Fresh examples of 3 Pinterest graphic design tips that actually work

If you’ve ever stared at your Pinterest analytics wondering why your gorgeous pins are flopping, you’re not alone. The good news: there are very real, very fixable design mistakes behind most underperforming pins. In this guide, I’ll walk you through examples of 3 examples of Pinterest graphic design tips that are working right now, based on current trends and real creator behavior. Instead of vague advice like “make it eye-catching,” you’ll see concrete examples of layout tweaks, color choices, typography moves, and branding decisions that turn quiet pins into saves and clicks. We’ll talk about vertical layouts that actually stop the scroll, text overlays people can read on a phone at 7 a.m., and branding that feels consistent without screaming “I’m selling you something.” Think of this as your Pinterest design lab: you’ll get best examples, real examples, and plenty of “ohhh, that’s why mine aren’t working” moments you can fix today.
Written by
Morgan
Published
Updated

Examples of 3 examples of Pinterest graphic design tips you can steal today

Let’s skip theory and go straight into real-world behavior. When people open Pinterest, they’re usually:

  • Half-distracted (hello, couch scrolling)
  • On their phone (tiny screen, big thumbs)
  • Looking for quick inspiration or a solution

So the best examples of Pinterest graphic design tips are the ones that respect that reality. Here are three core areas — layout, text, and branding — with real examples of how creators are using them in 2024–2025.


Example of Tip #1: Vertical layouts that are built for the Pinterest feed

Pinterest has been screaming this quietly for years: vertical pins win. Their own business help center recommends a 2:3 aspect ratio, and if you scroll your feed for 10 seconds you’ll see why — tall pins simply take up more visual real estate.

Instead of a dry rule, let’s talk examples of 3 examples of Pinterest graphic design tips just for layout:

First layout example: The tall recipe pin that behaves like a mini poster
Picture a 1000 x 1500 px pin for “One-Pan Lemon Chicken.” The top third is a tight crop of the finished dish, the middle third is a bold headline, and the bottom third is a quick benefit line like “Ready in 25 minutes.” No cramped collage, no tiny text. Just three clear zones.

Why it works:

  • The top image hooks the foodies.
  • The middle text tells you what you’re getting.
  • The bottom benefit line sells the time-saving angle.

Second layout example: The “step-by-step” DIY pin that doesn’t look chaotic
Instead of cramming eight micro-photos into one pin, smart creators are using three large, clean panels stacked vertically. For a DIY “No-paint kitchen cabinet glow-up,” you might see:

  • Top: Before shot with a translucent label “Before”
  • Middle: In-progress shot with “Step-by-step inside”
  • Bottom: After shot with the main title “No-Paint Kitchen Cabinet Makeover”

This is one of the best examples of Pinterest graphic design tips in action: it hints at a transformation without turning the pin into a microscopic photo grid where nothing is legible on mobile.

Third layout example: The “blog teaser” pin with a single hero image
Bloggers in 2024–2025 are leaning into single, strong photos with big, clear headlines, especially in crowded niches like travel and wellness. A travel blogger pin for “3-Day Seattle Itinerary” might use:

  • One striking city photo
  • A soft color overlay at the bottom
  • A bold text block: “3-Day Seattle Itinerary: Coffee, Views & Hidden Spots”

This layout respects Pinterest’s 2:3 ratio, keeps the focus on one compelling image, and makes the text impossible to miss.

Fourth layout example: The carousel-style story pin look — but static
Even in static pins, designers are mimicking the feel of stories or carousels. For example, a personal finance creator might design a tall pin that looks like three stacked “cards,” each with a tiny heading:

  • “Step 1: Track It”
  • “Step 2: Cut It”
  • “Step 3: Automate It”

This gives the sense of motion and progression in a single image. These real examples show how layout alone can make someone stop scrolling because it feels like they’re getting a mini guide, not just a pretty picture.


Examples include Tip #2: Text overlays people can actually read on a phone

You know those pins where the background photo is gorgeous but the headline is hiding in the shadows? That’s a fast way to get scrolled past.

Pinterest users are often scanning quickly, which lines up with broader research from places like the National Library of Medicine showing that digital readers skim more than they deep-read. So text needs to be readable in half a second.

