How to Make Graphics for Instagram

Creating stunning Instagram graphics doesn't require a design degree or a massive budget. With a clear strategy and the right tools, you can produce professional-looking visuals that stop the scroll and build your brand. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from establishing your visual identity to a step-by-step process for making your first graphic.

First Things First: Nail Down Your Visual Brand Identity

Before you even think about opening a design app, you need a plan. Jumping straight into creating graphics without a cohesive look is like building a house without a blueprint - the end result will feel chaotic and disconnected. A strong visual identity ensures every post feels like it comes from you.

Define Your Color Palette

Your colors are the foundation of your brand's personality. Don't just pick your favorites, think about the emotions they evoke. Are you an earthy, calm brand (think muted greens and tans) or a bold, energetic one (vibrant pinks and blues)?

• Choose 3-5 Core Colors: Pick a primary color, a secondary color, and one or two accent colors. This gives you enough variety without overwhelming your audience.
• Find Inspiration: Use tools like Coolors or Adobe Color to generate palettes from a single color or an inspiring image. You can also look at brands you admire to see how they use color effectively.
• Use Hex Codes: Every color has a unique code (e.g., #FFFFFF for white). Keep these codes handy to ensure absolute consistency across all your designs.

Select Your Brand Fonts

Typography can completely change the feel of a graphic. The fonts you choose should be easy to read and reflect your brand's voice. A law firm and a streetwear brand will have very different font choices.

• Pick a Header Font: This is for big, attention-grabbing text. It can be more decorative, like a script or a bold serif, but should still be legible.
• Pick a Body Font: This is for smaller paragraphs and longer text. Prioritize readability above all else. A clean, simple sans-serif like Montserrat, Poppins, or Open Sans is almost always a safe bet.
• The Rule of Two: Stick to two, or at most three, fonts for your entire brand. This simplicity looks professional and helps your audience recognize your content instantly.

Establish a Mood and a Style

What feeling do you want people to have when they see your posts? Your visual style ties everything together. This includes the types of images you use (e.g., bright and airy vs. dark and moody), your use of elements like icons or illustrations, and the amount of "negative space" (the empty areas) you leave in your designs. Create a mini brand board with your colors, fonts, logo, and a few inspiration images to keep yourself on track.

Choosing the Best Design Tools for You

The market is full of design tools, each catering to different needs and skill levels. You don't need the most expensive software to make great graphics, you just need the one that works best for your workflow.

For Most People: The All-in-One Online Editors

These browser-based tools are perfect for entrepreneurs, marketers, and creators who need to make awesome content quickly without a steep learning curve.

• Canva: The undisputed champion of accessible design. Canva offers thousands of pre-made Instagram templates you can customize in minutes. Its drag-and-drop interface, massive library of stock photos and elements, and Brand Kit feature (where you can store your colors and fonts) make staying on-brand incredibly easy.
• Adobe Express: Adobe's answer to Canva, Express is another fantastic free option. It integrates well with the Adobe ecosystem and has powerful features like AI-powered background removal and simple animation tools. It's a great choice if you're already familiar with other Adobe products.

For the Pros: The Industry Standards

If you have some design experience or want total creative control, stepping up to professional-grade software might be the right move.

• Adobe Photoshop &, Illustrator: The powerful duo for designers. Photoshop is king for photo editing and manipulating raster images, while Illustrator is the go-to for vector graphics like logos and icons. While they offer limitless possibilities, they come with a significant learning curve and a subscription cost.
• Figma: While primarily known as a UI/UX design tool, Figma is an incredibly powerful and collaborative tool for creating social media graphics. Its component-based system is perfect for creating reusable on-brand templates for your team. Many social media managers now prefer it over Adobe.

The Anatomy of a High-Impact Instagram Graphic

Every great graphic shares a few core principles. Master these, and you'll instantly elevate the quality of your content. Let's break down the essential building blocks.

Get the Sizing Right

Uploading a graphic with the wrong dimensions can result in blurry, cropped, or awkward-looking posts. Here are the most common sizes to keep handy:

• Feed Post (Square): 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 ratio)
• Feed Post (Portrait): 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 ratio). This is highly recommended as it takes up more screen real estate.
• Instagram Story / Reel: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 ratio)
• Carousel Posts: Use any of the feed post dimensions. Just create multiple graphics of the same size.

