How To Make A Collage On Instagram Story
Instagram Stories changed the default behavior of the internet - we post in-the-moment, fast, and a little messy. The problem is when you have 4 photos from the same moment and you don’t want to spam your Story with 4 separate slides.
Collages solve that. One frame. More context. Less noise.
You’ve got a few ways to do it:
- Use Instagram’s built-in collage tools (fastest)
- Use third-party apps (more layouts, more control)
- If you’re doing this for a brand, you eventually graduate from collages to actual creator-style ads - that’s where tools like EzUGC come in
Looking for more? Here is the full guide on user-generated content on Instagram.
How To Create a Collage on Instagram Story
There’s no shortage of collage tools now. Apps like Canva or the Layout app let you turn a bunch of photos into a single clean frame.
But you don’t even need extra apps. Instagram itself can do it.
The tradeoff is simple:
- Instagram tools are fast and “good enough” for most Stories
- Dedicated collage apps give you more templates, spacing control, backgrounds, and design polish
Best move is to try both once. You’ll know in 5 minutes which one matches your style.
1. Sequence through Instagram stories
This one is basically Instagram doing the work for you - you pick the photos, it turns them into a sequence.
- Start creating a normal story.
- Go to the collage option (upper right).
- Select the pictures you want to use.
- Instagram will create the sequence for you.
2. Layout on Instagram stories
This is the grid method. You choose a layout, then fill each rectangle with a photo.
- Start creating a normal story.
- Tap layout to change the grid you want to use.
- Take new photos or select ones from your library. Approve your pictures (you can move them around in the frame).
- Approve and add the finishing touches.
3. Use Instagram Stories
This is the manual method. More steps, but also more control.
1. Use Instagram Stories to take a photo
The photo you take becomes your background. After you take it, you can keep it or swap it for a solid color background.
If you want solid color:
- Use the Brush tool to pick a color
- Tap and hold to fill the background
Black backgrounds are popular because they make photos pop, but the point is to experiment. Get creative.
2. Select the photos you want to use from your camera roll
Now pick the photos you’re going to layer on top.
A collage looks 10x better when it has a theme. Example: if you’re celebrating your dog’s birthday, pick photos that clearly tell that story - your dog, the moment, the vibe.
3. Use the Share icon
In the lower-left corner of your Android or iOS device, you’ll find a Share icon. Tap it and you’ll see an option to copy the images.
Go slow here. Most “bad” collages happen because someone rushed and forgot the best photo.
4. Return to Insta Stories
This part trips people up because you’re switching between apps. Keeping Instagram and your camera roll open makes it easier.
5. Add stickers
Bottom left, tap the stickers icon, then drop a sticker into your Story.
Stickers aren’t just decoration - they’re layout tools. You can use them to balance empty space, draw attention, or make the collage feel intentional.
6. Adjust your sticker
Resize and reposition until it fits your layout.
You can also add text instead of a sticker. Or both. Text is usually what makes a collage feel “posted on purpose” vs “dumped from camera roll.”
7. Repeat the process of all images
Want more photos? Repeat the steps.
Try different stickers. Try a black background. Try different layout modes. You’ll quickly find your default style.
The Best Apps For Creating A Photo Collage For Insta Story
If you’d rather use a layout app than Instagram, you’ve got plenty of options. The big win with third-party apps is control - more templates, cleaner spacing, better typography, and less fighting with Instagram’s UI.
Collage Maker
This app is loaded for iOS users:
- More than 10,000 layout options
- Unique backgrounds
- A big range of stickers
There is an Android version available. Search for Collage Maker by InShot to start making an Instagram Story collage.
Unfold
Unfold is for people who want their Stories to look like a magazine, not a sticker explosion.
It’s stylish, elegant, and minimalistic. If you like simple frames, clean white space, and a premium feel, this is your lane.
Layout from Instagram
Android users who want something free and straightforward usually end up here.
It’s popular because:
- It’s easy to navigate
- It offers enough layout variety for most people
- You can experiment quickly without learning a new app
Photoblend
If you’re on iPhone and want something different than grids, Photoblend is a good option.
It’s free and lets you blend two pictures into a double-exposed effect. You can also:
- Select color changes
- Resize images
- Add text before uploading
SCRL
SCRL goes beyond basic collages. People use it for mood boards, panoramas, and layouts.
It’s popular mainly because of:
- Film frames - gives images that classic, vintage film look.
- Paper effects - a torn paper appearance can make images stand out. This effect is viral among users.
- Essentials found on SCRL - the app provides users with a great variety of basic layouts that are so easy to use that they are suitable for everyone.
SCRL is free to download, but templates cost extra. Pricing starts at as little as $0.99.
Pic Jointer
Pic Jointer is built for creative customization on iPhone.
You can:
- Add sticker features to a copied photo
- Add text to stock photos
The download is free, but to make collages you’ll need to upgrade to filter packs. There are several options at different prices, so it can fit most budgets.
StoryChic
StoryChic is an Android option that’s theme-driven.
You can:
- Choose your own layout
- Pick one of the 50 themed options
The theme approach is nice because it forces consistency - and consistent Stories usually look better. It’s free to download, but you need to upgrade to unlock full collage creation features.
Looking for Instagram creators?
If you’re making collages for fun, Instagram’s tools are plenty.
If you’re making content for a brand and you need creator-style videos at scale, you want a system, not a one-off collage workflow. That’s what EzUGC is built for - generating UGC-style videos and ads without the constant back-and-forth. If you’re pricing-shopping, start here: EzUGC pricing.
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