Instagram Story is one of the app’s most popular features, providing users with a dynamic and interactive way to share moments with their followers. While Instagram offers many ways to add creativity to your stories, one feature that stands out is the ability to change the background color of your stories. Whether you are using Instagram for personal expression or business branding, the background color of your story plays a crucial role in setting the tone and making your content visually appealing. In this detailed guide, we will explore how to change the background color on the Instagram story and offer various methods and tips for enhancing your creative process.
Why Change the Background Color of Your Instagram Story?
Before we delve into the methods of changing the background color, let’s discuss why this feature is so important. Background colors are an essential element in customizing the look of your Instagram story, and here’s why:
1. Aesthetic Appeal
Changing the background color can drastically alter the visual appeal of your story. Whether you want to create a soft, minimalistic vibe or a bold, energetic look, the right background color can set the tone for your entire post.
2. Enhanced Visibility
Sometimes, a simple change in the background color can make your text or image pop, improving its readability and clarity. Whether you are sharing an announcement or showcasing a product, a well-chosen background can make your story stand out.
3. Consistency with Branding
For businesses and influencers, maintaining a consistent look and feel across posts is essential. By adjusting the background color to reflect your brand’s color palette, you can create a cohesive and recognizable Instagram profile.
4. Creative Flexibility
Instagram Story offers various tools that allow you to experiment with different colors and textures. From gradients to overlays, the possibilities for creative expression are endless, giving users a chance to reflect on their unique personalities or brand identity.
Now that you know why it’s beneficial to change your background color, let’s walk through the different methods you can use to do so.
Methods to Change Background Color on Instagram Story
Instagram Story provides several ways to alter the background color of your story, depending on what type of content you’re sharing. Whether you’re uploading a photo, or video, or using text alone, here’s how to customize your background.
Method 1: Change the Background Color Using the Text Tool (Plain Color)
If you want to create a story with only text and a solid color background, this method is ideal for you. Follow these simple steps:
Steps:
- Open Instagram: Open the Instagram app on your mobile device and swipe right to access the story creation screen.
- Create a New Story: Tap the Create button at the bottom of the screen. This option will give you a blank canvas with a solid background color.
- Choose Your Background Color: At the top of the screen, you will see a color palette. Instagram offers a range of colors, but you can also select custom colors if needed by tapping the color gradient bar.
- Add Text: Tap the text icon (Aa) to add your desired message. You can adjust the size, font style, and color of the text. Instagram Story offers different fonts to choose from, each with unique effects that can enhance the overall look.
- Adjust and Share: After adding your text and adjusting the layout, tap the Send To button to share it with your followers or save it to your device.
Example Use Case:
This method works great for simple announcements or inspirational quotes. You can match the background color to your theme and easily create a consistent brand identity.
Method 2: Change the Background Color with a Photo or Video Overlay
This method is useful if you have a photo or video but want to add a background color on top of it. Instagram provides a drawing tool that lets you overlay colors on top of media.
Steps:
- Open Instagram: Launch Instagram Story and swipe right to start a new story.
- Select Your Media: Choose the photo or video you want to upload from your gallery.
- Apply the Drawing Tool: Tap the drawing icon (a squiggly line) at the top of the screen.
- Select a Color: Choose the color you want to overlay from the palette at the bottom. You can also use the color slider to create a gradient effect.
- Overlay the Color: Hold your finger on the screen to apply the color over the media. You can adjust the opacity of the color by sliding the color palette left or right.
- Finish and Share: Once you’re satisfied with the overlay, tap the Send To button to share the story with your followers.
Example Use Case:
This method is great for adding a soft color tint over a photo or video, such as a pastel overlay for a calm, artistic effect or a vibrant color to make the content stand out.
Method 3: Use Instagram’s Gradient Tool for a Smooth Background
For a more dynamic and visually engaging background, you can use Instagram’s gradient tool, which allows you to apply a smooth transition between two colors.
Steps:
- Open Instagram: Start a new story by swiping right on the home screen.
- Access the Gradient Tool: Tap the Create option at the bottom of the screen. You will be presented with the gradient option.
- Select Your Gradient: Instagram Story offers several gradient options. Choose one that fits your story’s theme, or use the color picker to adjust the gradient to your liking.
