Instagram Stories have become the way to share something with your followers on a daily basis. Whether it is a snapshot, an announcement or a creative expression – with Stories you reach your audience quickly and directly. But many people wonder: how do you actually change the background of an Instagram Story? And how do you adjust colors, photos or videos to make your story that little bit more beautiful?
In this comprehensive guide, you will learn step by step how to customize the background of your Instagram Story, both with color and with photos or videos. We also explain how to use creative tools, and whether you can still edit your story after you post it.
📌 Why is the background of your Instagram Story important?
The background of your Story is the first thing people notice – it largely determines the look and feel of your post. Whether you are promoting a product, sharing a personal update or just want to showcase a quote: a well-chosen background makes your story more visually appealing as well as more professional.
Benefits of a custom background:
- Your story stands out more quickly in the crowd.
- It fits your corporate identity or branding better.
- You draw more attention to your text or image.
- It simply looks more creative and neat.
🎨 Adjust background color on Instagram Stories
When you share something in your Story, such as a repost or text message, you can easily change the background color. Here’s how to do it:
🔧 Method 1: Color matching a text story
- Open Instagram and swipe right to create a Story.
- Select “Text” at the top or bottom of the screen.
- Type your message.
- Tap the colored ball at the top to scroll through the colors.
- Choose a background color that matches your message.
Want a specific color? Then you can tap the pipette to select a color from your photo – handy if you want to use branding colors.
🔧 Method 2: Set color on reposts
For example, if you share a post from your feed or someone else’s Story:
- Share the post via your Story.
- Hold your finger on the empty background area for a moment.
- The app then shows an option to change the color with the color palette at the top.
Note that this method does not always work the same way for all types of content (for example, reels or IGTV previews).
🖼️ Using a photo as the background of your Instagram Story
Would you rather have a photo as your background instead of a solid color? Then you need to be a little more creative, as Instagram does not offer this option by default. Fortunately, there are handy tricks to get this done anyway.
📷 Method 1: Upload photo and image on top of it
- Open Instagram > Create Story.
- Select a background photo from your gallery.
- Tap the sticker icon and choose “Photo” (available only on iPhone, Android users can use a workaround).
- Add an additional photo, logo or image on top of your background.
This method is ideal for montages, collages or product presentations.
📷 Method 2: Through another app (such as Canva or Mojo)
For more control over your layout, we recommend using an app like Canva, Unfold, or Mojo. These allow you to:
- Choose a template that fits your content perfectly.
- Customize colors, shapes, pictures and text layers.
- Then export your design and upload it as a story on Instagram.
🎞️ Using a video or GIF as a background
Want to really stand out? Then use a short video or a moving GIF as your background.
🎬 Here’s how you do it:
- Open your gallery and choose a short video (maximum 15 seconds).
- Upload it in your Instagram Story.
- Add text, stickers or other elements over the video.
💡 Pro tip: Use a video of such things as rain, fireworks, neon lights or typography animations for a dynamic effect.
✂️ Editing Instagram Story after posting – is it possible?
A common question is: can you edit an Instagram Story after you post it? Unfortunately, the answer is: no, you cannot edit a story directly after it is posted.
What you can do:
- Delete the story and repost with modifications.
- Save the story and upload it again later.
- Possibly pin an enhanced version via Instagram Highlights.
💡 Tip: Always save your story before publishing it. Then you can always reuse it or update it.
✍️ Creative tips for your background design
Want to take your stories to the next level? Here are some creative ideas to use your background effectively:
🧠 Think in layers
Use the background as the base, and place above it:
- Text
- Emojis
- Stickers
- Photos or gifs
🖌️ Use transparent overlays
In Canva or Photoshop, you can put a semi-transparent layer (for example, black with 30% coverage) over a photo. That way your background remains visible, but your text comes out better.
💡 Stay consistent
Always use the same colors or templates to keep your brand recognizable.
❓ Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How do you change the background of an Instagram Story with text?
Tap the color bullet while creating a text story to choose a different background color.
Can I set a photo as the background?
Not directly through Instagram, but you can first upload a photo and place text or other images above it.
How do I change the background of a shared post in my Story?
Hold down the screen until the color palette appears, then choose a new color.
Can I edit my story after publication?
No, you can’t edit it but you can delete it and repost it.
What apps are useful for story backgrounds?
Canva, Mojo, Unfold and Adobe Express are ideal for creating custom stories.
📲 Summary
Customizing the background of your Instagram Story is a simple way to make your stories more visually appealing and unique. Whether you use a solid color, upload a photo or work with videos and GIFs – you have countless options to get creative.
Key points in a row:
- You can adjust the background color through the color palette.
- Having a photo as a background requires a little workaround (or external app).
- Videos and animations make your stories more dynamic.
- Editing after posting is not possible – so think ahead.
With a little practice and creativity, you can create Stories that look professional AND really stand out in the stream of content.
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