How to Make a Seamless Scrapbook-Style Instagram Carousel in Canva

Looking to create that layered, handmade scrapbook aesthetic on Instagram? In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through exactly how to do it.

Let’s get into it.

Want to skip the read and watch a video tutorial? Click here for the video.

What You’ll Need

For this tutorial, all you need is a free Canva account. Other than that, if you want to skip making it yourself….

 Grab this free Canva carousel template I made for you!

Optional: grab my full bundle with 54 carousel templates, 150 cutout PNGs + caption templates

Step 1: Start with the Right Canvas Size

Open Canva > Click Create a Design > Choose Custom Size > enter 1080 x 3500 px. This gives you a vertical carousel layout made for Instagram.

Once your blank canvas opens, set a background color that will stay consistent across all slides. This helps keep that seamless look. I went with a soft green, but pick what fits your brand.

Step 2: Add Your Slides + Background

Click “Add Page” in Canva to create your 5 slides (or however many you need). Once your background color is set on one, you can click “Change All” to apply it to all pages.

Step 3: Search + Add Cutout Images

Go to Elements > and type “cutout” in the search bar. Then click Filters > Cutouts Only.

Pick photos and cutout graphics that match your topic or vibe. Layer them onto your slides and let them cross the edges of each page — that’s what creates that scrapbook collage look.

Step 4: Make It Seamless

To line things up across slides:

• Turn on Rulers and Guides under File > Settings
• Add alignment guides (purple lines) to anchor and line up where a cutout starts or ends

• Match placement from one slide to the next using those guides — so, for example, a strawberry or sticker crosses cleanly between Slide 1 and 2

Step 5: Add White Outlines (Sticker Style)

To give elements that “hand-cut sticker” look:

• Click on an image > Edit > Effects > choose Outline
• Set the thickness, color (white), and softness
• Use Copy Style and Paste Style to apply it quickly to other elements

Step 6: Add Frames, Doodles + Fonts

Add Polaroid-style frames and drop your own photos inside. Layer doodles, arrows, and marker-style ovals using Elements > Graphics. Search terms like:

• “hand drawn arrow”
• “oval marker”
• “scrapbook paper” or “ripped paper”

To stay on brand but still feel handmade, I used a handwritten font called Dreaming Out Loud. You can also search “handwriting” in Canva fonts and try what feels right for you.

You can even curve some text for a more dynamic, imperfect vibe. Just select your text, go to Effects > Curve, and drag the slider.

Step 7: Keep It On-Brand

You can go full-on scrapbook chaos or keep it clean. I stayed within my brand colors and fonts to keep it polished, but layered in just enough paper textures and stickers to give it that crafty look.

Step 8: Download + Post

Click Share > Download and save your design as PNG files. Canva will export each slide separately. When posting to Instagram, upload all slides in the correct order to preserve the seamless scroll.

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A post shared by Kayla Butler • Ivory Mix • Business Content Ideas (@the_ivorymix)

 Grab this free Canva carousel template I made for you!

Ready to post consistently and have amazing looking content at the same time? Get the bundle of 54 Carousel Templates + Cutouts and Captions here.

This plug-and-play kit gives you :

• 54 Editable Canva Carousel Templates
• 54 Matching Caption Templates for Each Carousel
• 150+ Scrapbook-Style Cuout PNGs (tape, paper, cut-outs)
• Instant Access via PDF Containing Captions, Canva Links and Link to File of Cutout PNGs
• Get the full Bundle here