Can You Make Instagram Highlight Covers in Canva?

Instagram highlight covers are a great way to customize your profile and make it stand out. These small icons sit right below your bio and allow you to categorize and highlight different aspects of your Instagram content. While Instagram provides a default set of highlight cover icons, many users prefer to create their own unique covers that match their brand or aesthetic. In this tutorial, we will explore how you can make Instagram highlight covers using Canva, a popular online graphic design tool.

Getting Started with Canva

If you don't already have a Canva account, head over to Canva's website and sign up for free. Once you're logged in, you'll be greeted by Canva's user-friendly interface that offers a wide range of design options.

Step 1: Create a New Design

To get started with creating your Instagram highlight cover, click on the "Create a design" button on the top right corner of the screen. This will open up a dropdown menu with various design options. Since we want our cover to fit perfectly within the circular shape of Instagram highlights, select the "Custom dimensions" option.

In the custom dimensions popup, enter the dimensions as 1080 pixels by 1080 pixels. This size ensures that your cover will look crisp and clear when uploaded to Instagram.

Step 2: Choose Your Background

Now that you have your canvas ready, it's time to choose a background for your Instagram highlight cover. Canva provides numerous options to select from - solid colors, gradients, patterns, and even images.

If you want to keep things simple and minimalistic, you can go with a solid color as your background. To apply a solid color, click on the "Background" tab located in the left sidebar. Here, you can select a color of your choice or enter the hex code if you have a specific color in mind.

Alternatively, you can choose a gradient background to add some depth and interest to your cover. Canva offers a range of pre-designed gradients that you can easily apply to your canvas. Simply click on the "Gradients" tab in the left sidebar and choose one that suits your style.

If you prefer using images as your background, Canva has an extensive library of free and paid stock photos that you can explore. Click on the "Photos" tab in the left sidebar and search for an image that resonates with your brand or theme.

Step 3: Add Elements and Text

Now that you have your background set, it's time to add elements and text to create an eye-catching highlight cover. Canva provides a wide range of graphic elements such as shapes, icons, lines, and frames that can be easily dragged onto your canvas.

If you want to keep things simple, adding icons that represent the content category of each highlight is a popular choice. Canva's extensive collection of icons makes it easy to find ones that match your style or branding. To add an icon, click on the "Elements" tab in the left sidebar and search for relevant keywords or browse through different categories.

To make your highlight covers even more engaging, consider adding text overlays. Whether it's labeling each highlight with its category name or adding some catchy phrases, text elements can enhance the overall visual appeal. Click on the "Text" tab in the left sidebar to access Canva's collection of fonts and text styles.

Exporting Your Highlight Covers

Once you are satisfied with your highlight cover design, it's time to export it and upload it to Instagram. Canva makes this process simple and hassle-free.

Click on the "Download" button located in the top right corner of the Canva interface. Choose the file format you prefer, such as PNG or JPEG, and wait for the download to finish. Now, you have your custom-made Instagram highlight cover ready to be added to your profile.

Uploading Your Highlight Covers to Instagram

To add your newly created highlight covers to your Instagram profile, follow these steps:

• Open the Instagram app on your mobile device and go to your profile page.
• Below your bio, you will find the circular highlights section. Tap on the "+" button here.
• Select the images from your gallery that you want as your highlight covers. You can choose multiple images at once.
• Once selected, tap on "Next".
• In this step, you can edit each cover individually by zooming in or out and repositioning it within the circle.
• You can also add a title for each highlight if desired. Simply tap on "Edit Cover" and enter a name for that category.
• Finally, tap on "Add" to add these covers as highlights on your profile.

Congratulations! You have successfully created custom Instagram highlight covers using Canva and added them to your profile. Now, anyone who visits your profile will see these visually appealing icons that represent different aspects of your content.

Conclusion

Instagram highlight covers are a fantastic way to showcase and organize your content in a visually cohesive manner. With Canva's user-friendly interface and extensive design options, you can easily create customized highlight covers that align with your brand or aesthetic. So, get creative, experiment with different backgrounds, icons, and text, and make your Instagram profile truly stand out!