Designing Pins
Stop the scroll. Communicate value. Get the click.
Your pins are your billboards on Pinterest. They need to stop the scroll, communicate value instantly, and make people want to click. Let's break down what makes a high performing pin. The Anatomy of a High Performing Pin High Quality Images Blurry or pixelated images kill credibility. Use high resolution images that are clear, well lit, and relevant to your content. If you're promoting a product, show it in context. If you're sharing a guide or tutorial, use eye catching graphics that communicate the value immediately. Text Overlay Your text overlay should be large enough to read easily on both desktop and mobile. Use contrasting colors so the text pops against the background. Keep it short and specific. Think headlines, not paragraphs. Examples: 10 Best Skincare Products for Dry Skin How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in 5 Steps Affordable Home Decor Finds Under $50
LESSON 02 Clear Call to Action (CTA)
Tell people what to do next. Your CTA should be visible but not overpowering. Examples: Click to shop Save for later Get the guide Learn more Place your CTA at the bottom of the pin or integrate it naturally into your text overlay. Pin Dimensions Pinterest recommends a 2:3 aspect ratio (1000 x 1500 pixels is ideal). Vertical pins perform best because they take up more space in the feed.
LESSON 03 How to Create Pins with Canva
Canva is the easiest tool for creating professional looking pins, even if you have zero design experience. It's free to use (with paid upgrades available) and comes with Pinterest specific templates.
01 Open Canva and Select Pinterest Pin Search for "Pinterest Pin" in the design type options. Canva will automatically set your canvas to the ideal 2:3 dimensions. 02 Choose a Template or Start from Scratch Canva has thousands of ready made Pinterest templates. Customize colors, fonts, images, and text to match your brand, or start with a blank canvas. 03 Add Your Image and Text Upload your own images or use Canva's stock photo library. Add text overlays using clean, readable fonts. Stick to 2 to 3 fonts max to keep it professional. 04 Save and Download Download as PNG or JPG. PNG is better for graphics with text overlays. JPG works fine for photo heavy pins.
LESSON 04 Design Tips for Better Pins
Use brand colors consistently so your pins are instantly recognizable Test different layouts to see what gets the most saves and clicks Keep designs clean and simple. Clutter loses clicks Include your logo or watermark (small and subtle) to build brand awareness Create multiple pin designs for the same content and test what performs best
You don't need to design a new pin for every single piece of content. Create 3 to 5 pin templates in Canva that match your brand, then swap out the images and text for each new post or product. Consistency builds recognition faster than variety.
Great pin design isn't about being a graphic designer. It's about clarity, consistency, and making it easy for people to understand what you're offering in 2 seconds or less.
Action Steps
Check these off as you complete them.