---
title: Creative Instagram Highlight Cover Ideas (+ FREE download)
description: We explain the effective ways you can use Instagram story highlight covers, as well as provide you with a FREE customisable template to get you started.
image: https://www.distilagency.com/hubfs/SDS-BLOG-HIGHLIGHT-COVERS-COVER-1.gif
---

[![DISTIL_Logo](https://www.distilagency.com/hubfs/DISTIL_Logo.png)](https://www.sydneydesignsocial.com)

- [Services](https://www.distilagency.com/all-services) 
    - [Branding & Creative](https://www.distilagency.com/branding-creative)
    - [Digital Marketing](https://www.distilagency.com/digital-marketing)
    - [Partnerships](https://www.distilagency.com/partnerships)
- [Work](https://www.distilagency.com/work)
- [Blog](https://www.distilagency.com/blog)
- [Resources](https://www.distilagency.com/resources) 
    - [TikTok for Business](https://www.distilagency.com/tiktok-guide-for-business)
    - [Facebook for Business](https://www.distilagency.com/resources/beginners-guide-to-using-facebook-for-businesses)
    - [Instagram for Business](https://www.distilagency.com/how-to-use-instagram-for-your-business)
    - [Digital Marketing Guide](https://www.distilagency.com/a-guide-to-digital-marketing-for-hospitality)
    - [Graphic Design Guide](https://www.distilagency.com/en/resources/graphic-design-for-hospitality)
- [Contact](https://www.distilagency.com/contact)

[ALL BLOGS](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/)

### Creative Instagram Highlight Cover Ideas (+ FREE customisable download)

<https://www.distilagency.com/blog/2020s-best-tools-for-scheduling-content> <https://www.distilagency.com/blog/why-you-should-be-using-google-my-business>

# Creative Instagram Highlight Cover Ideas (+ FREE download)

Using Instagram stories to communicate to your audience is an incredibly useful marketing tool. Go one step further and save them to your 'story highlights', so you don't see all your hard work disappear after 24 hours.

Story highlights are displayed on your Instagram profile, and are what visitors will see before they start scrolling through your feed. You can curate the stories you post into different categories or ‘highlights’, and even add highlight ‘covers’ to help visitors visually navigate your highlights with ease. 

In this article we give you the ins-and-outs of why you should be using story highlights, ways you can use story highlight covers, and give you exclusive access to a FREE customisable highlight cover template to get you started!

## Reasons to Use Instagram Story Highlights

Instagram story highlights are an extremely valuable feature, and can benefit your brand in a number of ways:

- Give visitors additional context about your brand
- Organise your content into categories
- Allow the time and effort you put into your stories to be visible for more than 24 hours
- Expand your brand identity when your unique brand colours/fonts are used as highlight covers
- Showcase up-to-the-minute content on your page first
- Showcase behind the scenes of your brand to connect more personally with followers
- Showcase brand hashtags and how people engage with it

## Ways to Use Story Highlight Covers

There are multiple ways you can choose to use your Instagram story highlight covers, which will come down to what works best for your individual brand.

### Using Icons

Icons are a popular option when designing story highlight covers. [Using visual imagery often has the power to communicate a message much more effectively, quickly and memorably than words](https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/33423/19-Reasons-You-Should-Include-Visual-Content-in-Your-Marketing-Data.aspx). This is why icons are useful when your short-attention-spanned visitors are trying to navigate the different categories in your highlights with ease. They also offer you an extra opportunity to be creative and present the icons in line with your brand identity.

[![SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-1-LOVEFISH-BARANGAROO](https://www.distilagency.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-1.jpg?width=2300&name=SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-1.jpg)](https://www.instagram.com/lovefishbarangaroo/)

When using icons as story highlight covers, ensure you use a relevant icon which accurately represents the category of your story highlight, so that its meaning is translated effectively.

### Using Text

Text is another option for the design of your story highlight covers. Using text may be beneficial when you have highlight themes that are difficult to convey accurately with a visual symbol.

[![SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-2-PS-SODA](https://www.distilagency.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-2.jpg?width=2300&name=SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-2.jpg)](https://www.instagram.com/ps.soda/)

Ensure a limited number of words and characters are used, as the cover images are displayed at a small size and need to be legible. 

### Using Patterns

Patterns are a more abstract way of designing story highlights, but are super unique. This option may be beneficial for businesses who want to highlight  their creativity, helping page visitors to associate a particular visual style with the brand.

