Instagram has become a pivotal platform for personal branding, marketing, and creative expression. Among its many features, Instagram Story Highlights stand out as a powerful tool for curating content and sharing timeless messages from stories that typically disappear after 24 hours. To make the most of your highlights, you’ll need the right tools that allow for visual consistency, customization, and storytelling precision. In this article, we will explore the best tools for creating impressive Instagram Story Highlights that reflect your brand or personal style.
1. Canva
Canva is an industry-leading graphic design platform favored by both beginners and professionals. It offers an array of templates specifically designed for Instagram Story Highlights, allowing users to create polished and visually stunning designs with minimal effort.
- User-Friendly Interface: Drag-and-drop mechanics make custom design accessible even without prior experience.
- Extensive Library: Icons, fonts, and illustrations tailored for Instagram use.
- Customization: Easily brand designs with your own colors, logos, and text styles.
With Canva, you can create a unified aesthetic across all your highlights—ideal for influencers, marketers, and small businesses looking to maintain a cohesive identity.
2. Adobe Express (formerly Adobe Spark)
Adobe Express is another excellent tool that supports the creation of Instagram Highlight covers and stories with professional-grade styling. It offers editable templates and is more advanced than some of the basic apps available on mobile platforms.
- Brand Kit Feature: Upload and save your brand’s logo, colors, and fonts for consistent use.
- High-Quality Assets: Choose from Adobe’s extensive image and icon library.
- Cross-Platform Use: Available both on mobile and desktop for flexibility.
If you’re already within the Adobe ecosystem, Adobe Express is a logical choice for creating high-impact highlight visuals with deep customization.
3. Over (now GoDaddy Studio)
Over—rebranded as GoDaddy Studio—is a versatile design app geared towards mobile-first creatives. Its interface emphasizes visual storytelling, making it suitable for those who want their Instagram Story Highlights to stand out.
- Creative Tools: Layer-based editing and professional filters set your highlights apart.
- Templates and Fonts: Stylish and fresh templates curated for social media.
- Easy Export: Optimized for Instagram dimensions and direct sharing.
This tool is perfect if you’re focused on brand alignment and visual impact, particularly in fashion, food, and lifestyle niches.
4. Highlight Cover Maker (Mobile App)
Highlight Cover Maker is an easy-to-use mobile app specifically designed for creating Instagram Highlight covers. It is ideal for users looking for a quick, no-fuss way to design clean and appealing icons for their profile.
- Pre-designed Icons: Thousands of trendy icons suited for different highlight themes (e.g., travel, food, beauty).
- Color Customization: Easily match covers to your personal or brand color palette.
- Mobile-Friendly: Fast and intuitive for on-the-go editing via your smartphone.
Although limited in scope compared to Canva or Adobe Express, it is the go-to option for straightforward highlight covers without the need for more advanced editing features.
5. Unfold
Unfold provides a minimalist toolkit perfect for storytelling. It is known for its elegant templates that elevate Instagram stories into narrative journeys—ideal for influencers, content creators, and even brands who want a classy, editorial look.
- Minimalist Templates: Beautiful layouts that support photo and video integration.
- Typography Styles: Sleek, modern font choices perfect for storytelling highlights.
- Batch Editing: Speed up the process of creating multiple highlight stories at once.
If your Instagram profile is built around curated content and storytelling, Unfold is a sophisticated choice to maintain a modern and elegant highlight section.
Final Thoughts
Building effective Instagram Story Highlights requires not just thoughtful content but also engaging visuals that communicate clearly and consistently. Tools like Canva, Adobe Express, and GoDaddy Studio offer robust features for in-depth customization, while simpler apps like Highlight Cover Maker and Unfold provide aesthetic-forward solutions for content creators on the go.
By choosing the right tools, you give your Instagram profile a professional edge, making it more memorable and organized for viewers and potential followers. Whether you’re a brand manager, influencer, or small business owner, investing in the right design tool can significantly elevate your Instagram presence.