To recolor the backdrop of an Instagram story, add a photo, open the draw tool, pick the pen and a color, then press and hold anywhere until the whole frame fills. For a gradient, use text mode and tap the color circle. For a see-through tint, hold with the highlighter instead.
A plain background can make a story look finished: a clean base for text, a calm frame around a screenshot, or a colour that matches your brand. Instagram offers three ways to get there, and each suits a different story. Below are the steps, a comparison table, a few design tips and answers to the common problems.
Menu names change between app versions. If a button is labelled differently, look for the pen or draw icon and the text mode with the "Aa" button.
Which method should you use?
Pick the method by what you want to show.
| Method | Best for | Where the color sits |
|---|---|---|
| Pen fill | A solid background behind a screenshot or a cut-out | Over the image, until you erase part of it |
| Text mode gradient | Quote cards, announcements, questions | Behind the text |
| Highlighter tint | A soft color wash over a photo | Semi-transparent over the photo |
If you want text on a plain background, text mode is the fastest. If you want to place a photo or screenshot on a colour, use the pen fill and then erase. If you only want to warm up a photo, use the tint.
How to fill the background with a solid color
This is the classic method.
- Open Instagram and swipe right, or tap the plus icon, to create a story.
- Choose a photo or video from your gallery, or take a quick one. A throwaway picture works, since the colour will cover it.
- Tap the draw icon at the top. On some versions it is inside a three-dot menu.
- Select the pen tool.
- Pick a colour from the row at the bottom. Swipe through the row to see more options.
- Press and hold anywhere on the screen. After a moment the whole frame fills with the colour.
- Add text, stickers or photos on top, then post.
Two tricks help:
- Match a colour exactly. Use the eyedropper in the colour row and tap an object in your photo. Instagram samples that colour, which is handy for matching a logo.
- Mix colours. Press and hold with the first colour, then pick a second and draw shapes over it for a simple pattern.
How to put a photo on a colored background
You may want the colour to surround a picture instead of covering it.
- Fill the screen with colour as above.
- Open the sticker tray and choose the photo sticker, or paste a picture you copied.
- Resize the picture with two fingers and place it where you want.
- Add text if needed and post.
Another way: add the photo first, fill with colour, then use the eraser and drag across the area where the photo should show. The brush size slider on the side controls how large the erased area is.
How to use a gradient background
Gradients come from the text mode.
- Open the story camera.
- Swipe to the create mode and tap Aa.
- Tap the colour circle at the bottom of the screen. Each tap cycles to a new gradient.
- Type your text and post.
Gradients are available in text mode only. If you need one behind a photo, take a screenshot of a gradient story and use it as your base image.
How to add a see-through tint
A transparent tint lets the photo show through.
- Add your photo to the story.
- Open the draw tool and choose the highlighter instead of the pen.
- Pick a colour.
- Press and hold on the screen to wash the whole picture with a transparent layer.
The effect is subtle, so try a lighter colour if the photo disappears. You can undo with the arrow at the top.
Design tips that make the colour work
- Mind the contrast. Dark text on a dark background cannot be read. Use white text on deep colours and dark text on light ones.
- Keep to two or three colours. A consistent palette helps followers recognise your stories.
- Leave space. Do not cover the top and bottom edges with important text, because the interface sits there.
- Test on a small screen. What looks fine on your phone may feel cramped on a smaller one.
- Use brand colours. If you have a profile for business, repeat the same colours in stories and in the feed.
Why doesn't the color fill work?
Check this list.
- [ ] Are you pressing and holding, not tapping once? A short tap only draws a dot.
- [ ] Is the pen selected, not the eraser or the marker?
- [ ] Is the app up to date? Older versions hide some tools.
- [ ] Did you start in text mode? The press-and-hold fill belongs to the draw tool.
- [ ] Did the colour cover the photo? Use the eraser if you want it back.
Once you publish a story, you cannot change its background. Delete it and post again, or use the archive to share it as a new story. Our article on how to unarchive a story or post explains where old stories live.
When are colored stories most useful?
A coloured background works well for:
- announcements and sales dates, where text is the main message;
- polls and question stickers, which stand out on a plain base;
- quotes and short tips that you want people to screenshot;
- a pause between photo-heavy stories, so the sequence does not feel crowded.
It also pays to track how each style performs. Timing matters as much as design, so test posting windows using the posting-time guide.
How it works at LikeMan
A neat story still needs viewers. Story views from LikeMan need nothing but the public link to your profile; there is no password step. Checkout shows the cost first, the order then runs on its own after payment, and a decline across the following year is compensated.
Views give a story a first audience. They do not replace a clear idea, and they do not change how Instagram counts reach. For more on counting, see how Instagram counts reel views, and the rest of our catalogue sits on the Instagram hub.
Which colors work for different goals?
Colour carries a mood, so choose it to match the message.
- Warm tones such as orange and coral suit sales, giveaways and energetic announcements.
- Cool tones such as blue and teal suit tutorials, tips and calm brand updates.
- Neutral tones such as cream and light grey suit minimal, editorial looks and make photos stand out.
- Dark backgrounds suit evening posts and dramatic launches, but they need bright, large text.
If you are unsure, build a small palette of three colours and rotate them. After a few weeks check which stories got the most replies and taps forward, and keep the winners. Consistency teaches followers what your stories look like at a glance, which is a quiet form of branding.
FAQ
Can I change the background color of a story after posting?
No. Delete the story and post a new one, or share it again from the archive with a different background.
Why can't I find the gradient background?
Gradients live in text mode. Open the create mode, tap Aa and tap the colour circle.
How do I get a custom color that is not in the row?
Use the eyedropper to copy a colour from a photo, or press and hold on the colour circle in the pen tool to open more shades.
How do I make the background transparent?
Use the highlighter instead of the pen, and fill with a light colour.
Can I use a different color on every story?
Yes, but a consistent palette helps your account look recognisable.
Conclusion
A solid fill, a gradient or a tint can all change an Instagram story's look in under a minute. Use the pen with press and hold for a solid base, text mode for a gradient and the highlighter for a soft wash. Keep contrast high, repeat your colours and remember that the background cannot be changed after posting.