Instagram Reel Cover | How to Create Scroll-Stopping Designs

What are Instagram Reel covers

Instagram Reel covers are preview images that appear in the Reels tab or grid section before someone taps to watch the video. For this, you can either pick a frame from the Reel video or upload a custom image from your device.

Many creators use covers to organize their content or highlight key parts of the video through text or visuals. A clear cover can draw attention and bring more views to the Instagram Reel by showing the value of the content right away.

Instagram Reel cover template ideas you can try

• Minimalist covers: This style uses simple backgrounds and one or two clear elements. It works well when the focus is on one idea or message. Since there's no clutter, the viewer knows what the video is about right away.
• Text-only covers: If your video explains something, shares tips, or breaks down a topic, the text-only template style is best. The text becomes the headline, which is short and easy to read, and the solid backgrounds and bold fonts give the words more weight, so your audience can scroll by and still catch what it's about.
• Product highlight frames: When the Reel centers on a product, the product highlight cover lets the item take the spotlight. You can frame the product with light graphics or shapes to bring focus to it. This style is ideal for launches, demos, or reviews where the product image gives enough context.
• Face-centered close-ups: This style draws attention by focusing on expressions. It often shows a person mid-reaction or speaking directly to the camera. That small detail adds clarity, since the viewer can instantly recognize who's speaking or what kind of mood the video carries. This style connects naturally with content that is direct, like behind-the-scenes clips, honest opinions, or tutorials shared in a casual way.

How to add an Instagram Reels cover

STEP 1
1. Create your Reel

First, open the Instagram app and tap "+" at the bottom center of the screen. Choose "Reel" from the options, either record a new clip or select one from your camera roll, and tap "Next." You can also use an AI Reel generator to create your video.

STEP 2
1. Edit the Reel

After that, tap "Edit Video" and use Instagram's in-app tools to crop, adjust speed, add music, text, or stickers. These edits shape the video before you move to the next step. Tap "Next" again.

STEP 3
1. Create and edit the cover

You'll now see the preview screen where you can add a caption, location, tags, or hashtags. Tap "Edit Cover" below the video thumbnail. You can swipe through your video to find a frame to use or tap "Add From Camera Roll" to upload a custom image. There's also a text option (Aa icon) if you want to label your cover.

STEP 4
1. Adjust the grid view

Next up, tap "Crop Profile Image" to preview how the cover will display on your Instagram feed. Hold and drag the cover image to center it properly. This step is useful when your cover comes from a video frame and needs slight positioning.

STEP 5
1. Publish your Reel

After the cover and layout are set, tap "Done'' to return to the final screen. Then, complete your caption, double-check the settings, and tap "Share" to publish your Reel with the selected cover.

How to edit the Instagram Reel cover after posting

You can still update your Reel cover even after it's live. Here's how to do it in a few quick steps:

STEP 1
1. Open the Reel

Scroll through your Instagram feed or visit your profile to find the Reel you want to update. Tap it to open the video in full screen.

STEP 2
1. Edit the Reel

Once the Reel opens, tap the three dots (bottom right corner) and select "Manage." From the menu that appears, select "Edit."

STEP 3
1. Change the cover

On the edit screen, tap "Edit" on the thumbnail to enter the cover editor and select a frame in the video or click "Add From Camera Roll" to upload one from your device. Adjust the grid view through the "Crop Profile Image" option and tap "Done."

STEP 4
1. Save the Reel

Finally, tap the "Checkmark" icon in the top-right corner to apply the new changes and save the Reel.

How to create an Instagram Reel cover photo using Pippit

Pippit is an advanced content creator for small business owners, content creators, or marketers to design scroll-stopping Reels covers that match your brand and catch attention at first glance.

With Pippit, you can also generate sales posters from text, change photo backgrounds, upscale Reel covers, and edit images in one place. It also includes templates sorted by size and style, so your covers fit Instagram perfectly and stay on trend.

Quick steps to create Instagram Reel cover photo using Pippit

You can create an engaging cover for your Instagram reel with these steps on Pippit:

STEP 1
1. Open the image editor

All you need to do is sign up for Pippit and click "Image Studio." Here, click "Image Editor," select the preset Instagram Reel cover dimensions or enter manually, and hit "Create" to open the editing space.

You can also simply go to the "Inspiration" tab from the main dashboard, select a template, and click "Use This Template" to open it in the image editor.

STEP 2
1. Create the Reel cover

Now, click "Upload" to bring in your product image and go to "Text" to layer a headline, title, or short caption on the cover. Use "Shapes," "Stickers," and "Frames" to design a layout manually. You can apply a color scheme using the preset palette in the "Design" tab. It also has the "From Photo" and "Optimize Color" options to smartly match the colors of each element in your Reel design.

STEP 3
1. Export to your device

After you are done, click "Download All," set the format to JPG or PNG, select the size & quality, choose whether you want a watermark, and hit "Download."

Key features of the Pippit Instagram Reel cover maker

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1. Pre-cleared Instagram Reel cover templates

Pippit includes templates specifically for Reel covers. They're already sized and formatted for the Reels grid, so you don't need to adjust dimensions. Each template is customizable and sorted by theme or industry, so you can easily find the one that fits your video topic. Since they come with commercial use rights, you can use them freely in your business content. You can also find promo video templates in this library.

