Content Writer
Did you know that starting your content creation process with an Instagram Story template can significantly cut out time and effort from your daily social media tasks?
Instagram’s 1.28 billion users are always looking for high-quality content and so Instagram Story templates are an awesome way to make your brand stand out from the rest. The power of templates is that they provide brands and creators with an easy-to-use, customizable design structure.
In this article, we will show you why Instagram Story templates are so useful and how you can create your own. We’ll also provide a list of the top 10 types of Instagram Story templates you need to start using right now, as well as the top five best free Instagram Story sources that are currently available online.
Access free, customizable Instagram Story templates for quicker content creation.
What Are Instagram Story Templates?
Instagram Story templates are pre-made graphics that can be used as a way to stay consistent with your visual identity, and reduce time while creating new Stories. They are very helpful for creating unique and stunning visuals, as they come in a variety of customizable designs, colors, fonts, and layouts.
Templates make it easy for anyone to create professional-looking content without graphic design expertise or expensive software. In addition, there are free graphic design software options that can also be a good option for those on a tight budget.
Why You Should Use Templates for Instagram Stories?
There are several reasons why you should start using Instagram Story templates. It’s important to stay ahead of the curve and make your Instagram profile stand out.
Here are the top three reasons why you should use Instagram Story templates:
- Look professional
- Save time
- Be consistent with your brand aesthetic
1. Look Professional
With just a few clicks, any Instagram Story can look professional. Start collecting free Instagram Story templates designed by skilled graphic designers and adapt them to your brand aesthetic. Soon enough, your audience will be able to tell the difference between you and your main competitors.
2. Save Time
Templates are a great way to save time and focus on other tasks that require your full attention.
Having pre-made Instagram Story templates can make the whole creation process much faster. Post beautiful Stories in less time, you don’t have to struggle to get the look right each time by starting from scratch.
3. Be Consistent with Your Brand Aesthetic
Templates are a great way to familiarize your target audience with your brand colors, fonts, and graphics. Engaging Stories will always require your brand’s style.
Create content that follows the same look and feel as your overall Instagram page. This type of visual consistency will help you familiarize your followers with your aesthetic, making them more likely to recognize your brand.
How to Create Your Own Instagram Stories Templates with Canva
If pre-made Instagram Stories templates are not your thing, you can always create your own. It might take some time and effort, but it’s guaranteed to pay off in the long run. Besides, Canva is a free photo editing tool that has your back.
Here are five steps to create gorgeous story templates with Canva:
- Adjust your Instagram Story size
- Add a background
- Add text and graphics
- Customize it for your brand
- Import your story to SocialBee and share it on Instagram
1. Adjust Your Instagram Story Size
Create free Instagram templates with Canva and watch your engagement skyrocket to new heights.
Luckily, Canva offers a diverse range of photo sizes, making it easy for you to create professional-looking Stories that have the optimal aspect ratio (1080×1920 pixels).
2. Add a Background
Adding a unique background to your new template is easy whenever Canva is involved. Make custom Instagram Story templates to fit your brand’s look and feel by choosing from a variety of backgrounds.
To add a background to a template with Canva, you must click on “Background” in the left-side panel to open up Canva’s image library. Here you can search for any kind of background images, from solid colors, free images, or illustrations. If you’re using Picsart, you can also use the background texture generator to create your own custom background textures and patterns, giving your designs a unique and personalized look.
3. Add Text and Graphics
Text and graphics are the ultimate way to customize your designs. They add valuable information and enhance the aesthetic appeal of your templates.
Here are three steps for adding text to your template with Canva:
- Select ‘Add Text’ from the menu on the left side of the screen
- Type or paste in any text you wish to appear on your template
- Customize the text by changing its font, color, size, alignment, effects, and more
Also, Canva has more than a million assets you can use to customize your Story template, or you can upload your own content from your computer or device.
🐝 Pro Tip: Always make sure to use your brand’s specific colors and fonts. That way, you’ll always stay true to your brand and become instantly recognizable whenever people visit your Instagram page or check your Stories.
4. Customize It for Your Brand
Even free templates need some adjustments before they’re ready to go live on the Instagram app. The designs you create from scratch need some customization in order to be congruent with your brand image.
Here are three ways to customize the template for your brand:
- Add your brand logo (upload it to Canva library)
- Use your brand color palette by creating a Brand Kit
- Select your brand fonts
5. Import Your Story to SocialBee and Share It on Instagram
Once you’re done enhancing the template, make sure to download it in PNG format. Then, use SocialBee to help you publish your new story at the best times.
Here is how you can share Instagram Stories with SocialBee:
- Choose a content category and click on “Add post to this category”
- Upload your Story content or generate content using SocialBee’s Canva integration
- Once you’re done creating your Story using SocialBee’s Canva integration, click the “Add in SocialBee” button in the upper-right corner of the screen
- Click on the “Customize for each profile” button
- Select the “Story” button
- Tap on “Save Post”
The best part about using SocialBee to post on Instagram? You can have direct access to Canva’s Instagram Story templates. Open your Content editor, and click on the Canva button to create your Stories from SocialBee.
Design and import your Canva Instagram Story designs directly to SocialBee.
Design and Schedule Your Instagram Stories with SocialBee!
Types of Helpful Instagram Story Templates
We know how difficult it can be to browse Canva’s multitude of templates and not know where to start, especially when you’re running a small business. There are multiple, customizable templates that are worth trying out whenever you need to share updates with your followers.
Here are the top 10 types of helpful Instagram story templates on Canva:
- Limited-time promotions
- Product features
- Giveaways and contests
- Countdowns
- News, announcements & updates
- Blog post feature
- How-to stories
- Data and statistics
- Quotes and motivational captions
- Instagram story ad templates
1. Limited-Time Promotions
Limited-time promotions are a great way to promote your Stories. The notorious fear of missing out (FOMO) continues to motivate audiences to take action right away.
