Brandfolder custom templates step 1: Configure projects

Brandfolder custom templating uses WYSIWYG template creation so you can easily build templates that other users can customize.

Who can use this?

Plans:

  • Brandfolder

Permissions:

  • Owner
  • Administrator
  • Collaborator

Find out if this capability is included in Smartsheet Regions or Smartsheet Gov.

The integration currently supports digital and print assets. 

These configurations are available if your organization uses advanced templating. The following features aren't available in basic templating. 

The first step is to configure projects to create templates. 

To create a Brandfolder template, you should:

  1. Configure projects
  2. Lock projects
  3. Save a project and generate a template

Brandfolder custom template concepts

  • Project: A working file created from any template. 
  • Template: Created from the project and for end users. End users can customize elements within the template, including text, images, backgrounds, and shapes. These are all defined, locked, or unlocked for editing by the Admin or Collaborator. 
  • Canvas size: The size of the project and the resulting template. You can know the canvas size based on the channel where you want to use the asset. For example, the default Instagram post size is 1080px by 1080px.

1. Create a new asset

  1. Within the section that you want the template to live in, select Create New Asset.

 You can only create templates in a file type section.  

2. Select the type of project you want the template to be. 

  • Digital design: Used for social media ads and websites using pixel-based dimensions. 
  • Print design: For high-quality projects with bleed and CMYK using inch-based dimensions. 

2. Create a new project

Once you select the project type, a new modal appears. 

  1. Name your project.
  2. Choose one of the following:
  • A specific canvas size. This reveals multiple pre-defined options, such as commonly used social posts (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest)
  • Upload an image. This defaults the project to the canvas size of the image uploaded.
  • Create from an existing template. This defaults the project to the canvas size of the selected template. 

3. Select Create Project in the bottom right-hand corner of the modal.

3. Build out a new project 

Use the options on the left side of the project navigation area to add and adjust text, images, background, and shapes. 

You can add and clone new pages. 

Brandfolder custom templates step 1: configure projects

Text

Add text (headers, subheadings, lines of text, bullet points) and select from various fonts, colors, sizes, and alignments. 

The font file types that you can upload to Brandfolder Custom Templates are OTF, TTF, and WOFF.

  • Hyperlink text for a PDF file exported from your account. This is a valuable option for navigating the reader to a webpage. 
    To hyperlink text in your project, follow these steps:
    1. Select the text box you want to hyperlink
    2. In the left menu, locate the Hyperlink option
    3. Add the web address to the page you want to hyperlink to

You can't hyperlink a text box partially.  You must hyperlink the full-text box.

Brandfolder custom templates step 1: configure projects

Images

Upload from your computer, Brandfolder, Unsplash, Pexels, and Iconfinder. 

You can upload certain file types to Brandfolder Custom Templates: JPG, PNG, SVG, TIFF, and HEIC. The default size limit is 25 MB.

You must input your API key the first time you upload from Brandfolder. 

  • Background: Add background images or colors and adjust the size.
  • Shapes: Add shapes to the template using Iconfinder or basic preloaded shapes, or insert images into the shapes. 
  • Adding and cloning pages: To make the project multi-page, select Add New Page below your project preview. 
    To clone a page (make a copy), select Clone Page. 
    You can also expand the menu on the right-hand side and select Pages > Add. 
Brandfolder custom templates step 1: configure projects

Zones

Zones are square or rectangular areas in which you can designate on the template for your user to place a design element (image, video, or SVG). 

Use zones to control whether the design element is masked or fits fully within the area. This feature is excellent for logos, headshots, headers, and more.

There are two ways to create zones in the editor: 

  1. Select Images on the left menu and then select Zone. A placeholder icon appears.
  2. Add an image, video, or square/rectangle shape to the editor and select the Convert to Zone option on the left menu.
Configure a zone

Once you've added the zone, you need to set up a few properties. 

  1. Choose the element position to Fit or Mask. 
    1. Fit: The image or SVG appears in the zone, but you can resize or reposition it anywhere within the designated space. Elements don't appear cropped.
    2. Mask: The image takes up the entire space, leaving no margin. You can crop elements that don’t fit the zone exactly.

  2. Select the Default Orientation (sets where an element placed appears within the Zone). 

    If you chose Mask in step 1, skip steps 3 and 4.

  3. Select the Default Margin. This sets the amount of space between the zone's edges and the element's borders. 
  4. Select the Rotation. This sets the angle at which the element appears.
  5. Select the ability to constrain resize proportions.
  6. Select arrangement and alignment. 

You can use a configuration mode to preview the default placement and position of elements with different aspect ratios. Turn on the configuration mode to generate a preview within the zone for you to visualize.

Next steps

After you've created a new asset and configured your project, set up your locking configurations.