Web Development: How to Make an Instagram Puzzle Template (Grid Template)

How to Make an Instagram Puzzle Template (Grid Template)

Final product image — What You'll Be Creating

Hello! As you may have noticed, the Instagram puzzle layout is pretty popular right now because it can effectively grab your followers' attention. A good-looking Instagram puzzle feed can instantly boost engagement. So, are you wondering how to create an Instagram puzzle template in Adobe Photoshop? Today, we're going to make one!

If you are looking for an amazing, multi-purpose Instagram photo grid Photoshop template, take a look at this stunning Instagram grid template available at Envato Elements:

Tutorial Assets

Before learning how to make an Instagram puzzle feed template, I want to show you which assets were used during the production of the tutorial, although you can use your own photos and fonts as well:

What You'll Learn in This Puzzle Template Instagram Tutorial

Things to consider before making your Instagram grid feed template
How to create a universal Instagram grid puzzle template layout
How to place pictures and create design elements for your Instagram puzzle feed template PSD file
How to save a puzzle template Instagram file as ready-to-upload posts
Where you can download the best Instagram puzzle template

1. Things to Consider Before Making Your Instagram Photo Grid Photoshop Template

Step 1

The most important thing before making your own Instagram template is to determine how your Instagram template will look. Let's start by selecting the colors! Check out the accounts you like or take a look at any other designs which you find attractive. Keep in mind that your photos must match your color palette.

Once you've found your inspiration, we need to create a color palette in Photoshop. To do that, go to Window > Swatches and then select/add colors with the Color Picker.

A color palette will help us to keep the Instagram puzzle in a consistent style—you can choose the photos and design elements by relying on the palette. These are the colors I chose for my template; you can use this palette or any other colors you like.

#fcdccf
#fe918d
#f4e7eb
#c1cfd2
#2d2624

Creating a color palette for instagram template

Step 2

The next important thing to decide is which design elements and photos you will use in your template. Do you want to keep it simple, with only photos and shapes? Do you need posts with text? Once you have decided, we can prepare the elements we want to use. Save all the photos and design elements in one folder so that you have them at your fingerprints.

2. How to Create a Universal Instagram Grid Template Layout

Step 1

Let's create a universal and easy-to-use Instagram grid template, which can be used for both planning your posts and creating Instagram puzzles! Press Control-N to create a new document and set the size to 3240 x 3240 px.

Step 2

Create a rectangle shape with a size of 1080 x 1080 pixels, and rename the layer Day 01. Hold Shift and move it to the bottom-right corner of the document.

Step 3

Create eight copies of this shape by pressing Control-J, and fill the whole document with these rectangles from right to left. This will help us to plan our Instagram posts. You can also add the Guides by dragging the lines from the rulers (press Control-R to see the rulers).

Step 4

To add a color to the background of the post's placeholder, just Double-Click on the layer, and then select Color Overlay and pick a color from your palette.

Step 5

If you want to add the color to the whole template's background, just select all the layers while holding Shift, group them by pressing Control-G, and then make this group Invisible. After that, select the background layer, press Shift-F5, and select the color you want to use.

creating a group and filling the background layer with color

3. How to Place Pictures and Create Design Elements for Your Instagram Puzzle Feed Template PSD File

Step 1

To place your photo, go to File > Place, select the image you want to use, and then place it where you want it to appear. The rulers will help you to see which parts of the template it will take.

Step 2

Once you've finished with the placing, just rearrange and resize (with the Control-T shortcut) elements as you like.

Step 3

If you need to crop a photo, you can select an area with the Rectangular Marquee Tool and then press Delete to remove the unwanted parts.

removing the unwanted parts of the document

Step 4

Feel free to use layer style settings to diversify the final look of your template. For example, here I added a Stroke layer style to the bottom two images.

Step 5

Now let's add a text or logo layer to our template. Don't forget to use colors from our palette! This way, the text/logo will fit the style. I've added "Look Book 2021" and framed it with a rectangle.

Step 6

You can also create a solid shape filled with the colors from our palette and add some more text if needed. Notice: when you create Insta-puzzles, try to make all the elements look like independent posts. As you can see, all the elements of our Instagram puzzle template work well even without the puzzle itself.

adding shapes and text layer to the instagram puzzle template

4. How to Save an Instagram Puzzle Template as Ready-to-Upload Posts

Step 1

We are ready to save our Instagram puzzle! Right-Click on any layer and select Merge Visible.

Step 2

Select the bottom right square (day 01) with the Rectangular Marquee Tool and then go to Image > Crop.

Step 3

Save this cropped Image as Puzzle Element 01, and then save all the elements the same way, one by one, from the bottom right corner to the top left corner. Once you've finished, you can upload them one by one from Puzzle Element 01 to Puzzle Element 09.

saving the first element of instagram puzzle

Awesome Work, You're Now Done!

Today, you've learned how to create an Instagram puzzle Photoshop template using simple techniques. Feel free to experiment to create different puzzle Instagram feed themes and find the one that's most suitable for you.

If you're looking for a place where you can download an Instagram puzzle template with a perfect and professional design, visit Envato Elements and take a look at the collection of hand-picked templates:

Instagram Floral Grid Filler Posts (JPG, PSD)

This lovely, minimalistic Instagram puzzle layout is suitable for almost any type of Instagram account, from design to fashion. It offers a great combination of pastel colors and simple flower fillers. All the elements and colors are fully editable, and in total you will get 20 PSD files and 100 JPEG files.

Instagram Floral Grid Filler Posts Template

Instagram Grid Posts 3 Themes (JPG, PSD)

With this Instagram grid feed template, you can easily create 27 posts for your account with just one PSD file. This amazing product will make your puzzle Instagram feed theme beautiful and refine your brand look. A neutral-looking design can be easily adjusted to any of your needs. Give this a try!

Panorama Instagram Post Grid Template (PSD)

Looking for an Instagram puzzle feed template PSD file which would be suitable for both business and personal purposes? Check out this neat and clean Instagram puzzle Photoshop template with fully editable placeholders, vector shapes, and solid colors. Save your time and concentrate on your content, while this template will take care of all the design effort!

Dunk: Instagram Puzzle Template (PSD)

If you want something more bold and colorful, check out "Dunk"! In this Instagram grid puzzle template, you will find everything you need to add retro aesthetics and make your feed look cool. The main PSD file is fully editable and well-layered with vector-based shapes. Try this one and you won't regret it!

Moody: Instagram Puzzle Template (PSD)

An Instagram puzzle feed template download was never so desirable! You get 12 stunning Instagram puzzle templates with beautiful color elements, minimalistic vector shapes, and an easy-to-use structure. Just place your pictures, change the text, adjust the colors, and voila! Just download this Instagram puzzle template in a few seconds!

And that's not all! I have some more great insights for you. Did you know that you can create not just a link tree, but a whole site right on your Phone? Try the Milkshape App and you'll create a website in minutes, even if you have no design or web skills.

Learn more about Instagram templates and design on Envato Tuts+: