The small round images beneath your profile header look inconspicuous, but they shape the first impression of your account. Instead of the automatically adopted default image, you can give each highlight its own cover image that fits your topic or your mood. In this guide, I show you how to create such a cover with Canva and how the same process works with the Adobe Spark app. You don't need any design experience for this, just a bit of enthusiasm for experimenting.
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Key Takeaways
- Custom highlight covers make your profile more cohesive and professional.
- Canva offers ready-made story formats, backgrounds, and graphics that let you achieve a result in just a few minutes.
- You download the finished image, transfer it to your smartphone, and set it as the cover image in the highlight.
- Adobe Spark (now continued under the name Adobe Express) allows the same process directly on your phone.
- A harmonious color scheme ensures that all covers match.
Step 1: Choose the Story Format in Canva
Open Canva in your browser or in the app and search for the "Instagram Story" format. Select it so that your design is set up in the correct portrait format from the start. An empty canvas will then appear, on which you can design freely.
Step 2: Set the Background and Color
In the next step, you give the design a background. Think beforehand about which color suits your profile, and select it as a solid color fill. A calm, uniform background color ensures that the motif in the foreground stands out well. Make sure the contrast between the background and the graphic is sufficient.
Step 3: Insert a Graphic via Elements
Under the "Elements" section and the "Graphics" or "Illustrations" category, you will find a large selection of motifs. Many of them are free, while others are premium content. Try out several variations until you find one you like. In the video, a small flower is used. Drag the motif onto the canvas, shrink it using the corner points, and place it in the center. A single, clear motif looks much better in the small circle than lots of details.
Step 4: Download the Cover and Transfer It to Your Smartphone
In Canva, click the "Download" button at the top right and choose an image format such as PNG or JPG. To get the file onto your phone, you can send it to yourself via message, email, or a cloud service. Then save the image in your gallery so that you can select it in the Instagram app.
Step 5: Set the Cover Image in the Highlight
Open your profile in the Instagram app and tap the existing highlight. At the bottom, select "More" and then "Edit Highlight." There you will see the title and the current cover image. Tap "Edit Cover," select your new image from the gallery, and adjust the crop by enlarging, shrinking, or moving it. Once you save, the new cover appears in your profile.
Step 6: Start an Alternative with Adobe Spark
If you prefer to work directly on your smartphone, Adobe Spark is a good alternative. The app is available for free for iOS and Android. In the app, tap the plus icon to create a new image, and choose a solid color. Then determine the desired color, such as a vivid blue, and choose "Instagram Story" as the format. Your canvas is now ready for the actual motif.
Step 7: Insert an Icon from the Library
The text that Adobe Spark suggests by default is not needed. Remove it using the delete function. Then tap the icon field to open the library. Search for a term that fits your highlight, such as the word "Spar," as in the video. Select an icon and place it in the center of the canvas. The search often returns many variations, so you can specifically find the motif that best fits your topic.
Step 8: Export as PNG and transfer to the Highlight
Download your image as a PNG. This format preserves transparent areas, which is advantageous for icons. Save the file on your smartphone and then open the Highlight in the Instagram app. Select "More," then "Edit Highlight," and then "Edit Cover." Tap "New Image," select your file, and confirm. The old cover will be replaced, and the new cover is visible immediately. Anyone who taps the Highlight sees the story as usual.
Step 9: Use further design options
If you want more creative freedom, you can draw your own graphics with programs like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. Self-created motifs set you apart from the crowd because hardly anyone else uses them. Platforms like Creative Market also offer templates and graphic packs. Check the license terms for every source, especially if you want to use the graphics commercially.
Summary – Designing Instagram Highlight Covers: Step-by-Step Guide with Canva
A custom Highlight cover can be created in just a few steps: You choose the story format in Canva or Adobe Spark, give the design a suitable background color, and add a clear motif. Then you export the image as a file, transfer it to your smartphone, and set it as the cover in the Instagram app. If you stick to a consistent color scheme, your entire profile looks cohesive and high-quality. Feel free to try out the design several times until your result fits your brand.
FAQ
Do I need a paid account on Canva to design Highlight covers?No, with a free account you can use story formats, backgrounds, and many free graphics, whereas premium content is paid.
What size should a Highlight cover be?Use the "Instagram Story" format in portrait orientation, as Instagram then displays the image in a circle. Therefore, place important motifs in the center.
Can I still change the cover of a Highlight later?Yes, you can replace or adjust it at any time via "Edit Highlight" without losing the content of the story.
Do I absolutely have to save the image as a PNG?No, JPG works as well. However, PNG is recommended if your motif has transparent areas.
