How to Make Your Own Instagram Filters + 25 Examples to Follow

Andrea Hattox is a Texas-based writer, graphic designer, and lifelong traveler. When she’s not writing, she’s probably doing hand embroidery or creative work for Pixel Lighthouse , the nonprofit branding agency she runs with her husband. Her favorite spot in the world is at her grandmother’s table in Tokyo.

Great news: Video filters are now available to anyone on Instagram! Learn how to make your own.

For years, Instagram’s filters were only open to approved beta users. And before that, all the best video effects were on a different platform altogether (a.k.a. Snapchat, the OG of hilarious face distortions).

Whether you’re a major brand wanting a more immersive social presence or an everyday creator who loves experimenting, Instagram filters are where it’s at.

Read on to learn how to make Instagram filters and get twenty-five examples of delightfully dynamic effects you’ll want to try for yourself.

How to Make an Instagram Filter

Template of Instagram filters by Spark AR StudioThe easiest way to create Instagram filters is to start with a template. Image by Spark AR Studio.

Instagram filters, technically known as effects, can only be created in Spark AR Studio—the AR standing for, of course, “augmented reality.” (Would any futurist have imagined our augmented reality to be one so full of puppy ear filters?) 

Here are the basics of how to create Instagram filters in Spark AR:

  1. Start by choosing a sample project as a template or by opening a brand-new project.
  2. Use the 3D modeling platform to create and customize your filter, defining how it interacts with real-world objects.
  3. Export your new Instagram filter and then go to Spark AR Hub to publish it.
  4. Wait up to five days for your filter to be approved.
  5. Once approved, it’s time to promote, promote, promote!

Although the steps themselves are fairly straightforward, the Spark AR editor does have a learning curve if you’re new to concepts like tracking, planes, materials, and textures.

The best way to get your feet wet is to check out some official Spark AR tutorials and then browse what other successful AR creators are doing.

Instagram AR filters aren’t just a fun way to try out some snazzy new design tech. Other users can find your filters and share them on their own stories, too—helping brands, creatives, and individuals alike expand their social media reach.

To make sure your content gets found and shared, create Instagram filters that fit the top trending categories:

  1. Face filters: From pretty to strange to anthropomorphic, face filters are by far the top performers.
  2. Quiz filters: Train the camera on your face and find out something surprising about yourself.
  3. Try-on filters: Ideal for brands that sell apparel, eyeglasses, or makeup!
  4. Color filters: These filters are relatively simple to make, yet make a big impression.
  5. Artsy filters: Avant garde, classic, surrealist, Gen Z meme-ish . . . anything goes with AR art.

Below, we’re sharing examples in these top five categories and many, many more.

25 of the Best Instagram Filters to Inspire Any Creator

1. Heart Face

An understated heart and a light lip coloring make this filter look realistically cute.

Instagram AR filter with a heart on a man's cheekHeart face filter by Quang Anh Nguyễn.
Charming little fish swim around a face with stylized eye makeupKoi fish AR filter by Gozcu Tuana.

2. Pretty Fish

Charming little fish swim around a face with stylized eye makeup.

3. Glam Diamonds

Diamonds are forever, right? Or at least as long as you’ve got that Instagram camera trained on your face.

Face filter with diamonds on eyes and foreheadDiamond Instagram filter by Kirill Mintsev.
Eye filter with multiple eyes up and down woman's faceEye filter for Instagram by Viv Galinari.

4. So Many Eyes

If “beautifying” face filters are the most popular category, then strange face filters are a close second. Here’s a version of you—only much, much creepier.

5. Legend of the Sea

Aye, how about turning yourself into the ole Davy Jones? (*Insert terrible pirate accent here.*)

Davy Jones AR filter Designed by genkistudiomx.
Mask AR filter on teal backgroundDesigned by Camila Rodriguez.

6. Blank Mask

This one’s somewhere between avant garde and Squid Game.

7. Fifth-Grade Quiz

This quiz filter questions whether you’re smarter than a fifth grader, daring you to (hopefully) prove them wrong.

Smarter than a fifth grader quiz filter Designed by Sam.
RuPaul's drag race quiz filter Designed by Andy Ch Muñoz.

8. Pop Icon Queens

Who could resist being matched to some of the most iconic queens of the modern age?

9. Gelato Picker

This filter is a smart move for a gelato brand, helping indecisive customers choose their next flavor to eat. (When it comes to gelato, there’s really no wrong answer anyway!)

AR gelato flavor quiz filter Designed by gelaterigandini.
Warm summer glow filter Designed by Kevony Martins.

10. Vibrant Orange

Get that fiery glow with this warm orange filter effect.

