The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Stories Templates

Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours, but their impact can last much longer. The problem is, creating good Stories every day can be… a lot.

That’s why Instagram Story templates are a lifesaver. With the right templates, you can create polished, consistent content without spending hours designing each Story.

In this guide, we’ll break down what templates are, how to use them, and how to create your own custom designs that fit your brand perfectly (or download our free premade templates!).

What Are Instagram Story Templates?

Instagram Story templates are ready-made design layouts that you can customize with your own text, images, and branding. They help you maintain a consistent visual identity while saving tons of time on design work.

When we talk about Instagram Story templates, they come in two main varieties:

1. Native Instagram Story Templates

These built-in story templates are available directly inside the Instagram app. You can find them by tapping the “Add Yours” sticker — a popular feature that lets other users respond to your Story using the same template.

They’re designed to make content creation quick, fun, and interactive. You’ve likely seen popular versions like:

• “My top 5 photos this month”
• “Show your favorite song right now”
• “Weekend recap”‍

These interactive Instagram Story templates are perfect for joining trends, sparking engagement, and encouraging followers to share their own versions. When someone taps the “Add Yours” sticker on your Story, they can join in using the same layout. This creates a chain of content that boosts your reach and visibility.

2. Custom Instagram Story Templates

Custom templates are Story designs created usually using external tools like Canva, Adobe Express, or other Instagram design apps. They give you complete creative freedom to choose your colors, fonts, and layouts, so every Story matches your brand identity.

Brands and creators often build a library of reusable templates to speed up their content production and maintain a consistent aesthetic. You can also purchase editable template packs online and adapt them to your brand style.

⭐ Free Editable Canva Templates
Want a shortcut? Grab our free Instagram Story Templates Pack — fully editable in Canva and ready to customize with your colors, fonts, and content.

The beauty of templates is simple: you create the design framework once, then reuse it multiple times with different content. You design once, then reuse and adapt that layout as often as you like. Swap in new photos, change a headline, or adjust a background color without ever starting from scratch. This approach not only saves time but also helps you build brand recognition.

Why You Should Use Instagram Story Templates

Templates simplify your content creation process and help your brand stand out visually. Whether you use Instagram’s built-in interactive templates or custom-designed templates, the goal is the same:

• ‍Save valuable time: Templates let you produce multiple Stories in minutes instead of hours.
• Keeps your brand on point: By using the same fonts, colors, and layouts, you maintain a professional, cohesive look.
• Boosts engagement: Interactive templates invite followers to participate, increasing shares and visibility.
• Streamlines content creation: With templates ready to go, you can focus on storytelling instead of layout design.

Simply put, Instagram Story templates are a smart strategy for anyone who wants to post consistently, maintain quality, and grow their presence without creative burnout.

How to Find Templates Inside Instagram

Instagram's native templates are built for engagement. You can find them right in the app (not available on computers), and they’re super easy to use and perfect for creating interactive Stories.

How to Access Instagram's Template Library

1. Open Instagram app and tap the “+” icon in the top menu to open the Story camera.
2. Swipe up or tap the gallery icon to view your photo library.
3. At the top of the screen, choose “Add Yours” to access Instagram’s template library.
4. Browse categories such as Trending Prompts, Trending Templates, or International Hits and choose the one that fits your content.
5. Customize your template: edit the text, add stickers, include your own images or GIFs, and make it your own.
6. Share your Story once you’re happy with the design.

You can also use a template you find in someone else’s Story. If their post includes the “Add Yours” sticker, simply tap it to open the same template and create your own version.

It’s a quick way to join trends and increase engagement using Instagram Story templates that are already resonating with other users.

How to Create Instagram Story Templates

Creating your own Instagram Story templates lets you take full control of your brand’s visual identity and engagement strategy. When it comes to creating your own Instagram Story templates, you have two main options:

• Native Instagram Templates - built and shared directly inside the Instagram app.
• Custom Templates - created using design tools for full creative control.