- Add Text or Stickers: Once your gradient background is set, you can add text, stickers, or even drawings to further personalize your story.
- Share the Story: When you’re satisfied with your design, share it with your followers.
Example Use Case:
This method works wonderfully for giving your story a more polished, professional look, or for setting a dramatic, eye-catching backdrop to complement your content.
Method 4: Use Third-Party Apps for Custom Backgrounds
If you want even more customization and creative freedom, third-party apps like Canva, Adobe Spark, or Over provide extensive tools to create custom backgrounds. These apps allow you to use pre-designed templates or design your backgrounds with advanced features.
Steps:
- Download the App: Install your preferred design app (e.g., Canva, Adobe Spark) from the App Store or Google Play.
- Select a Template: Open the app and choose the Instagram Story template.
- Create Your Background: Use the app’s tools to design a custom background. You can adjust colors, add gradients, upload your images, or use pre-designed patterns.
- Export and Upload to Instagram: Once you’re happy with the design, export it and upload it to Instagram as a story.
Example Use Case:
This is a great option if you want to design professional-quality Instagram story that reflect your brand’s identity, complete with custom fonts, logos, and other unique design elements.
Method 5: Change the Background Color Using Instagram’s Polls, Questions, or Other Stickers
Instagram Story interactive stickers, such as polls, questions, and sliders, can be paired with background colors to engage your audience while keeping the look fresh and colorful.
Steps:
- Open Instagram: Create a new story by swiping right.
- Select Your Media or Create a Plain Story: Choose a photo, video, or blank canvas.
- Choose a Sticker: Tap the sticker icon (the smiley face with a square) and select your preferred interactive sticker (e.g., poll, question box, or slider).
- Adjust Background Color: You can now change the background color by using the methods mentioned earlier (color or gradient).
- Add Text or Stickers: You can enhance the look further by adding text or emojis to the story.
- Share Your Story: Once your story is complete, share it with your followers.
Example Use Case:
This method works great for engaging your audience through polls or quizzes while maintaining the aesthetic of your Instagram story.
Tips for Choosing the Best Background Color
Selecting the right background color for your Instagram story is crucial for making your content visually appealing and ensuring that it resonates with your audience. Here are some tips to guide you in choosing the perfect background color:
1. Consider the Mood You Want to Convey
Colors have the ability to evoke emotions. For example, blue can convey calmness, trust, and professionalism, while red can symbolize passion, excitement, or urgency. Think about the message you want to communicate and choose colors accordingly.
2. Match Colors to Your Branding
If you’re a business, it’s important to maintain a consistent visual identity. Use your brand’s primary colors for backgrounds to strengthen brand recognition and cohesion.
3. Contrast with Your Text
Ensure that your text is legible by choosing a background color that contrasts well with your font color. Dark text works well with light backgrounds and vice versa.
4. Use Color Psychology
Color psychology can influence how people perceive your story. For example, green often symbolizes growth and health, yellow can evoke positivity, and purple can be associated with luxury or creativity.
5. Avoid Overcrowding the Story
While background colors are essential, it’s important not to make the background too busy or distracting. Keep your design clean and focus on the main message you want to convey.
Troubleshooting Common Issues When Changing Background Color on Instagram Stories
Even though changing the background color is a straightforward process, there are a few common issues that users may encounter. Here’s how to troubleshoot these issues:
1. App Crashes or Freezes
If Instagram Story freezes while changing the background, ensure that your app is up-to-date. You can also try closing and reopening the app or reinstalling it.
2. Color Not Showing Correctly
If the background color doesn’t appear as expected, it could be due to an app glitch. Try restarting the app or clearing the app’s cache from your device settings.
3. Unresponsive Color Picker
Sometimes the color picker may not be responsive. Ensure that your Instagram app is updated, and if the issue persists, try restarting your device.
Conclusion
Changing the background color on your Instagram story is an easy yet powerful way to enhance the look of your posts. Whether you’re sharing a photo, video, or text, adjusting the background color can add a professional touch or elevate the creativity of your story. With the simple methods outlined in this guide, you can easily change the background to suit your needs and style.
By experimenting with different colors, gradients, and overlays, you can develop a visually cohesive and engaging Instagram presence. So, go ahead and start changing the background colors of your Instagram Story, and let your creativity shine through!