[![SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-5-CLASS-BENTO](https://www.distilagency.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-5.jpg?width=2300&name=SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-5.jpg)](https://www.instagram.com/classbento/)

### Using Photography

Photography as story highlight covers may be useful for brands who have a distinct photographic style they want to exhibit, or who have relevant photos which represent their story highlights well.

[![SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-3-1-NOVOTEL](https://www.distilagency.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-3-1.jpg?width=712&name=SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-3-1.jpg)](https://www.instagram.com/novotelsydneyairport/)

### Using Solid Colours

Some brands opt for using solid colours as their Instagram story highlight covers. While they don't communicate much (although are assisted by the text beneath each highlight cover), they are great if you have a strong brand colour palette you want to boast.

[![SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-4-SKILLSHARE](https://www.distilagency.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-4.jpg?width=2300&name=SDS-HIGHLIGHT-COVER-4.jpg)](https://www.instagram.com/skillshare/)

## How to Customise Our Free Cover Templates

We’ve included a free template for Instagram story highlight covers, which you can customise to suit your brand!

1. Download the free template at the bottom of this article
2. Open the template file with Adobe Illustrator (note: you will need basic working knowledge of the program and an Adobe subscription)
3. Change each highlight background to suit your brand identity, by selecting the desired squares and adjusting the colour swatches
4. Change either the colour of the icons, or the colour and font of the text to suit your brand (note: the blue lines are guides to give you an idea of how the design will be centred within a circle frame once uploaded and will not be visible upon export)
5. Export the graphics as JPG files and send and your mobile to upload as highlight covers on Instagram
6. Enjoy how much more professional and credible your brand looks on Instagram, and rest easy knowing other visitors will be thinking the same!

## [![Download FREE Customisable Story Highlight Covers](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4606896/6d4382db-b030-4da6-82ff-2bf773af7f67.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4606896/6d4382db-b030-4da6-82ff-2bf773af7f67)

[View our Social Media Services here](https://www.distilagency.com/services/social-media-services)

[![Subscribe to our Blog](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4606896/b12e331e-6b95-4d0f-84b1-92447056b5a8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4606896/b12e331e-6b95-4d0f-84b1-92447056b5a8)

21/07/2020

![Maddie Wilson](https://www.distilagency.com/hubfs/M-Wilson-1.jpg) 

[Maddie Wilson](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/author/maddie-wilson)

Post Tags

[Instagram Stories](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/tag/instagram-stories), [Digital Marketing](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/tag/digital-marketing), [Social Media Marketing](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/tag/social-media-marketing), [Social Media](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/tag/social-media), [Graphic Design](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/tag/graphic-design), [Design Tools](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/tag/design-tools), [Instagram Marketing](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/tag/instagram-marketing)

### Categories

- [Social Media Marketing (82)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/tag/social-media-marketing)
- [Digital Marketing (78)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/tag/digital-marketing)
- [Social Media (55)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/tag/social-media)
- [Instagram (45)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/tag/instagram)
- [Graphic Design (44)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/tag/graphic-design)

### Featured Reads

![ Featured Post Image ](https://www.distilagency.com/hubfs/Marketing_Calendar_BlogBanner_V1-1.jpg)

### [2025 Marketing Calendar](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/2025-marketing-calendar)

![A GIF of a pair of hands holding a restaurant menu, moving back and forth.  ](https://www.distilagency.com/hubfs/DISTIL_BLOG_Banner_Menu_Design.gif)

### [Elevate Your Brand: Menu Design and Branding Strategies for the Food, Beverage, and QSR Industries](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/elevate-your-brand-menu-design-and-branding-strategies-for-the-food-beverage-and-qsr-industries)

![ Featured Post Image ](https://www.distilagency.com/hubfs/DISTIL_Open_House_Blog_Banner.jpg)