Here are examples of 3 examples of Pinterest graphic design tips around text overlays:

Fifth example: The solid color block over a busy photo
Let’s say you’ve got a moody, detailed photo of a bookshelf for a pin titled “10 Books That Will Change How You Manage Money.” If you drop white text straight onto that photo, it disappears into the chaos.

A better move: add a semi-transparent navy rectangle at the bottom third of the photo, then place your headline in a clean white sans-serif font. Suddenly, the text pops, the photo still shows through, and the pin looks intentional instead of accidental.

Sixth example: Big headline + tiny subtitle hierarchy
Instead of making every word the same size, creators are building a clear visual hierarchy. For a fitness pin:

  • Big text: “10-Minute Morning Stretch”
  • Smaller text: “For stiff hips, back & neck”

On mobile, the big phrase is readable even from the home feed. The smaller line is a bonus for people who tap in or pause a little longer. This is one of the best examples of Pinterest graphic design tips for text: decide what must be read at a glance, and what can be discovered second.

Seventh example: Limiting word count for faster reading
Pins that read like mini blog posts on the image itself tend to underperform. In 2024–2025, successful creators are keeping headlines in the 3–7 word range when possible.

Compare these two pins for the same idea:

  • Pin A: “How I Paid Off $50,000 in Student Loans in 2 Years While Working Full-Time”
  • Pin B: “Paid Off $50K Student Loans in 2 Years”

Pin B is faster to process, still specific, and doesn’t feel like homework. The description field and the blog post can carry the longer story.

Eighth example: Strategic font pairing instead of font chaos
Rather than using five fonts because they’re “fun,” strong pins usually stick to:

  • One clean sans-serif for body-style text
  • One accent script or bold serif for emphasis

For a wedding planning pin:

  • Script: “Romantic”
  • Sans-serif: “Spring Wedding Color Palette”

The script adds personality to a single keyword, and the sans-serif keeps the rest clean. This is a real example of how small design discipline makes your pins look professionally branded, not like a font buffet.

Ninth example: Accessibility-minded contrast and clarity
Good contrast isn’t just pretty; it’s about making your content usable for more people. While Pinterest doesn’t publish accessibility rules the way a government site might, general accessibility guidance from places like the U.S. Access Board and W3C supports using strong contrast and avoiding tiny, decorative text for main content.

So creators are:

  • Avoiding pale text on pale backgrounds
  • Skipping super-thin fonts for main headlines
  • Using high-contrast color combos like dark navy on light beige

These real examples of text decisions don’t just help people with visual challenges; they help everyone who’s squinting at their phone in bad lighting.


Best examples of branding tips for Pinterest graphics

Branding on Pinterest isn’t about slapping your logo in the corner and calling it a day. The best examples of Pinterest graphic design tips for branding focus on consistency, not loudness.

Here are examples of how creators are branding gracefully:

Tenth example: Color systems instead of random palettes
Instead of picking a new color palette for every pin, creators are building a small system: 2–3 brand colors plus 1–2 neutrals. This mirrors how many design and marketing programs teach visual identity, including courses at places like MIT OpenCourseWare and other design-focused programs.

For instance, a home decor blogger might use:

  • Deep forest green
  • Warm beige
  • Soft white
  • Charcoal for text

Every pin uses some combination of these, so even when the photos change, the overall vibe feels familiar.

Eleventh example: Subtle logo or URL placement
Instead of a giant watermark screaming, “THIS IS MINE,” a lot of high-performing pins now tuck a small URL or logo in the bottom corner.

For a sustainable fashion blogger:

  • Bottom right: “greenthreads.com” in small, legible text
  • Same placement, same size, every time

It’s there if someone shares or screenshots the image, but it doesn’t fight with the headline.

Twelfth example: Reusable templates that speed up creation
Creators who post consistently often have 3–5 go-to templates they reuse:

  • One for “how-to” content
  • One for “list” posts
  • One for “before/after” transformations

For example, a mental health educator who posts tips inspired by research from places like Harvard Health Publishing might use a consistent layout:

  • Top: calm photo (nature, soft textures)
  • Middle: big headline like “5 Ways to Calm Anxiety Fast”
  • Bottom: brand name and URL

Only the text and photo change, so the overall look stays familiar. These are some of the best examples of Pinterest graphic design tips that save time while building brand recognition.

