Mastering the Art of Instagram Story Repost Backgrounds: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you want to jazz up your Instagram story reposts? Fantastic! You’ve come to the right place. In a nutshell, changing the background of an Instagram story repost involves using the drawing tools, adding a background photo from your camera roll, or utilizing the color picker within the Instagram story editor. Let’s dive into the specifics and unlock your creative potential.

Demystifying the Instagram Story Repost Background Change

Repurposing content on Instagram Stories is a powerful engagement tool. But simply slapping a repost onto your story can feel… well, a bit bland. Customizing the background is where you inject personality and branding, making the repost seamlessly integrate with your overall story aesthetic. There are several methods you can employ, ranging from simple color washes to intricate photo collages.

Method 1: The Classic Color Wash

This is arguably the easiest and quickest method.

1. Share the Post to Your Story: Tap the share icon (the paper airplane) under the post you want to repost, and select “Add post to your story.”
2. Access the Drawing Tool: Once the post appears in your story editor, tap the drawing tool icon (usually a squiggly line at the top right).
3. Select a Color: Choose your desired background color from the color palette at the bottom. You can also tap and hold any color to access a full spectrum.
4. Fill the Screen: This is the magic step. Tap and hold your finger on the screen for a few seconds. The entire screen will flood with the selected color, obscuring the original background.
5. Erase to Reveal: Now, use the eraser tool to reveal parts of the original post, like the main image or the username. This creates a visually interesting layered effect.

Method 2: Photo Background Extravaganza

For a more visually dynamic background, use a photo from your camera roll.

1. Share the Post to Your Story: As before, share the post to your story.
2. Add a Photo from Your Camera Roll: Tap the sticker icon (the square smiley face) at the top. Select the camera roll icon.
3. Choose Your Background Photo: Select the photo you want to use as your background.
4. Position and Resize: Resize and position the photo to cover the entire background of the story. You might need to pinch and zoom.
5. Layering is Key: Make sure the photo is behind the reposted content. If it’s covering the repost, tap and hold on the photo, then select “Send to Back.” This ensures the repost is visible on top.
6. Creative Cropping: Experiment with different cropping techniques within the photo editor before adding it to your story. This can add focus to certain parts of your background.

Method 3: The Color Picker Advantage

This method offers precision when matching your background to specific elements of the reposted content.

1. Share the Post to Your Story: Same drill – share the post to your story.
2. Access the Drawing Tool: Tap the drawing tool icon.
3. Activate the Color Picker: The color picker is usually an eyedropper icon. Tap it.
4. Sample a Color: Use the eyedropper to select a color directly from the reposted post. This could be a color in the image, the logo, or the text.
5. Fill the Screen: Once you’ve selected your color, tap and hold the screen to flood the background.
6. Erase and Enhance: Use the eraser tool to reveal portions of the repost and add visual interest.

Bonus Tip: Leveraging GIFs and Stickers

Don’t underestimate the power of GIFs and stickers! They can add movement, humor, and personality to your background. Search for relevant GIFs using keywords related to the original post or your brand. Experiment with different sticker placements and animations to create a truly unique repost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s address some common questions that often arise when customizing Instagram story repost backgrounds.

1. Can I use a video as the background for my repost?

Yes, you can! The process is very similar to using a photo. Just select a video from your camera roll instead. Keep in mind that longer videos might need to be trimmed to fit the 15-second story limit.

2. How do I make the background transparent?

Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t natively support completely transparent backgrounds for reposts. However, you can create the illusion of transparency by using the color picker to match the background to the color of your Instagram story template (if you use one).

3. Is there a way to add a gradient background?

While Instagram doesn’t have a built-in gradient tool, you can create a gradient effect by layering different colors using the drawing tool and strategically erasing portions of each layer. It requires a bit of finesse, but the results can be stunning.

4. Can I change the background color of multiple reposts at once?

No, Instagram doesn’t offer a batch editing feature for story backgrounds. You’ll need to customize each repost individually.

5. How do I undo a mistake when changing the background?

The undo arrow at the bottom of the screen is your best friend! Use it to reverse your last action. If you’ve made multiple mistakes, tap the undo arrow repeatedly.

6. Why is the “Add post to your story” option missing?

This usually happens if the original poster has disabled story sharing for their posts. It’s a privacy setting they control.

7. Can I use branded templates for my story repost backgrounds?

Absolutely! Creating branded templates is a fantastic way to maintain consistency and reinforce your brand identity. Design your templates in a tool like Canva or Adobe Spark, save them to your camera roll, and then use them as background photos for your reposts.

8. How do I keep the reposted content from getting distorted when I resize the background?

Be mindful of the aspect ratio of your background image or video. Using images or videos with a similar aspect ratio to Instagram stories (9:16) will minimize distortion.

9. What are some creative ideas for repost backgrounds beyond solid colors and photos?

Get creative with GIFs, textured overlays (downloaded from the internet or created yourself), and collages. Experiment with different font styles and sizes for text overlays to add context or commentary.

10. How can I ensure my background doesn’t distract from the original post?

The key is balance. Choose subtle colors or backgrounds that complement the original post rather than overpowering it. Avoid overly busy patterns or animations that could compete for attention.

11. Is it possible to save a customized repost background as a template for future use?

While Instagram doesn’t directly offer this feature, you can save a blank story with your customized background as a draft. Then, when you want to repost something, simply access the draft and add the reposted content on top.

12. How can I see examples of great Instagram story repost backgrounds for inspiration?

Follow brands and influencers whose aesthetics you admire. Pay attention to how they use backgrounds to enhance their reposts and adapt their techniques to your own style. Also, explore Instagram for tutorials and inspiration using hashtags like #instagramstorytips and #storydesign.

By mastering these techniques and exploring your own creativity, you can transform your Instagram story reposts from basic shares into engaging and visually compelling content that captivates your audience. Happy storytelling!