### [Introducing Distil Open House](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/distil-open-house)

### Archive

- [March 2020 (8)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2020/03)
- [April 2020 (7)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2020/04)
- [February 2019 (6)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2019/02)
- [October 2018 (5)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2018/10)
- [January 2019 (5)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2019/01)
- [May 2019 (5)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2019/05)
- [October 2019 (5)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2019/10)
- [May 2020 (5)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2020/05)
- [June 2020 (5)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2020/06)
- [November 2020 (5)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2020/11)
- [July 2021 (5)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2021/07)
- [September 2021 (5)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2021/09)
- [December 2021 (5)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2021/12)
- [August 2018 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2018/08)
- [March 2019 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2019/03)
- [June 2019 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2019/06)
- [August 2019 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2019/08)
- [September 2019 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2019/09)
- [November 2019 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2019/11)
- [December 2019 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2019/12)
- [January 2020 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2020/01)
- [February 2020 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2020/02)
- [July 2020 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2020/07)
- [August 2020 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2020/08)
- [September 2020 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2020/09)
- [October 2020 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2020/10)
- [January 2021 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2021/01)
- [February 2021 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2021/02)
- [March 2021 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2021/03)
- [April 2021 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2021/04)
- [May 2021 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2021/05)
- [October 2021 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2021/10)
- [April 2022 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2022/04)
- [March 2023 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2023/03)
- [June 2023 (4)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2023/06)
- [November 2018 (3)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2018/11)
- [December 2018 (3)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2018/12)
- [April 2019 (3)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2019/04)
- [July 2019 (3)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2019/07)
- [August 2021 (3)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2021/08)
- [November 2021 (3)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2021/11)
- [July 2023 (3)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2023/07)
- [April 2024 (3)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2024/04)
- [July 2024 (3)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2024/07)
- [September 2018 (2)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2018/09)
- [December 2020 (2)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2020/12)
- [January 2022 (2)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2022/01)
- [February 2022 (2)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2022/02)
- [March 2022 (2)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2022/03)
- [May 2022 (2)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2022/05)
- [May 2023 (2)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2023/05)
- [September 2023 (2)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2023/09)
- [October 2023 (2)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2023/10)
- [December 2023 (2)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2023/12)
- [March 2024 (2)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2024/03)
- [June 2021 (1)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2021/06)
- [August 2022 (1)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2022/08)
- [September 2022 (1)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2022/09)
- [December 2022 (1)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2022/12)
- [January 2023 (1)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2023/01)
- [August 2023 (1)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2023/08)
- [November 2023 (1)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2023/11)
- [January 2024 (1)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2024/01)
- [February 2024 (1)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2024/02)
- [June 2024 (1)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2024/06)
- [August 2024 (1)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2024/08)
- [November 2024 (1)](https://www.distilagency.com/blog/archive/2024/11)

See all

### Subscribe to our blog

##### Distil

#### Branding, Design & Digital Marketing

- <https://www.facebook.com/sydneydesignsocial/>
- <https://www.instagram.com/syddesignsocial/>
- <https://www.pinterest.com.au/syddesignsocial>
- <https://twitter.com/syddesignsocial>
- <https://www.linkedin.com/company/sydney-design-social/>
- <https://www.tiktok.com/@distilagency>

- [![Distil_Logo](https://www.distilagency.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DISTIL_Logo.png?width=95&name=DISTIL_Logo.png)](https://www.sydneydesignsocial.com)
- © Copyright 2025

##### Follow us!

- <https://www.facebook.com/distilagency>
- <https://www.instagram.com/distilagency>
- <https://www.linkedin.com/company/distilagency>
- <https://www.tiktok.com/@distilagency>

![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=203210420347760&ev=PageView&noscript=1)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Maddie Wilson",
    "url" : "https://www.distilagency.com/blog/author/maddie-wilson"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2024-09-30T06:58:46.129Z",
  "datePublished" : "2020-07-21T14:06:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Creative Instagram Highlight Cover Ideas (+ FREE download)",
  "image" : [ "https://www.distilagency.com/hubfs/SDS-BLOG-HIGHLIGHT-COVERS-COVER-1.gif" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.distilagency.com/blog/creative-instagram-highlight-cover-ideas",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://www.distilagency.com/hubfs/Distil_Logo_Wordmark_Primary_Black-2.png"
    },
    "name" : "Distil Agency"
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "Organization",
  "logo" : "https://www.sydneydesignsocial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sydney Design Social/Home/logo.png",
  "url" : "http://www.sydneydesignsocial.com/"
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BreadcrumbList",
  "itemListElement" : [ {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : {
      "@id" : "http://www.sydneydesignsocial.com/",
      "name" : "Home"
    },
    "position" : 1
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : {
      "@id" : "http://www.sydneydesignsocial.com/services",
      "name" : "Services"
    },
    "position" : 2
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : {
      "@id" : "http://www.sydneydesignsocial.com/work",
      "name" : "Work"
    },
    "position" : 3
  } ]
}
```