The quickest way to get a solid background colour on a story: open any photo in the Stories camera, tap the draw tool, pick a colour, then press and hold the screen for about a second. The whole frame floods with that colour. For a text-only card, use the Type / Create mode and its background options. As of 2026 these controls work this way, though Instagram may move the draw tools.
Method 1: The draw-and-hold fill (most reliable)
This trick turns any photo into a solid colour card, perfect for text posts, announcements or story dividers:
- Open the Stories camera and take a photo, or pick any image (it will be covered, so it does not matter which).
- Tap the draw tool, a squiggle or pen icon, at the top.
- Select the solid pen (the first brush) and choose a colour from the row at the bottom.
- Press and hold anywhere on the screen for about one second.
- The entire frame fills with your chosen colour.
- Add text or stickers on top, then share.
If it does not fill, you probably tapped instead of holding, or picked a brush that does not flood-fill. Use the solid pen and hold steadily.
Want the photo to show through?
Choose the highlighter / marker brush instead of the solid pen before you press and hold. It lays down a translucent tint, so the underlying photo stays partly visible. This is a great way to dim a busy image so overlaid text is readable.
Method 2: Text (Type / Create) mode
For a plain colour card with no photo at all:
- Open the Stories camera and swipe through the modes at the bottom to Type or Create.
- Start typing; a coloured or gradient background often appears automatically.
- Tap the background colour circle (bottom corner) to cycle through solid and gradient options.
- Adjust your text, then share.
The available backgrounds in Type mode vary by app version and region, so if you want an exact shade, the draw-and-hold method gives you more control.
Picking any colour you want
You are not limited to the preset swatches:
- Full spectrum: in the colour row, press and hold any swatch to open a slider that spans the whole spectrum.
- Eyedropper: tap the eyedropper icon to sample a colour directly from your photo, useful for matching a brand shade or an object in the image.
Background methods compared
| Method | Result | Colour control | Photo visible? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid pen + hold | Solid colour fill | Full spectrum | No |
| Highlighter + hold | Translucent tint | Full spectrum | Partly |
| Type / Create mode | Solid or gradient card | Presets (varies) | No photo |
| Eyedropper sample | Match a colour in image | Any sampled shade | Depends on brush |
Design tips
- Contrast for readability. Dark background with light text, or vice versa, keeps things legible.
- Mind the safe zone. Keep text clear of the top and bottom edges where your username and reply bar appear.
- Match brand colours. Use the eyedropper or the spectrum slider to hit an exact hex-like shade.
- Full-bleed by default. A colour fill covers the whole 1080 x 1920 canvas automatically, so no resizing needed. If you are adding photos on top, our Instagram sizes guide lists the right dimensions.
No app or login required
Everything here is built into Instagram, you never need a third-party “story background” app, and you should never type your Instagram login into one. Apps that ask for your username and password to add backgrounds or “post for you” are a security risk with no upside. If you do want to design more elaborate backgrounds off-app, use an on-device editor that only exports an image you upload yourself. StealthGram’s free tools are all client-side and login-free by design, and our privacy hub explains what viewers can and cannot see about your stories.
Quick summary
For a solid story background, open a photo, pick the draw tool and a colour, and press-and-hold to flood-fill. Use the highlighter brush for a see-through tint, or Type mode for a photo-free colour card. Press-and-hold a swatch for the full spectrum, or use the eyedropper to match a colour. It all covers the 1080 x 1920 canvas automatically, no extra app, no login. Next, try our collage guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get a solid colour background on a story?
Take or pick any photo, tap the draw (squiggle/pen) tool, choose a colour, then press and hold anywhere on the screen for a second. The whole frame fills with that colour, as of 2026. Instagram may change the draw controls over time.
How do I make a plain-colour background without a photo?
Open the Stories camera and swipe to a text mode ("Type" / "Create"). Some versions offer solid or gradient backgrounds you can tap through. Otherwise use the draw-and-hold trick over any image.
Can I pick any colour, not just the presets?
Yes. In the draw or text colour picker, press and hold a colour swatch to open a full spectrum slider. You can also use the eyedropper tool to sample any colour already in your photo.
How do I make a semi-transparent colour overlay?
Choose the highlighter or marker style in the draw tool instead of the pen, then press and hold. It fills the screen with a translucent tint so the photo shows through, handy for making text readable.
Why did my background fill not work?
You likely tapped instead of pressing and holding, or you are using a brush that does not flood-fill. Pick the solid pen, hold for about a second, and make sure your finger is on an empty part of the screen.
What size is the story background?
The story canvas is 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16). A colour fill covers the whole frame automatically, so you do not need to resize anything for a solid background.