Tutorial: Create a Social Media Post

3 min read

Learn to create an eye-catching animated post for Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

Time: 5 minutes Difficulty: Beginner

What You’ll Create

An animated motivational quote post with a dynamic background.

Finished social post
The finished animated post

Step 1: Set Up Canvas

  1. Open PinePaper Editor
  2. Click the canvas size dropdown in the footer
  3. Select Instagram Post (1080×1080)
Canvas size selection
Select Instagram Post size

Step 2: Add Background

  1. Click the Scene tab in the right panel
  2. Set Background Mode to Generator
  3. Select Sunburst
  4. Set colors:
    • Color 1: #4f46e5 (indigo)
    • Color 2: #7c3aed (violet)
    • Color 3: #a855f7 (purple)
  5. Set Background: #0f172a (dark blue)
  6. Click Generate
Sunburst background
Sunburst background generated

Step 3: Add Main Text

  1. Press T for the Text Tool
  2. Click in the center of the canvas
  3. Type: DREAM BIG
  4. In Properties Panel:
    • Font Size: 72
    • Font Color: #FFFFFF (white)
  5. Center the text on canvas

Step 4: Add Subtitle

  1. Press T again
  2. Click below the main text
  3. Type: Start today, not tomorrow
  4. In Properties Panel:
    • Font Size: 24
    • Font Color: #94a3b8 (gray)

Step 5: Animate the Text

Main Text Animation

  1. Select the main text (“DREAM BIG”)
  2. In Properties Panel, set:
    • Animation: Pulse
    • Speed: 1.5

Subtitle Animation

  1. Select the subtitle
  2. Set Animation: Fade
  3. Set Speed: 1.0

Step 6: Preview

Press Space to play your animation. Adjust timing if needed.

Step 7: Export

  1. Click Export
  2. Select MP4 Video
  3. Set Duration: 5 seconds
  4. Set Frame Rate: 30 fps
  5. Click Export
  6. Wait for download

Customization Ideas

  • Different colors: Try warm colors (orange, red) for energy
  • Different animation: Use Bounce for playful content
  • Add effects: Apply Sparkle to the main text
  • Change background: Try Waves for a calmer feel

Platform Variations

Twitter/X Version

  1. Change canvas size to Twitter Post (1200×675)
  2. Reduce font sizes slightly
  3. Export as GIF for auto-play

Instagram Story

  1. Change canvas size to Instagram Story (1080×1920)
  2. Position text in the center third
  3. Export as MP4

Next Steps