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1. Powerful image editing space

Pippit comes with an advanced image editing space to let you customize every detail of your Reel cover design. You can adjust brightness, add filters, overlay text, place stickers, or frame the cover with shapes and colors. These tools are especially useful when you're working with product shots or need to highlight a specific detail in your cover.

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1. Smart resize option

Pippit's smart resize tool lets you switch between formats without ruining the design. You can preview and fine-tune how your cover looks to ensure the key visuals or text stay visible in the feed.

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1. Auto-publisher and analytics

Pippit can schedule the post for Instagram and track how it performs. You get data on views, clicks, and engagement, so you know which covers attract more attention. Over time, this lets you refine your cover style based on what works best.

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1. Text to design generator

If you're starting with just a title or idea, Pippit's AI image generator can turn that into a full cover layout. You simply enter a short prompt or headline, and the tool suggests design options with fonts, backgrounds, and placement already applied. This is perfect for quote-based Reels, tutorials, or announcement posts where the text matters most.

Bonus: Create engaging Instagram Reels using AI with Pippit

With Pippit, you can shape Reel from a prompt, link, or images and get it ready to post within minutes. Here's how to do it, step by step:

STEP 1
1. Open the video generator

Visit the Pippit web page and sign in to your account. Once you're in, click on "Video Generator" or "Marketing Video" to open the main workspace. You can type a short idea, paste a link, upload product images, or drop in a document. After entering your input, adjust the settings to choose the length, voice style, and aspect ratio, and select whether to include an avatar. Then, click "Generate" to move forward.

STEP 2
1. Generate video

Next, click the pencil icon labeled "Edit Video Info." You can edit the theme and intro, upload a brand logo, choose a category, name your company, and click "Confirm." Then, scroll down to add more details like highlights, promo type, or audience. Then, move to the video types section and select whether you want Pippit to auto-match the script or select the type and script manually. Pick your voice and style, and click "Generate" again to create videos.

STEP 3
1. Export and share

When the videos are ready, choose one to use for Instagram Reel. You can click "Quick Edit" to update the captions, reorder clips, or adjust the script. Lastly, hit "Export" and pick the quality, resolution, and format that match Instagram Reel's specs.

Best practices for Instagram Reel cover design

• Use bold text and contrast: When someone scrolls past your Reel, their eyes stop on what's easiest to read. That's why bold text matters, as it stands out right away and tells people what the video's about in seconds. You can pair it with strong contrast, like dark text on a light background or the other way around, so nothing blends in or gets missed. This combo works well when your message needs to be quick and clear.
• Avoid cluttered backgrounds: A background filled with too many details can pull focus away from what matters. If there are bright patterns, busy scenes, or overlapping colors, it becomes harder to notice the main subject. So, it's best to use a soft background, solid tone, or lightly textured space to focus the attention on the product, text, or person you want viewers to notice first.
• Keep key visuals centered: Always place the main subject (whether it's a product, person, or title) closer to the center to ensure the important parts remain visible. This is better than placing details near the borders that might disappear later.
• Stick to your brand colors: If you use the same group of colors on your covers, your profile might be easier to recognize when someone revisits it. It gives a rhythm to your posts and brings everything together without repeating content.
• Preview in grid view before posting: What looks great full-screen might change in your profile grid. That's why it is ideal to check the square crop before publishing. By sliding the image and seeing how it fits, you avoid cuts or awkward placement. It takes just a second, but shapes how everything lines up in your feed.

Conclusion

In this article, we've explored what an Instagram Reel cover is and how you can add one to your videos before publishing. We've also shared steps to edit it after posting your content, discussed some template ideas, and provided best practices for better results. To simplify the entire process, try using Pippit. It gives you templates, editing tools, smart resize options, and custom export settings. Start your next Reel cover with Pippit and give your content the sharp, scroll-stopping edge it deserves.

FAQs

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1. Why does the Instagram Reel cover size and placement matter?

The Instagram Reel cover size and placement matter because they affect how your video appears on both your profile grid and the Reels feed. If the cover isn't sized correctly or the main subject sits too close to the edges, important parts might get cropped. To skip guesswork, you can use Pippit to design Reel covers with the right size from the start. It also includes a smart resizing option that you can use to resize your images for Instagram covers without cropping important details.

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1. Is there any free Instagram Reel cover downloader?

Yes, there are a few free tools online that let you download Instagram Reel covers, but most come with low resolution, missing crop options, or watermark issues. Also, downloading a cover doesn't always guarantee it's the right size or format for your profile grid, which can affect how your content appears overall. If you're planning to design from scratch or want something that fits your content better, Pippit gives you a more practical option. It includes Instagram Reel cover templates that are already sized for the Reels layout. Each one is organized by theme and style, fully customizable, and cleared for commercial use, so you can edit, export, and post right away.

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1. What should I include in my Instagram Reel cover photo?

Your Instagram Reel cover photo should quickly show what your video is about. This means using a clear subject and placing it near the center, so nothing important gets cropped. You can add a short headline for context and use strong contrast between text and background so the message stands out even in preview mode. To design covers with more control, Pippit gives you an editor that's built for custom layouts. You can upload your product image, add a headline using the Text tab, and layer design elements using Shapes, Stickers, and Frames. The Design section includes preset palettes and a From Photo option that syncs the color scheme to your image.