Thirteenth example: Series-based design for bingeable pins
In 2024–2025, creators are leaning hard into series content: “Part 1,” “Part 2,” etc. The design stays consistent, and only the number and subtitle change.

For a small business coach:

  • Pin 1: “Email Marketing Basics – Part 1: Build Your List”
  • Pin 2: “Email Marketing Basics – Part 2: Write Subject Lines That Get Opens”

Same background style, same fonts, same colors. These real examples of series design encourage people to click through multiple pins from the same creator.


More real examples of 3 examples of Pinterest graphic design tips in action

To pull this together, let’s walk through three quick “before/after” scenarios that show examples of 3 examples of Pinterest graphic design tips working together: layout, text, and branding.

Scenario 1: The messy collage vs. the focused how-to pin
Before: A crafting blogger uses a pin with six tiny process photos, all different colors, plus a long headline in a curly script font. On mobile, it looks like noise.

After: They redesign the pin with:

  • A single hero photo of the finished craft
  • A tall 2:3 layout
  • A short headline: “DIY Macrame Plant Hanger (Beginner-Friendly)”
  • A soft beige overlay behind the text
  • Brand URL in the corner

This one change uses multiple best examples of Pinterest graphic design tips at once: vertical layout, readable text, and consistent branding.

Scenario 2: The pretty but unreadable aesthetic pin
Before: A wellness coach uses a gorgeous, light beige photo with pale gold text that looks dreamy on a laptop but vanishes on a phone.

After: They adjust to:

  • Dark charcoal text
  • Slightly darker overlay behind the headline
  • Fewer words in the title

The pin now aligns with accessibility-minded contrast and mobile readability, both real examples of what’s working on Pinterest.

Scenario 3: The off-brand rainbow vs. the calm color system
Before: Every pin uses a different color palette to “stand out.” The result: the feed looks like a random patchwork.

After: The creator picks a limited palette and builds all templates around it. Over time, users start recognizing their pins without even seeing the username — which is exactly what long-term branding aims for.

These scenarios aren’t hypothetical fluff; they’re the kind of quiet design shifts you’ll see if you compare older pins from successful creators to what they’re posting now.


FAQ: short answers with real examples

Q: What are some examples of Pinterest graphic design tips I can implement today?
A: Start with three: use a vertical 2:3 layout, add a solid or semi-transparent color block behind your headline, and limit your main text to a short, bold phrase plus a smaller subtitle. These examples of layout and text changes alone can make a visible difference in saves and clicks.

Q: Can you give an example of a good Pinterest pin for bloggers?
A: For a blog post about “Meal Prep for Busy Weeks,” try a tall pin with one clean meal-prep photo, a bold headline like “Meal Prep for Busy Weeks,” a smaller line reading “3 Simple Mix-and-Match Plans,” and your blog URL in the bottom corner. This is a clear example of layout, text hierarchy, and branding working together.

Q: Do I need fancy fonts to make my pins stand out?
A: Not at all. Many of the best examples of Pinterest graphic design tips rely on simple, free fonts used consistently. One clean sans-serif for most text plus one accent font is usually more effective than a dozen decorative options.

Q: How often should I change my Pinterest design style?
A: You can evolve it, but don’t reinvent it every week. The strongest brands on Pinterest keep their layouts, colors, and typography recognizable while tweaking details based on performance.

Q: Where can I learn more about good visual design principles?
A: While Pinterest-focused resources are helpful, general design and readability research can also help. For example, accessibility and readability guidelines from organizations like the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative, the U.S. Access Board, and university design programs (such as MIT OpenCourseWare) can inform your choices around contrast, hierarchy, and typography.


If you treat this article as your personal swipe file of examples of 3 examples of Pinterest graphic design tips — layout, text, and branding — you’ll have more than theory. You’ll have a checklist you can literally apply to your next pin: Is it vertical? Is the text readable on a phone? Does it look like it belongs to a consistent brand? Answer yes to those, and you’re already ahead of most of the feed.

Explore More Social Media Graphics

Discover more examples and insights in this category.

View All Social Media Graphics