My Pinterest Pin Templates: The Exact Designs That Get Clicks

I've created hundreds of Pinterest pins over the past two years. Some got thousands of saves and almost no clicks. Some got modest saves and drove hundreds of visitors per week. The difference came down to design.

I now have 4 templates that I rotate through. They're not glamorous. They're not going to win design awards. But they consistently drive clicks, which is the only metric that matters for a blog trying to earn affiliate income.

Here's each one — what it looks like, why it works, and when I use it.

Template 1: Text-Forward on a Solid Background

What it looks like:

• Solid color background (usually dark: navy, charcoal, or deep green)
• Large, bold white headline (takes up 60–70% of the pin)
• Small website URL or logo in the bottom corner
• Maybe a subtle texture overlay on the background

Why it works: This template doesn't ask the viewer to interpret an image. The message is the design. For informational content — how-to posts, honest reviews, comparisons — this is the clearest possible signal: "I have information you want."

The contrast between the dark background and white text is visible at any screen size, which matters on mobile where most Pinterest browsing happens.

When I use it: Comparison posts ("MadeThis vs Kajabi"), honest reviews ("Is MadeThis Worth It?"), and step-by-step guides. Any post where the information itself is the draw.

Template 2: Headline + Supporting Image (Split Layout)

What it looks like:

• Top 60%: a relevant image (screenshot of a dashboard, a product mockup, or a styled flat lay)
• Bottom 40%: solid color block with bold headline text
• The image reinforces the topic; the text block drives the click

Why it works: The image creates visual interest that catches the eye while scrolling. The text block with the headline creates the "click to learn more" impulse. The combination of visual + clear benefit statement outperforms either alone.

When I use it: Tutorial posts, tool roundups, "here's what I use" posts. If I'm writing about a specific tool or product, I'll use a screenshot or product image in the top half.

Template 3: Numbered List (Listicle Format)

What it looks like:

• Bold number prominently displayed (large, colored, hard to miss)
• Headline states what the list contains ("7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Digital Product Business")
• Clean background, minimal decoration
• The "7" or "5" or "10" creates instant curiosity

Why it works: List content performs reliably because it promises a complete set of information. "7 ways to..." implies you'll get all seven, not just a vague answer. Readers know what they're clicking into, and they want the full list.

Numbered headlines also stand out visually when you use a large, high-contrast number as a design element. It's distinctive in a feed full of image-heavy pins.

When I use it: Any listicle post, roundup, or "X things I learned" content. Also works well for "X mistakes to avoid" posts.

Template 4: Personal Photo + Quote/Insight

What it looks like:

• My photo (headshot or working-at-laptop style) on one side
• Short, punchy quote or insight text on the other
• My site name and URL clearly visible

Why it works: This one builds brand recognition over time. After a viewer sees my face paired with quality insights a few times, they start to recognize and trust my content even before they click. It doesn't always have the highest immediate click rate, but it builds the kind of familiarity that leads to follows and return visits.

For affiliate content, trust is a significant conversion factor. Readers who recognize me as a real person convert at higher rates when they reach my review and comparison posts.

When I use it: Personal story posts, opinion pieces, "lessons learned" content. Anything where the "Dan behind the blog" angle is part of the appeal.

The Technical Specs Behind All 4 Templates

• Size: 1000×1500px (2:3 ratio)
• Primary font: I use a sans-serif for headlines (Montserrat or similar) at 36–48pt
• Secondary font: A complementary lighter weight for subheadings or body text
• Color palette: I have 4 colors I use across all templates. Consistency builds brand recognition.
• Logo/URL: Bottom corner, small but present. This is how viewers find me if the pin gets reshared.

Creating at Scale

I design new pins in Canva. Having these templates as saved Canva designs means I can produce a new pin in about 5 minutes — I just swap the headline and sometimes the background color or image.

I create 2–3 pin variants per blog post. The text-forward template gets one headline version. The listicle format gets another. After 3–4 weeks, I check Pinterest Analytics and see which drove more clicks. Over time, I refine.

The posts that always get multiple pin versions: anything comparison-related, like my MadeThis vs Shopify post and my MadeThis pricing breakdown. Those posts convert well when I get the click — so I invest more in driving that traffic.

If you're building a blog to promote a platform you believe in, the design work is worth it. Better pins → more clicks → more affiliate conversions. And when the platform you're promoting is solid — like MadeThis — every click has a real chance of converting into a commission.

Start with one or two of these templates. Build the consistency habit first. Then test and iterate.