In today’s fast-paced digital world, catching your audience’s attention on Instagram is more important than ever. One powerful way to do this is through **Instagram banner posts**—a series of images that, when viewed on your profile grid, form one large, visually striking picture. If you’ve ever scrolled through a brand’s Instagram page and been wowed by a seamless layout that feels more like a magazine spread than a social media feed, you’ve already seen the impact they can make. Whether you’re a business owner, digital creator, or simply growing your personal brand, learning how to make an Instagram banner post can elevate your Instagram marketing game. In this guide, we’ll take you step-by-step through the creation process, offer tools and tips, and explain how to make your banner posts not just beautiful—but strategic.
What is an Instagram Banner Post?
An Instagram banner post is a group of images—usually three, six, or nine posts—that are uploaded in sequence to your Instagram profile to create a larger, cohesive visual. When viewers visit your profile, these individual squares line up to form a grand design. These banner posts are excellent for:
- Highlighting product launches
- Promoting a campaign or event
- Showcasing a new brand aesthetic
- Telling a story in a visual way
This strategy blends creativity and planning, which can be a game-changer for your brand’s first impression.
Why You Should Create Instagram Banner Posts
Not sure if it’s worth the effort to create banner posts? Here are several reasons why businesses and professionals choose to use them:
- Grab Attention: Banner posts stand out on the grid and instantly attract new visitors.
- Enhance Branding: They are perfect for reinforcing your brand’s color scheme, typography, and design style.
- Increase Engagement: A well-designed banner post encourages users to scroll through your feed and interact.
- Visual Storytelling: You can guide your audience through a narrative without them leaving your profile.
If you’re aiming for a professionally curated Instagram page, learning how to make an Instagram banner post is a smart move.
Step-by-Step: How to Make an Instagram Banner Post
Now that you’re convinced of the power of banner posts, let’s get to the good part—how to make one!
Step 1: Plan Your Banner Content
Your first decision is what message you want your banner to communicate. Ask yourself:
- Is this a promotion for a product or service?
- Are you announcing an event or milestone?
- Is it part of a larger Instagram campaign?
Knowing your goal will guide the design, captions, and sequence of your posts. A good banner should both stand alone and contribute to your overall marketing strategy.
Step 2: Choose the Banner Layout
There are a few layout styles, each with its own impact:
- 3-grid banner: Spans one row
- 6-grid banner: Spans two rows
- 9-grid banner: Full square grid; most impactful
Consider upcoming content. Will the banner be disrupted by posting new photos? Time your banner post to minimize interruptions or make it the first thing your audience sees when visiting your updated page.
Step 3: Design Your Banner
This is where creativity shines. Use design software like Adobe Photoshop, Canva, or Figma to create one large image. Make sure to:
- Use consistent brand colors and fonts
- Ensure text is legible in each square
- Leave margin space for Instagram profile crop views
- Preview how the image will appear tiled on your profile
Pro Tip: Make sure each square can stand alone while still contributing to the overall story.
Step 4: Slice the Banner into Squares
Once your banner is designed, you’ll need to split it into equal parts. This can be done using tools like:
- PhotoSplit
- PineTools’ Image Splitter
- Canva’s grid feature
Match the grid to your chosen layout (e.g., a 3×3 grid for nine images) and save each individual square in the correct order for posting.
Step 5: Upload in Sequence
Timing is everything. Upload your sliced images in reverse order so that they appear in the correct layout on your profile. Here’s a general rule
- For a 3-image banner: upload 3 → 2 → 1
- For a 6-image banner: upload 6 → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 1
- For a 9-image banner: upload 9 → through → 1
Be careful with your captions—these can make or break engagement. Highlight different aspects of your message with each square.
Note: Avoid posting any other content in between banner posts—it will break the visual flow.
Instagram Banner Post Tips and Best Practices
1. Keep Visual Balance
Try to balance text and imagery evenly. Don’t overcrowd one part of the banner or leave others too sparse. Symmetry often works best for aesthetic content.
2. Strategize with Content Calendars
Since banners require visual cohesion, plan your content calendar around these types of posts. This ensures they’ll go live at the right moment without misalignment from other unrelated posts.
3. Optimize Image Quality
Instagram compresses files. Make sure your design is created in high resolution to prevent pixelation after splitting and uploading.
4. Include Strong Captions & Hashtags
Your visuals draw users in, but your text keeps them engaged. Some tips:
- Use calls-to-action (e.g., “Tap the link in bio!”)
- Incorporate branded hashtags
- Add one compelling sentence per image to move the story forward
5. Use Instagram Insights
After posting, use Instagram’s Insights to measure engagement and reach. This data helps refine future banner strategies for better performance.
Tools You Can Use to Make Instagram Banner Posts
You don’t have to be a graphic designer to pull this off. Here are some beginner-friendly tools that make the design and slicing process easier:
- Canva: Great for beginners, offers templates for grid banners
- Photoshop: Ideal for custom, high-resolution banners
- PineTools: Free online tool to split large images into equal parts
- ViralPulseAI: Analyze the performance of your banner content, optimize posting time, and generate AI-driven marketing captions
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Instagram Banner Posts
Even pros make missteps. Avoid these common pitfalls to maintain your Instagram aesthetic:
- Using the wrong sequence: Always upload posts starting with the last image first.
- Ignoring mobile optimization: Make sure your design works on smaller screens.
- Text misalignment: Avoid placing important text near the slicing lines.
- Breaking the row too soon: Allow the banner to stay visible as a complete set before posting new content.
Advanced Strategy: Animate Your Banner
If you want to take things to the next level, consider using animated GIFs or carousel posts to enhance your banner segments even further. Here’s how:
- Create short videos or looping animations for individual squares
- Use Instagram’s carousel feature to embed multiple views in one slice of the banner
- Pair visuals with storytelling text that leads into each next banner piece
This strategy offers a dynamic experience and stands out in the feed.