Here’s how to create each type:

1. Creating Native Instagram Templates (Shareable Templates)

Native templates are fantastic for boosting engagement because they invite your audience to participate. When you create and share a native template, followers can tap “Add Yours” to use the same layout with their own content.

How to Create a Native Template on Instagram

1. Open Instagram and tap the ‘+’ icon, or swipe right to open the Story camera.
2. Swipe up and select the “Add Yours” option to access the Templates Library.
3. In the library, tap the ‘+’ icon to create your own template.
4. Customize your design by changing the layout, adding text, emojis, filters, or design elements.
5. Pin elements you want to include in your template and position the “Add Yours” sticker where it looks best.
6. Once you’re happy with your design, share it to your Story to publish.

Once your template is posted, followers can tap “Add Yours” to create their own versions using your layout and prompt. This creates a chain of interactive content that helps your template spread across Instagram—increasing visibility for both you and your audience.

2. Creating Custom Templates with Design Tools

Custom Instagram Story templates give you complete creative control. They’re perfect for branded, professional-looking content that you can reuse across campaigns and maintain consistency in your visuals.

You can either:

• Start with pre-made templates from design libraries, or
• Design your own from scratch for a completely unique look.

Option 1: Using Pre-Made Templates

If you want a fast, beginner-friendly option, pre-made templates are ideal. Platforms like Canva, Adobe Express, Creative Market and Etsy offer thousands of professionally designed Instagram Story templates.

They're especially helpful when you need templates quickly, want inspiration or design direction or simply want to maintain a cohesive aesthetic without starting from scratch.

To use them, simply choose a template pack that fits your brand style, customize the text, swap out images, update the colors and fonts, and save the design for ongoing use.

Option 2: Designing Your Own Templates from Scratch

If you want something totally unique, designing your own templates from scratch gives you complete creative freedom.

Let’s use Canva as an example to walk through the process.

Step-by-Step: Create Custom Instagram Story Templates in Canva

1. Open Canva and click (+) Create to start a new design.
2. Choose “Instagram Story” (1080 × 1920 px) as your format.
3. Customize your design by adding your brand colors, fonts, and logo.
   • Include backgrounds, text boxes, and image frames where you’ll later swap out visuals.
4. Save your template: Once you’re happy with the design, save it as a reusable layout or duplicate it for different Story types.
5. Download and upload: Export your design as a JPG or PNG, then upload it to your Instagram Story.
   • Once uploaded, you can add extra elements like stickers, hashtags, or music before sharing.

✅ Pro Tip: Keep a small library of templates ready—one for product launches, one for engagement posts, one for quotes, and so on. This speeds up content creation and keeps your Stories visually consistent and on-brand.

Story Template Design Tips

Follow these best practices to ensure your templates perform well:

• ‍Keep text large and readable: Stories are viewed quickly on small screens. Aim for at least 24px for body text and 40–60px for headlines.
• ‍Leave breathing room: Avoid clutter. Use proper padding so elements don’t feel cramped.
• ‍Use brand consistency: Repeat your: Colors, fonts, shapes, icons. This builds strong brand recognition.
• ‍Follow safe zones: Avoid placing important elements near the edges — IG interface buttons may cover them depending on the user device.
• ‍Use high-contrast combinations: Dark text on light backgrounds and vice versa keeps your Story readable.
• ‍Create multiple variations: Design templates for different content types: quotes, announcements, tips, promos, UGC, etc.

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Final Thoguts (+Download)

At the end of the day, Instagram Stories don’t need to be complicated. A handful of well-designed templates can save you hours, keep your visuals consistent, and take a lot of the pressure off showing up daily. Whether you’re jumping on Instagram’s native “Add Yours” trends or designing your own branded layouts, templates let you create standout Stories without burning out.

Start building your template library now and if you want a head start, grab our free Instagram Story Templates - editable in Canva. A great starting point if you want to customize your Stories without spending hours designing.