Looking for an easy way to take your Instagram stories to the next level? It’s time to learn the art of the transparent overlay.
No need to spend hours worrying about your design skills! Adding a transparent story overlay requires only a few simple steps and is easy to learn even if you’re a total IG stories newbie. You can exercise your creativity and make an amazing visual impact, all without leaving the Instagram app.
So what are you waiting for?
Discover how you can create fresh, unique, and engaging Instagram stories. Here’s your beginner’s guide.
What Is a Transparent Overlay on Instagram Stories?
On Instagram stories, a transparent overlay is exactly what it sounds like: a semi-transparent color tile that sits over your image or video content.
Using a transparent overlay allows you to curate what appears on the screen. You can tie together multiple photos and create visual appeal that helps you engage your audience in meaningful ways. That’s not to mention design benefits that can improve your business reputation and impact!
Why Use Transparent Overlays on Instagram Stories?
Why should you be adding transparent overlays? Well, there are a lot of reasons.
Firstly, a well-executed overlay can go a long way towards enhancing the visual appeal of your content. This can improve your professionalism and the perceived quality of the images you share, as well as help you stand out from the crowd. It can also make it easier to add text clearly so that it is readable without interference from video or image content.
Transparent overlays can be a valuable resource in supporting brand consistency. By applying an overlay that aligns with your brand colors or aesthetic, you can connect users with your brand identity and make your account more easily recognisable for those already following you. This can also help you capture the interest of new users.
Working with overlays, you can control more of the on-screen experience your content delivers. You can use an overlay to set the tone for your business and create visual content that speaks to your long-term growth goals.
Pretty cool, huh?
How Can I Create a Transparent Overlay for My Instagram Story?
The good news is that applying a transparent overlay to your Instagram story is easy. Anyone can do it! Follow these simple steps to get started.
Step 1: Select a photo or video for your story
To begin, open the Instagram app, and select the ‘+‘ icon at the bottom of your screen before choosing ‘story‘ from the content slider. Tap on the square tile in the bottom left corner to access your device camera roll, and choose the photo or video you want to upload.
Step 2: Tap the pen icon in the top-right corner
Once you’ve uploaded the relevant content, tap the pen in the top right corner of your screen. This feature will allow you to draw on the screen or apply colors as necessary.
Tap the pen on Instagram stories
Step 3: Choose the second marker to enable the transparency effect
From the options that appear, choose the second marker from the left. This marker is what you’ll need to make your image overlay transparent.
Tap the pen on Instagram stories
Step 4: Select a color for the overlay, and apply it by holding the screen
At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a selection of colors. Use this menu to choose a color for your overlay. Alternatively, click and hold any of the colors to access a wider color selection, or use the eyedropper to choose a color from your image itself. When you’ve chosen the right color, press and hold the screen to apply the overlay.
Tap and hold screen to apply color
Step 5: Use the eraser to remove parts of the overlay if desired
When your picture or video is covered, tap the photo eraser brush. This tool allows you to erase the transparency from any part of the photo as needed. You can use this to remove any unwanted sections of overlay.
Tap the eraser tool
Feeling a little stuck? Check out a full tutorial on the Plann YouTube channel!
Overlay Ideas for Instagram Stories
Need some ideas? We’ve got ’em! There are so many creative ways you can use transparent overlays.
If you’re sharing multiple photos at once, consider using an overlay to help you create a high-impact moodboard. Alternatively, use a transparent overlay to draw attention to specific on-screen elements, like a logo, link, or text block.
Use an overlay when you upload fresh products or launches. Overlays can help you implement simple branded designs for testimonials, sales, and more. You can even use overlays as teasers for upcoming announcements!
What Are the Best Colors to Use for Transparent Overlays?
When it comes to choosing overlay colors, it’s totally up to you, so don’t be afraid to get creative. However, there are some best practices you should keep in mind.
First and foremost, it’s important that you stay true to your brand. Whenever you can, try to work within your brand’a color palette, and use overlays as part of an overall branding strategy. This can help you maintain a consistent visual identity that makes it easy for users to recognise your content when they see it.
It’s also important to create stories that strategically engage your audience. When choosing overlay colors, prioritise clarity. Choose colors that offer high levels of contrast so that on-screen text is easy to read and your followers can get true value out of your stories.
Tips for Instagram Story Engagement
Can transparent overlays really help with Instagram story engagement? Yes!
When it comes to sharing story content, interactivity is key. Polls, questions, and quizzes are all great tools for encouraging participation and getting people involved in what you have to say.
How can overlays help?
You can use the design of your story overlays to pull focus back to on-screen calls to action. Consider overlays as storytelling tools. Use them in ways that direct audience attention and encourage them to look for ways to engage.
How to Boost Your Instagram Stories Using Plann
Instagram stories have POWER for businesses like yours. So it’s time to make the most of it.
Check out Plann’s intuitive social media scheduling tools to plan your stories ahead of time (and design them with extra flair!). By creating and scheduling Instagram stories in advance, you can ensure you’re always up to date with your social strategy and that you never run out of fresh content ideas.
Better yet, with Plann, you can access performance metrics and analytics tools that help you understand which story formats work best for your unique audience. This can help you make updates as needed to better serve your online community.
Ready to get started? Schedule your stories starting right now! Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial of Plann.