11. Colors of the Flag

With a simple overlay of blue and yellow, this AR filter shows support for Ukraine.

Ukraine selfie color filter with blue and yellow overlaysDesigned by Susidko.
Color and line AR filter with a person dancingDesigned by 93 Studio.

12. Dance Dance

This dynamic filter adds color to the background, along with radiating lines of energetic motion.

13. Classic Shades

Unsurprisingly, the definition of American cool, RayBan, is a natural fit for a try-on filter on Instagram.

Instagram AR filter with a man wearing RayBan sunglassesAR filter by RayBan.
Instagram AR filter featuring woman with false eyelashesInstagram filter by maccosmetics.

14. Falsie Filter

The global cosmetics brand Mac has also made headway with creative filters, like this one that lets you control the glam of their false eyelashes.

15. Gamer Helmet

Of course, you don’t have to be selling or buying clothes to love a good try-on filter. Why not try on a Halo helmet for size?

Man wearing a HaloMK7 helmetDesigned by Arjun Gupta.
Interactive game filter with man's head part of the gameDesigned by Constantine Eremeev.

16. Gamifying You

Speaking of video games: Here’s a filter where you become the game. Move your head to stop the little monsters before they reach your tower.

17. Non-Face Filters

Faces are the most popular body part to feature, but there are tons of interesting effects to be had through body language and gestures, too.

Trippy hand filter with green paint on man's handDesigned by Tomás Pietravallo.
Neon light sketch filter with hand-drawn figuresDesigned by 93 Studio.

18. Sketchy Art

Become a work of art (or a backdrop for an EDM club) with a cool effect like this one. It uses sketched strokes and rainbow colors for a super dynamic feel.

19. Surrealist Vibes

One step more surreal than that bumpin’ beat filter just above is this amorphous floating blob. Is it friend, foe, or portal to another universe?

Surrealist blob filter on street crosswalkDesigned by nazmeeva.
Instagram AR filter with lots of yes-es around woman's faceDesigned by Atmosphere Page.

20. Dynamic Text

With so many yes-es, who could say no? The text tracks facial movements to create an interesting word effect.

21. Holidays

No matter which holidays you celebrate, you’ll make them much more shareable when you know how to create Instagram filters!

Diwali Fireworks filter with fireworks exploding over young woman's headDesigned by AliveNow.
Magical spiral filter with a woman dancing surrounded by sparklesDesigned by Manuel Borrero Rios.

22. A Magical Touch

This sparkly effect would be perfect for brands with in-store dressing rooms. Or perhaps a perfectly shareable effect when a bride-to-be says yes to the dress?

23. Brands & Products

This brand filter celebrates Valentine’s Day with product placement that still feels fun.

NIVEA brand filter with product twirling in front of young woman's faceDesigned by Keen Collective.
Instagram wedding filter featuring bride and groomDesigned by Evento Filtros.

24. Weddings

Move over, hashtags! AR filters are the new must-have for social media weddings. Guests can feature custom filters on their own stories, helping to spread the wedding joy even further.

25. Birthdays

Especially for creators who want to get found, birthday filters are another cool design to try. Why? Because everyone has birthdays. And everyone loves celebrating on social media.

Birthday cake Instagram filter with birthday cake on man's headDesigned by Neeha Randomness.

Need Assets to Create Your Instagram Filter?

If you need some 2D assets to import into Spark AR as you create Instagram filters—such as textures, illustrations, images, or text—make it easier by starting in Create.

Create gives you access to millions of stock assets and tons of creative customization options. Start with any template (or a blank canvas), customize your asset, and then export it as a PNG, JPEG, or PDF to upload to your Spark AR project.

Create’s effects, textures, filters, and edits to make sure your creation’s looking pristine before uploading to Instagram. Using them first ensures your added Instagram features can look twice as good when you’re ready to post.

If you’re starting with a template, simply click File > Create new > Template. Type “Instagram Story” or scroll to find the Instagram category. Select your favorite layout and start swapping images, graphics, and text.

Create's blank canvas options with Instagram Story highlighted in red and red arrow pointing to Create custom toolbar

If you’re starting from scratch, simply click File > Create new > Blank Canvas and scroll to find your preferred Instagram layout. Click Make it! and add all the assets your desire. And know that your creations are always auto-saved in our cloud storage for you to return to anytime you want.

For even more Instagram filter ideas—if it’s possible—make an account on Spark AR and go to the Creator Hub. There are thousands of effects to inspire your own dazzling creation.

Have fun!

Get more out of Instagram with these tips and insights:

License this cover image via Bibadash x2.

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