the bottom left corner to open your photo gallery. Select the first photo you want to add, and it will appear in the top-left section of your grid. Continue selecting photos for each empty space.
   • Take New Photos: Alternatively, you can capture photos in real-time. Just point your camera and tap the shutter button in the center to add a new photo to each segment of the grid.
5. Edit and Post: Once your grid is full, tap the checkmark button at the bottom center. From here, you’re back in the standard Story editor. You can now add text, stickers, GIFs, or music just like you would with any other Story. When you're happy with it, share it to your Story.

When to Use the Layout Feature

The Layout tool is ideal for side-by-side comparisons, showcasing a collection (like a product line or outfit details), or presenting a step-by-step process in a simple, linear way. While it lacks the artistic freedom of other methods, its simplicity is its greatest strength.

Method 2: The "Copy and Paste" Sticker Hack

If you find the Layout feature too restrictive and want complete creative control over the size, placement, and orientation of your photos, this method is for you. By using the copy-and-paste function on your phone, you can treat photos from your camera roll as stickers, allowing you to layer them however you want.

This approach gives you a scrapbook-style aesthetic, perfect for mood boards, photo dumps, or more artistic compositions.

How to Make a Collage with the Sticker Hack (for iPhone Users)

iPhone users have it easy with this one, as iOS has native copy-paste functionality between apps.

1. Start Your Story with a Background: Open Instagram Stories. You can take a new photo, select one from your gallery to use as a background, or use the "Create" mode (Aa icon) to select a solid or gradient color background.
2. Go to Your Photos App: Without closing Instagram, navigate to your iPhone’s Photos app. Find the first image you want to add to your collage.
3. Copy the Photo: Tap the "Share" icon (the square with an arrow pointing up) in the bottom-left corner and select "Copy Photo." Or, simply use two fingers to "pinch in" on the photo to copy it.
4. Return to Instagram: Switch back to the Instagram app. You'll see the copied image appear as a small pop-up on the bottom-left of your screen with the text "Add sticker." Tap it.
5. Position and Resize: The photo will now appear as a movable sticker on your Story. You can drag it, resize it with two fingers, and rotate it. A cool trick: tapping the sticker once will change its corner style (e.g., from square to rounded).
6. Rinse and Repeat: Continue this process - switching to your Photos app, copying an image, and pasting it back in Instagram - until your collage is complete. Add your finishing touches like text or GIFs and share.

How to Make a Collage with the Sticker Hack (for Android Users)

While Android doesn't have the same system-wide copy/paste for images, there's a straightforward workaround using Google's Gboard keyboard, which is the default keyboard on many Android phones or a free download from the Play Store.

1. Set Up a Background: Just like with the iPhone method, open Instagram Stories and set up your background color or image.
2. Open the Text Tool: Tap the "Aa" icon at the top of the screen to bring up your keyboard.
3. Access Your Photos in Gboard: Look for the sticker icon on your Gboard keyboard (it looks like a square smiley face). Tap it, then tap the photo gallery icon. You might need to grant the keyboard permission to access your photos.
4. Select Your Photos: Browse through your camera roll directly within the keyboard interface. Tap a photo, and Gboard will add it as a sticker onto your Story canvas.
5. Arrange and Customize: Just like a regular sticker, you can move, resize, rotate, and layer the photo anywhere on your Story.
6. Add More Photos: To add another picture, simply open the text tool again and repeat the process of selecting a photo from the Gboard gallery. Once done, add any other creative elements and post.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Design Apps

For the most professional-looking and polished collages, a dedicated design app is your best companion. These apps give you access to beautiful templates, curated fonts, unique stickers, and advanced editing tools that go far beyond what Instagram offers natively.

This is the method to use when you want a signature look for your brand, want to pre-plan your Stories, or just enjoy the process of designing something truly unique.

Top Apps for Creating Instagram Story Collages

1. Canva

Canva is a powerhouse design tool that’s incredibly user-friendly. It has a massive library of Instagram Story templates specifically designed for collages. You can just drop your photos into the pre-made layouts, customize the colors to match your brand, change the text, and add graphic elements. Once finished, you can download the high-resolution image or video and upload it directly to your Instagram Story.

• Best For: Marketers and creators who want professional, brand-aligned Story designs with minimal effort.
• The Process: Search "Instagram Story Collage" in Canva's template library, select a design, upload your photos into the frames, modify the text, and download.

2. Unfold

Unfold is beloved by influencers and creators for its minimalist and elegant design templates. The app focuses on chic, film-inspired layouts that make your content look like a page from a high-end magazine. They offer collections of templates with consistent aesthetics, so you can create a cohesive series of Stories that feel like a single, unified narrative.

• Best For: Lifestyle bloggers, photographers, and anyone aiming for a sophisticated and cohesive aesthetic.
• The Process: Open the app, choose a template collection (like "Clasico" or "Film"), select a layout, tap the placeholders to add your photos and videos, and export the entire Story to upload.

3. PicCollage

If you're looking for fun, playful, and scrapbook-style designs, PicCollage is a fantastic choice. The app gives you total freedom with a "freestyle" mode, where you can arrange photos on a blank canvas, add cute stickers, choose from hundreds of colorful backgrounds, and draw on your creation. They also offer grid layouts and animated templates to make your Stories pop.

• Best For: Anyone wanting a more scrapbook-y, fun, and energetic vibe. Great for personal use, event recaps, or brands with a playful personality.
• The Process: Choose a grid or go freestyle. Import your photos, then use the app's powerful tools to resize, cut out photos, add text with unique fonts, and decorate with animated stickers before saving to your camera roll.

Why Story Collages Are So Effective for Engagement

Knowing how to make a collage is one thing, but understanding why they work is what will elevate your social media strategy. Collages aren't just for looks, they serve a practical purpose.

• They Condense Information: Instead of making your audience tap through ten separate photos of a product, you can show multiple angles, colorways, and lifestyle shots in a single, visually appealing frame.
• They Tell a Better Story: You can create a micro-narrative in one frame. Show a "before," "during," and "after" of a project. Post a series of photos from an event to capture the overall vibe. Share steps in a recipe side-by-side.
• They Increase Views: A well-designed, information-rich collage can stop users from tapping past your Story. It encourages them to pause and look closer at what you've compiled, increasing the time spent on your content.
• They're a Great Way to Share User-Generated Content: Have multiple customers sending you great photos? A collage is the perfect way to feature several of them at once, making your community feel seen and appreciated without flooding your Stories.

Whether you're using a quick grid, a creative sticker pile, or a professional template, creating collages is an essential skill for anyone looking to build a more interesting and engaging presence on Instagram.

Final Thoughts

Creating eye-catching collages for your Instagram Stories is easy once you know the options available, from Instagram’s simple built-in layout feature to the limitless creativity of third-party apps. Experiment with all three methods to find the workflow that best fits your style and goals.

Once you get comfortable creating beautiful content, keeping a consistent posting schedule is what truly builds momentum. At Postbase, we designed our platform specifically for the visual-first nature of social media today. With our intuitive visual calendar, you can plan and schedule your Stories, Reels, and TikToks weeks ahead. We focus on reliability and features that truly matter for modern creators, so you can share your best content consistently without the last-minute stress.