Pinterest marketing strategy banner by PixelBoostIt showing visual growth and brand success.

How to Design Click-Worthy Pinterest Graphics (Even Without Canva Pro)

Pinterest is a visual search engine meaning your image is the very first impression. A beautifully designed pin can increase your click through rate by over 40%. But you don’t need expensive software or premium subscriptions to create them.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide for creating Pinterest graphics that attract clicks and conversions 👇


Step 1: Choose the Right Dimensions & Layout

Pinterest favors vertical images (2:3 aspect ratio).
Use sizes like 1000 × 1500 pixels to ensure your pin displays perfectly across devices.
Avoid square or horizontal layouts they tend to get less visibility.


Step 2: Use Bright, On-Brand Colors

Color psychology plays a huge role in pin performance.

  • Use warm, energetic tones like coral, red, and peach for lifestyle or food niches.
  • Use calm, cool tones like teal, lavender, or beige for minimal or wellness brands.
  • Always keep your brand palette consistent it builds trust.

🎯 Pro Tip: Create a mini brand kit inside Canva (even free) to reuse your colors and fonts easily.


Step 3: Choose Readable Fonts (No Tiny Text!)

Your pin is meant to stop the scroll. That means your text must be easy to read even on mobile.

  • Stick to 1–2 fonts max.
  • Use bold headers for your main title.
  • Maintain enough contrast between background and text.

Example:
Instead of “10 ways to grow your Pinterest” in cursive font, use “10 Ways to Grow on Pinterest Fast” in a clean, bold sans-serif.


Step 4: Add a Clear Text Overlay

Every great pin has a small story in the text overlay.
It tells users why they should click what’s in it for them.
Examples:

  • “Free Template Inside”
  • “Step-by-Step Tutorial”
  • “Proven Pinterest Hacks”

Keep it short (4–7 words) and value-driven.


Step 5: Use Free Design Tools

You don’t need Canva Pro to design amazing pins.
Try:

  • Canva Free – still gives access to thousands of templates.
  • Fotor – quick online photo editing.
  • Pixlr – background remover & effects.
  • Crello (now VistaCreate) – animated pin templates.

💡 Bonus Tip: Use your own product or brand photos whenever possible authenticity beats stock images every time.

➡️ See how we design branded Pinterest Pin for clients


Step 6: A/B Test & Track Results

Design 2–3 versions of the same pin and monitor which one performs best.
Experiment with:

  • Different color schemes.
  • Alternative headlines.
  • Slight text placement changes.

Pinterest’s algorithm loves fresh pins, so small design changes keep your content relevant.

➡️ Explore our Pins to see high-performing pin examples


Conclusion

Designing Pinterest graphics that convert isn’t about expensive tools it’s about strategy, clarity, and consistency.
Focus on delivering value visually and telling a mini story with each pin.

Want professional quality designs that reflect your brand and boost traffic?
➡️ View our Pinterest design portfolio here

Pinterest keyword research guide for SEO, showing long-tail keyword in search bar

Mastering Pinterest SEO: The Art of Keyword Research

Just like Google, Pinterest is a visual search engine. This means that for your pins to be discovered by your target audience, they need to be optimized with the right keywords. Ignoring keyword research on Pinterest is like writing a fantastic blog post but never promoting it – nobody will find it!

Why is Pinterest Keyword Research So Important?

  1. Increased Visibility: Proper keywords ensure your pins appear in relevant search results and suggested feeds, leading to more impressions.
  2. Targeted Traffic: By using keywords your ideal audience is searching for, you attract users who are genuinely interested in your content, products, or services, resulting in higher quality traffic to your website.
  3. Higher Engagement: When pins are found by the right people, they’re more likely to save, click, and interact with your content.

Practical Ways to Find High-Impact Pinterest Keywords:

  • The Pinterest Search Bar: Start typing a broad topic related to your niche into the Pinterest search bar. Watch as auto-suggestions pop up. These are often popular long-tail keywords that users are actively searching for. For example, if you type “vegan meal prep,” you might see suggestions like “vegan meal prep ideas for weight loss” or “vegan meal prep recipes on a budget.” These are gold!
  • Pinterest’s “Trending” Tab: Located within Pinterest Analytics (for Business accounts) or simply by exploring the platform, the “Trending” tab shows what topics and keywords are currently gaining traction. Leveraging these trends can give your content a timely boost.
  • Analyze Popular Pins in Your Niche: Search for your main keywords and observe what words are used in the titles and descriptions of the top-performing pins. Look at the board names and descriptions of successful accounts in your industry. This competitive analysis can reveal valuable keyword opportunities.
  • Related Searches: After performing a search, scroll down on the results page. Pinterest often shows “Related searches” or “More ideas to explore,” which are excellent sources for expanding your keyword list.

Where to Use Your Keywords: Once you have your list of keywords, strategically place them in:

  • Your Pinterest profile name and bio.
  • Your board titles and descriptions.
  • Your pin titles and descriptions.
  • Text overlays on your pins.

By diligently applying keyword research, you’ll transform your Pinterest strategy from simply pinning to strategically attracting your perfect audience.

High-quality Pinterest pins creation guide for better clicks and engagement

How to Create High-Quality Pins that Get Clicks

1. Go Vertical: Pinterest is a vertical platform, so your pins should be too. The ideal aspect ratio is 2:3 (e.g., 1000 x 1500 pixels). This ensures your pin stands out in the feed and gets more real estate on the screen.

2. Embrace Light and Clarity: Use well-lit, sharp images. Natural light works best for lifestyle shots, but a well-lit studio setup can work wonders for product photography.

3. Use Text Overlays: Add a clear, easy-to-read text overlay that explains what the pin is about. This helps users quickly decide if your content is relevant to them and encourages a click. A strong headline can significantly boost your engagement.