How to Create Instagram DM Mockups for Pitches and Content

Instagram DMs are where creator deals start and where a lot of everyday social life happens, so a DM mockup is useful in both pitch decks and content. The Instagram DM generator handles the layout; this guide covers the details that make it read as Instagram and how to use DM mockups well.

What makes an Instagram-style DM recognisable

• Gradient outgoing bubbles that shift from purple to blue, with white text. Incoming bubbles are light grey (dark grey in dark mode).
• Round, pill-shaped bubbles with no tail. Consecutive messages have tighter corners where they join.
• A small avatar beside the other person’s last message in each run.
• No timestamps on bubbles. Times appear as centred separators when there’s a gap.
• The message bar with a blue camera button on the left and mic, gallery and sticker icons on the right.

“Seen”, verified badges and “Active now”

Set your newest message’s receipt to Read and “Seen” appears under it. Only the newest message shows it. Turn on the verified badge for brand or public-figure accounts — but only for fictional accounts or ones you represent. The status line under the name is free text: “Active now”, “Active 3h ago”, or the account’s @username.

Using DM mockups in brand pitches

When you pitch a brand, showing the conversation you want to have is surprisingly persuasive: an example outreach message, the kind of audience questions you get, or how you’d handle customer DMs during a campaign. Keep it clearly labelled as an example in the deck, use the brand’s real name only if you’re pitching them directly, and never fake an endorsement or a conversation that didn’t happen.

Pair it with an Instagram post mockup and a story mockup to show the full campaign.

DMs in creator content

• Storytime hooks: open with a DM that sets up the story, then cut to camera.
• Advice videos: show a fictional follower question and answer it.
• Satire: the “collab” offer that wants free work for exposure is a genre of its own.

Make one in two minutes

1. Open the Instagram DM generator.
2. Set the account name, photo, verified badge and status line.
3. Write or paste the conversation.
4. Set your last message to Read for “Seen”.
5. Export as PNG, or with the Instagram Story preset to share as a story.