How to Create Stunning Instagram Highlight Covers
Instagram is more than just a platform for sharing photos — it’s also your digital brand. Whether you’re an influencer, business, or creative, using Instagram Highlight covers can instantly make your profile look more professional, organized, and eye-catching. In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to create stunning Instagram Highlight covers that reflect your personal or brand style.
What Are Instagram Highlight Covers?
Instagram Highlight covers are the small circular images that appear on your profile, above your photo grid. They represent the stories you’ve saved in Highlights and act like a visual menu for your content. Customizing them helps you attract viewers and keep your profile clean and on-brand.
Why Are Highlight Covers Important?
- Professional Appearance: Clean, uniform highlight covers instantly make your profile look more curated and professional.
- Brand Identity: They help reinforce your brand colors, style, and tone.
- Improved Navigation: Viewers can easily identify content by category (e.g., Travel, Tips, Reviews).
How to Create Instagram Highlight Covers
1. Plan Your Categories
Start by listing out the main topics you want to feature in your Highlights. Common categories include:
- Travel
- Food
- Tutorials
- Reviews
- Behind the Scenes
- Q&A
2. Choose a Color Scheme and Icon Style
Stick to a consistent color palette and icon design that matches your brand aesthetic. Minimalist icons, pastel tones, or bold neon colors — choose what fits your personality or brand.
3. Use Design Tools Like Canva or Adobe Express
Tools like Canva, Adobe Express, or even mobile apps like Over and PicsArt make it super easy to design highlight covers. Just:
- Choose a 1080x1080px canvas (Instagram-friendly size)
- Add a background color
- Place a centered icon or graphic
- Download the image in high quality
4. Upload to Instagram
To add the covers:
- Go to your Instagram profile
- Tap on a Highlight → More (•••) → Edit Highlight
- Tap “Edit Cover”
- Select the new image from your gallery
Tip: You don’t have to add the cover image to your Story first; you can upload it directly from your gallery.
Where to Find Ready-to-Use Highlight Covers
If you’re short on time or don’t want to design from scratch, you can easily find pre-made covers online. You can try this resource for Instagram highlight covers download — it offers a variety of free and premium cover designs ready to use.
Best Practices for Highlight Covers
- Keep it Simple: Avoid cluttered designs; icons should be clear and easy to understand.
- Match Your Theme: Use your brand’s font, colors, and style consistently.
- Limit Text: Icons work better than text due to small size visibility.
Final Thoughts
Creating stunning Instagram Highlight covers doesn’t require a graphic design degree — just a clear plan, the right tools, and a bit of creativity. Whether you’re showcasing your travels, tutorials, or business updates, the right Highlight covers can make your profile stand out and leave a lasting impression.
