Step-by-Step: How to Design an Eye-Catching Instagram Carousel
- Rea Weeks
- Jul 25, 2025
- 4 min read
You’ve got a message. You’ve got a story. You’ve got content that can help people, inspire people, or delight them in their scroll.
But… you’ve only got a few seconds to catch their eye before they swipe away. 😬
That’s where Instagram carousels come in. These scrollable, multi-image posts are not just trendy—they’re incredibly powerful. They stop the scroll, invite engagement, and help you teach, inspire, or tell a story in a really visually compelling way.
And today? I’m showing you exactly how to design an eye-catching carousel in Canva, step-by-step. 🎨✨Whether you’re a small business owner, content creator, or scrapbook-loving storyteller, this guide will help you turn your ideas into beautiful, scroll-stopping magic.
Let’s get designing!
💡 Why Carousels Work (And Why You Should Be Using Them)
Carousels are like mini blog posts for your feed. They let you:
Break down tips step-by-step
Tell a visual story or transformation
Highlight a product or process
Create tutorials, quotes, or checklists
Encourage saves, shares, and swipes!
The more people swipe through, the more time they spend engaging with your post—and that tells Instagram’s algorithm, “Hey, this content is good!” 👀
So not only are carousels fun—they’re strategic.
🛠 Step-by-Step: How to Design a Carousel in Canva
Ready to create your own? Here’s how I design my carousels in Canva (and how you can too!):
Step 1: Set Up the Right Dimensions
Start a new Canva design with 1080px by 1080px for square posts or 1080px by 1350px for portrait-style (which gives more vertical space and performs really well!).
💡 To create a multi-slide post that flows together, just keep adding new pages in the same design file.
Step 2: Plan Out Your Story or Message
Think of your carousel like a mini-book. Ask yourself:
What’s the hook or headline? (This goes on Slide 1!)
What steps or points do I want to share?
What’s the call to action at the end?
A good flow might look like:
Cover image with a strong headline
Intro or problem
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Bonus or takeaway
CTA (save, share, visit the link in bio, etc.)
Step 3: Choose Your Brand Colors & Fonts (Hint: Use Canva’s Brand Kit!)
Consistency is key. Using the same fonts, colors, and style across your slides helps your audience immediately recognize your content.
🎨 If you’re a Canva Pro user, don’t forget to load up your Brand Kit so you can apply your visual identity with just a click!
Step 4: Add Engaging Graphics & Icons
Use Canva’s built-in elements to:
Break up text
Emphasize important points
Add fun details like arrows, scribbles, checkmarks, or cute stickers
🛍 Want pre-made Canva templates you can drop your content into?👉 Check out my shop: A Rea of Treasures on EtsyYou’ll find carousel templates, social media kits, and digital goodies for creative entrepreneurs.
Step 5: Keep Text Easy to Read
Here’s the golden rule: Don’t overload your slides. White space is your friend!
Use:
Large headings
Short, scannable bullet points
Clear visuals or icons to support your text
3–4 lines of text max per slide
Step 6: Add Slide Transitions (Optional, but Fun!)
If you want your slides to feel like one seamless design (especially in a “scrolling story” style), drag design elements—like a background shape or image—slightly off the edge of one slide and line it up perfectly on the next.
💫 This creates that "connected" swipe effect people love!
Step 7: Add a Strong Final Slide
Your last slide is your call to action—and it’s so important!
You could say:
“Save this post for later”
“Share with a friend who needs this!”
“Visit my Etsy shop for matching templates”
“Join my email list for more Canva tips!”
🎉 Tips for Making Your Carousel Really Pop
Use bold contrast—think white text on a dark background or bright colors that grab attention
Add mockups or product previews if you're promoting something
Include a subtle “Swipe 👉” icon on the first slide to encourage engagement
Keep it on-brand so every post feels like you
💌 Want More Canva Goodness in Your Inbox?
Designing content shouldn’t feel overwhelming. If you want support, freebies, and encouragement from someone who gets it—come join my email list!
You'll get:
Canva design tips & tricks
Content creation inspiration
Free printable resources
First dibs on new products in my Etsy shop
Let’s build your beautiful, intentional brand—together. 💛
🛍 Shop My Canva Templates on Etsy
If you want a head start, I’ve created pre-made carousel templates in Canva just for content creators like you!
They’re:
Easy to customize
On-brand and stylish
Designed to help you save time and stand out
Friend, you don’t need to be a designer to create content that wows—you just need the right tools, a little direction, and that creative spark that’s already inside you.
💛 Final Thoughts
Now go out there and make something scroll-stopping!
Rea 🌻Creator of A Rea of Treasures
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