Master Visual Hierarchy

Visual hierarchy is the art of arranging elements to guide the viewer's eye through your content in order of importance. Without it, your graphic is just a jumble of text and images.

• The Hook (Most Important): This is the first thing people should see - your main headline or a striking image. Make it the biggest, boldest thing on the canvas.
• The Details (Second Importance): This is secondary information, like subheadings or brief descriptions. It should be smaller than The Hook but still easily readable.
• The Fine Print (Least Important): Your username, website, or other minor details should be the smallest element, tucked away neatly so they don't distract a scroller.

Clarity Over Clutter

You have about three seconds to grab someone's attention on Instagram. If your graphic is packed with too much text, competing colors, or confusing imagery, they will scroll right past it. The most powerful designs are often the simplest.

Embrace negative space - the empty area around your text and images. Giving your elements room to breathe makes your message clearer and your entire design feel more polished and professional.

Step-by-Step Guide: Let's Create a Simple Quote Graphic in Canva

Let's put this into practice. A simple quote graphic is a perfect way to start, as it relies heavily on typography and spacing. Here's a quick walkthrough.

1. Choose Your Format: Log in to Canva and on the homepage, search for "Instagram Post (Portrait)." This sets up your canvas at the optimal 1080x1350 px size.
2. Set Your Brand Colors: Click on the canvas, then the color swatch in the top-left corner. If you have your Brand Kit set up, your palette will be right there. If not, click "Add a new color" and paste your primary brand color's hex code to set the background.
3. Add Your Text: On the left-hand menu, click "Text." Add a heading for the quote itself. Select the font and size. Remember your hierarchy - the quote should be the hero of the graphic. Add a subheading for the author of the quote and make it smaller and perhaps a different weight (e.g., light or italic).
4. Refine and Align: Drag your text boxes into place. Is the quote centered? Is there enough space around the edges? Use Canva's alignment tools (the purple guidelines that appear) to make sure everything is perfectly balanced.
5. Add Your Logo or Username: Add another small text box for your Instagram handle (@yourbusiness). Place it discreetly in a corner. It should be present but not overpowering.
6. Download: Click "Share" in the top-right, then "Download." A PNG file is usually best for graphics with lots of solid color and text. You're now ready to post!

This same basic process applies to any graphic you create, whether it's a promotional banner or a multi-slide carousel. Start with the right foundation, add your core message, and polish it with your brand elements.

Common Types of Instagram Graphics to Inspire You

Not sure what to create? Here are a few proven formats that deliver value and drive engagement.

• Tip Carousels: Carousels are king for engagement. Create a compelling title slide, then use the following slides to break down a concept, share 3-5 tips, or tell a behind-the-scenes story.
• Checklists and "How-To" Graphics: People love savable content. A simple checklist or a quick tutorial graphic provides immense value and encourages your audience to hit that save button, signaling to Instagram that your content is high-quality.
• Bold Text Graphics: Sometimes, the message is everything. A single, powerful statement or question on a branded background can be incredibly effective for starting conversations in the comments.
• Infographics: If you have data to share, simplify it into a clear, visually appealing infographic. Use icons, charts, and brand colors to make complex information digestible and shareable.
• Behind-the-Scenes or Team Photos: Don't forget the human element! Overlaying text on a photo of your team or workspace can help humanize your brand and build a stronger connection with your audience.

Final Thoughts

Making compelling Instagram graphics comes down to three things: a consistent brand identity, the right tools for your skill level, and a solid understanding of basic design principles. By focusing on clarity, hierarchy, and value, you can create a feed that not only looks amazing but also helps you build a loyal and engaged community.

Once you've designed a batch of beautiful graphics, seamlessly bringing your content strategy to life is the next step. Our visual calendar in Postbase makes it easy to schedule posts in advance. You can drag and drop your finished designs, see your entire feed for the weeks ahead at a glance, and trust that everything will publish reliably so you can stay focused on a single task: creating great content.