Instagram Story templates can be used to promote these limited-time offers, helping you capture attention and increase your engagement. Learn how to master text and images with Canva’s pre-mades.
2. Product Features
Your products deserve to be in the spotlight. Create beautiful templates and use modern design to your products’ advantage.
These three examples of fully customizable Canva templates detail the characteristics of your products in a way that is both persuasive and visual. The design elements are eye-catching and memorable.
3. Giveaways and Contests
Conduct Instagram giveaways and contests confidently and engage with your followers. You can use Instagram Story templates to promote your contests and share a link where users can enter the competition.
You can also showcase the prizes and offer daily reminders for when the promotion will end. As always, make sure to replace the given titles and captions with your own text.
4. Countdowns
Countdowns have become increasingly popular. Instagram Story templates allow you to create a countdown for upcoming events or milestones. Replace the text and images in a way you see fit.
Countdowns are important because they fuel excitement among your followers. You can also use the Countdown sticker and allow your audience to save the date for later.
5. News, Announcements & Updates
Instagram feeds are becoming a thing of the past. 70% of Instagram users watch Instagram Stories.
Share updates and announcements on Instagram is quickly becoming the perfect way to reach your followers. Thankfully, there are a number of Instagram Story templates available that can help you achieve this goal.
6. Blog Post Feature
In need of more templates? Here are some great Instagram Story designs for promoting a new blog post and engaging with your followers.
Start creating informative templates that allows your followers to get engaged with your latest blog posts.
7. How-to Stories
Informative and educational content will always stay relevant. In fact, it’s evergreen. How-to stories are the perfect idea if you want to keep your audiences engaged.
Make sure to customize your how-to templates with bold fonts, attractive photos, and eye-catching listicles. Save them to your Highlights so that they can be easily accessed by your followers.
8. Data and Statistics
Instagram Story templates can be enhanced with statistics because they provide your followers with an interesting and visually appealing way to learn more about your brand, products, or services.
Stories are the perfect way to share those stats in a creative way. With Instagram Story templates, you can create stunning graphics that highlight facts and figures related to your business.
9. Quotes and Motivational Captions
Share inspiring quotes with your Instagram followers and provide your audience with their daily dose of motivation. Replace the existing quotes with your own text and create stunning visuals for your socials.
Create beautiful visuals that allow you to emphasize the message of your inspirational Stories and impress your followers with your ability to propel positivity.
10. Instagram Story Ad Templates
Sharing ads via Instagram Stories is an effective strategy to reach more customers that already follow you and have a higher conversion probability. Use professional designs that features bold visuals and strategic text to better highlight the promotion, discount code, voucher, etc.
Advertising on Instagram can be a breeze once you start using Instagram story templates for your next ads. If you’re a small business, templates will give your competitors a run for their money.
The Best Free Instagram Story Templates Sources Available
To make your work easier, you’ll need to bookmark some awesome resources for future reference.
Here are the best free Instagram Story templates sources available:
- Canva
- PicMonkey
- InVideo
- Kapwing
- Freepik
1. Canva
Canva is a powerful graphic design tool that makes creating Instagram Story templates very easy.
With Canva, you can create Instagram Stories and customize your fonts, colors, images, and videos. You can also access the Canva library of pre-made Instagram Story templates, graphics, and stock photos that help you create Instagram Stories in a matter of minutes.
2. PicMonkey
One of the leading sources is PicMonkey. This Shutterstock-powered website that allows you to create Instagram Stories with stylishly designed templates.
Plus, it allows you to add text, textures, and even your own photos to the templates. Make your Instagram Stories look just how you want them to.
3. InVideo
With InVideo, you can customize existing templates in a matter of minutes and share new Stories in style.
InVideo’s drag-and-drop editor lets you customize your Instagram Stories quickly, ensuring that the final result is flawless.
4. Kapwing
Kapwing is a free online tool that offers free and customizable templates for your future stories. Their static and video templates are great for brands and creators who wish to engage their Instagram audience.
With Kapwing, you can create and customize your Instagram Story with text, images, videos, stickers, and more – all in one place.
5. Freepik
Freepik has a large selection of high-quality story template vectors that are designed to help you create memorable Instagram stories. If you love Photoshop, this is the resource for you.
The designs come with customizable elements such as fonts, colors, sizes, logos, and backgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do You Get Templates for Instagram Stories?
You can get templates for your Instagram Stories by using resources like Canva, PicMonkey, InVideo, Kapwing, or Freepik or by creating your own Instagram Story template from scratch.
2. Can You Use Layout for Instagram Stories?
Yes, you can use Layout for Instagram Stories. To start, access the Instagram app, tap the Plus (+) button on your Story, select Camera, and select Layout from the left-side menu.
3. Which App Is Best for Creating Instagram Stories?
At the moment, the best app for creating Instagram Stories is Canva. Its free templates are fully customizable, easy to download, and quick to share.
Start Creating Engaging Stories With Less Effort
Instagram Story templates can be used to create visually appealing stories, encourage conversations with followers, reach a wider audience, and even promote products. There are plenty of free Instagram Story template sources available online.
Ready to streamline your Instagram content creation process? SocialBee is the tool for you! With direct access to our integrations, such as Canva, Unsplash, and GIPHY, it’s never been easier to curate visuals.
Share content faster than ever before with SocialBee’s 14-day free trial today!
Access free, customizable Instagram Story templates for quicker content creation.
Customizable tone of voice 
Several variations to choose from 
1,000 pre-made AI prompts