Overlapping carousel workflow
How to make an overlapping Instagram carousel
We turned six photos into three connected 1080×1350 Instagram posts. The images cross panel boundaries to create one continuous composition while every post still works on its own.
The source set
Choose images with different jobs.
This travel example mixes wide scenes, vertical landmarks, detail, and people. It is an illustrative composition using licensed stock photos, not a customer testimonial. That variety gives the layout enough visual material to create scale changes and meaningful overlap.
Example photos by Michael Discenza, Kimson Doan, Jordan Steranka, Jack Ward, Cristina Gottardi, and Sofia Alberti via Unsplash.
Free, no signup. Use one to six photos; export three 1080×1350 JPEGs. Core editing runs in your browser.
For a different brief, see the product-photo carousel example or restaurant post example.
Overlap decisions
Connect the swipe without hiding the subject.
Start with a strong hero
A large vertical image owns the first panel. A smaller supporting frame crosses the first seam and gives the viewer a reason to swipe.
Use the middle as a bridge
Panel two carries images across both boundaries. Varied frame sizes keep the overlap deliberate instead of turning into a uniform grid.
Finish with a new focal point
The final panel inherits an image from the middle, then resolves on a large closing photograph. Each panel feels distinct within one continuous canvas.
Repeatable workflow
Six photos. One carousel.
- Choose Carousel.Choose photos on the homepage or use Make an overlapping carousel above. The carousel format is already selected.
- Add up to six photos.Mix wide, vertical, detail, and people images to create visual range.
- Generate the composition.The beauty engine chooses hierarchy, crops, and overlaps across the panel guides.
- Check every seam.Use the solid guides to keep faces and key details away from awkward cuts.
- Download the carousel.On desktop, download the ZIP and extract its three numbered JPEGs. On mobile, share the prepared photos through the native share sheet when supported, or save each photo individually. Add panels one through three to the same Instagram post.
Make an overlapping carousel.
Choose your photos. Pasteup turns them into a connected three-post composition that remains fully editable.