Automate Instagram Carousel Creation with GPT-5, Nano Banana, and Blotato

🎨 Instagram Carousel & Caption Generator on Autopilot (GPT-5 + Nano Banana + Blotato + Google Sheets)

Description

Watch the full step-by-step tutorial on YouTube: https://youtu.be/id22R7iBTjo

Disclaimer (self-hosted requirement): This template assumes you have valid API credentials for OpenAI, Wavespeed/Nano Banana, Blotato, and Google. If using n8n Self-Hosted, ensure HTTPS access and credentials are set in your instance.

How It Works

Chat Trigger – Receive a topic/idea (e.g. “5 best podcast tips”).

Image Prompt Generator (GPT-5) – Creates 5 prompts using the “Hook → Problem → Insight → Solution → CTA” framework.

Structured Output Parser – Formats output into a JSON array.

Generate Images (Nano Banana) – Converts prompts into high-quality visuals.

Wait for Render – Ensures image generation completes.

Fetch Rendered Image URLs – Retrieves image links.

Upload to Blotato – Hosts and prepares images for posting.

Collect Media URLs – Gathers all uploaded image URLs.

Log to Google Sheets – Stores image URLs + timestamps for tracking.

Caption Generator (GPT-5) – Writes an SEO-friendly caption.

Merge Caption + Images – Combines data.

Post Carousel (Blotato) – Publishes directly to Instagram.

Step-by-Step Setup Instructions

1. Prerequisites

n8n (Cloud or Self-Hosted)

OpenAI API Key (GPT-5)

Wavespeed API Key (Nano Banana)

Blotato API credentials (connected to Instagram)

Google Sheets OAuth credentials

2. Add Credentials in n8n

OpenAI: Settings → Credentials → Add “OpenAI API”

Wavespeed: HTTP Header Auth (e.g. Authorization: Bearer <API_KEY>)

Blotato: Add “Blotato API”

Google Sheets: Add “Google Sheets OAuth2 API”

3. Configure & Test

Run with an idea like “Top 5 design hacks”.

Check generated images, caption, and logged sheet entry.

Confirm posting works via Blotato.

4. Optional

Add a Schedule Trigger for weekly automation.

Insert a Slack approval loop before posting.

Customization Guide

✏️ Change design style: Modify adjectives in the Image Prompt Generator.

📑 Adjust number of slides: Change Split node loop count.

💬 Tone of captions: Edit Caption Generator’s system prompt.

⏱️ Adjust render wait time: If image generation takes longer, increase the Wait node duration from 30 seconds to 60 seconds or more.

🗂️ Log extra data: Add columns in Google Sheets for campaign or topic.

🔁 Swap posting tool: Replace Blotato with your scheduler or email node.

Requirements

OpenAI API key (GPT-5 or compatible)

Wavespeed API key (Nano Banana)

Blotato API credentials

Google Sheets OAuth credentials

n8n account (Cloud or Self-Hosted)