Nine-panel storyboard layout with caption space: for filmmakers, animators and UX designers.

Free 9-panel storyboard template. Each frame includes caption space, print-ready for film, animation and UX wireframing.

Storyboard Paper | Free Printable 3×3 PDF Template

Storyboard Paper (3×3)

First-pass storyboards should be rough, stick figures, blobs, arrows showing motion. Detail comes later. The point of the first pass is to see the sequence, not to make finished art.

Sketch loosely, then iterate

If you know what should happen in a beat but not what it looks like, start with the caption ('CHARACTER WALKS IN, NOTICES DOOR') and sketch to match. Working from caption to image is how professional film boards often start.

Write the caption first sometimes

Add shot abbreviations to the caption: WS (wide), MS (medium), CU (close-up), POV (point of view). Even a quick mark like 'WS ←' (wide shot, camera moves left) tells the next reader most of what they need.

Use the captions for shot type

Pencil sequential numbers in the corner of each frame so when pages get shuffled or pinned up, you can reassemble them in order. For multi-page sequences, write 'page 2 of 4' at the top.