How to Make a Collage on Instagram Story for Your Best Moments

Ever wanted to showcase multiple photos in a single Instagram Story but didn’t know how? Whether it’s a travel recap, a birthday celebration, or a creative project, knowing how to make a collage on Instagram Story can help you tell a visual story in just one slide. Instagram offers built-in tools to create collages, but there are also other creative methods to make your Stories stand out.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make a collage on Instagram Story, covering Instagram’s built-in features, alternative tricks, and third-party apps for even more design flexibility. By the end, you’ll have all the tools to create eye-catching Stories that engage your audience and make your moments unforgettable.

1. Why Create a Collage on Instagram Story?

Instagram Stories are all about creativity and storytelling, and collages are one of the best ways to make them more dynamic. Instead of posting multiple individual Stories, collages allow you to merge multiple images into one slide, making your content visually attractive and more engaging.

Collages are perfect for:

Highlighting special moments – Whether it’s a vacation, a wedding, or a concert, collages let you capture multiple perspectives at once.
Enhancing aesthetics – A well-crafted collage can elevate the look of your Instagram Story.
Boosting engagement – People are likely to engage and relate with a Story that has an artistic and unique presentation.
Saving time – Instead of uploading multiple Stories separately, a collage condenses everything into one.

Now, let’s explore how to make a collage on Instagram Story using Instagram’s built-in features and other creative methods.

2. How to Make a Collage on Instagram Story Using the Layout Feature

Instagram’s Layout tool is the simplest way to create a collage directly in the app. It allows you to arrange multiple photos in a grid format without needing any additional apps.

Step-by-step guide to using the Layout feature:

Here’s a quick run down to of this feature and how to apply it:

Open Instagram and swipe towards the right to access the Stories section.
Tap on the Layout icon on the left toolbar (if you don’t see it, swipe up to reveal more options).
Choose a grid style that best suits your collage (Instagram offers different grid options).
Tap on each section of the grid to add multiple photos to Instagram Story by either taking new ones or selecting them from your gallery.
Once all photos are placed, adjust their positions by dragging and resizing them as needed.
Use Instagram’s built-in tools to add stickers, text, filters, or GIFs to personalize your collage.
Tap “Your Story” to share it with your followers and friends!

While this method is quick and convenient, it has some limitations, such as the fixed grid layouts. If you want more flexibility, check out the next method.

3. How to Make a Collage on Instagram Story Without the Layout Tool

If you prefer a more freeform collage with custom placements, Instagram has a hidden trick that allows you to manually layer multiple images onto one Story slide.

Using the Copy-Paste Trick (iOS Users)

Here is a quick guide for all iPhone users:

Open your Photos app, select an image, and tap the “Copy” option.
Go to Instagram, open the Stories section, and select a background photo.
Tap on the text tool (Aa) and long-press in the text box. The “Paste” option will appear; tap it, and your copied image will be added to the Story.
Repeat this process to add more images, arranging them as you like.
Add any extra stickers, filters, or text before posting.

Using the Sticker Feature (Android & iOS)

The easiest way to make a collage on your story:

Open Instagram Stories and select a background image or a solid color.
Tap the Sticker icon (the square smiley face) at the top.
Scroll down and select the Photo Sticker option (if available).
Choose images from your gallery and place them anywhere on the screen.
Resize, rotate and arrange the photos freely to create a custom collage.

These methods allow for much more creativity than Instagram’s Layout tool, letting you make collages that suit your unique style.

4. Best Third-Party Apps for Advanced Collages

If Instagram’s built-in features don’t offer enough flexibility, several third-party apps can help you design professional-looking collages with more customization options.

Recommended apps:

Canva – Offers pre-designed Instagram Story templates with stylish layouts.
Unfold – Aesthetic, minimalist collage templates perfect for Instagram Stories.
PicsArt – Advanced tools for layering images, adding stickers, and editing photos creatively.

How to use a third-party app for Instagram Story collages:

Download and install your preferred app.
Open the app and select an Instagram Story template.
Upload your photographs and arrange them in the layout.
Customize with text, stickers, backgrounds, and filters to enhance the design.
Save the final collage and upload it to Instagram Stories.

Using third-party apps can make your collages look more polished, helping them stand out in a crowded feed.

5. Pro Tips to Make Your Instagram Story Collage Stand Out

Now that you know how to make a collage on Instagram Story, here are some expert tips to take your designs to the next level:

Choose a consistent color theme – Matching colors across your collage makes it look more professional.
Mix photos and videos – Adding a short video alongside images makes your Story more dynamic.
Use Instagram’s interactive features – Polls, Q&A stickers, and GIFs can make your Story more engaging.
Avoid clutter – Keep your collage clean and balanced by not overloading it with too many elements.
Experiment with transparency effects – Some third-party apps allow layering and blending for unique aesthetics.

By applying these tips, you’ll create collages that are not only visually appealing but also engaging for your followers.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Collage

Even the best collage ideas can go wrong if you make these common mistakes:

Overcrowding your Story – Too many photos can make it look messy and hard to follow.
Using low-quality images – Blurry or pixelated images reduce the quality of your collage.
Ignoring spacing – Poorly arranged images can make your collage look unbalanced.
Overusing filters and stickers – Less is often more when it comes to design.

Avoiding these mistakes will help your Instagram Stories look cleaner and more professional.

Conclusion

Creating an Instagram Story collage is a fantastic way to showcase your best moments in a visually appealing format. Whether you use Instagram’s Layout tool, the copy-paste trick, or a third-party app, you now have multiple ways to make stunning collages.

Next time you want to share multiple images, don’t just upload them one by one, get creative and design a collage that truly stands out! If you’re looking for more ways to improve your Instagram Stories, check out this guide on Instagram Story hacks to discover even more creative tricks.