Direct Mail offers over 50 built-in templates optimized for both desktop and mobile devices. Each can be customized to meet your specific needs. Already have your own template? You can import custom designs from a number of sources, including HTML, RTF, and Word documents, as well as live web pages. Direct Mail is also compatible with templates designed for Mailchimp and Campaign Monitor.
Advantages of Using a Built-in Template
There are several advantages to using one of our built-in templates:
- Our templates and built-in editor are designed to work together seamlessly.
- Designed to look great across large and small screen sizes (including mobile devices).
- Designed to be maximally compatible with the most popular email clients.
- Allow for easy customization of fonts, colors, and content.
- Easily add columns, images, videos, buttons, maps, social media, links, and more.
- Drag-and-drop and copy-and-paste features make moving content quick and easy.
- Utilize advanced features like dynamic content that adapts to each recipient.
Advantages of Importing a Template
Some advantages to importing a template include:
- Reuse existing HTML code or designs that your designer has already created.
- Edit underlying HTML code if necessary.
- You retain the ability to edit the content after importing into Direct Mail (although options are somewhat limited).
How to Browse Available Templates
You can use the Template Browser to view what templates are available to use.
- Choose Window > Templates from the menu bar at the top of the screen
- Scroll to view the available templates
By default, the Template Browser only contains one category: All Templates. Additional categories will appear (like “Recently Used”) as you begin to use templates, mark templates as a favorite, or create and save your own templates.
How to Choose a Built-in Template
When you create a new message, Direct Mail automatically creates it using your default template. If you don't like the default, you can choose a different template for the message. Direct Mail will attempt to preserve your message content and move it into the new template. If that's not possible, Direct Mail will show you a warning first. Remember, you can always undo any changes you don’t like by choosing Edit > Undo from the menu bar at the top of your screen.
- If you haven't already, select your message
- In the inspector, click Choose Template (if you don't see this button, make sure the inspector's Template tab is selected)
- Select the template you want to use
- Click Choose
How to Import a Template From a File
- If you haven't already, select your message
- In the inspector, click Import File (if you don't see this button, make sure the inspector's Template tab is selected)
- Choose the desired file
- Click Import
How to Import a Template From a Webpage
- If you haven't already, select your message
- In the inspector, click Import Webpage (if you don't see this button, make sure the inspector's Template tab is selected)
- Paste the URL for the webpage you would like to import
- Click Import
Plain Text Templates
If you prefer a message with little or no styling, here are some options:
- Use the template titled "Plain". It does not include any styling and supports only basic content features: fonts, colors, links, images, buttons, and video.
- Use the template titled "Starter". It contains minimal styling, but does support all content features.
- Convert your message to a Plain Text message (choose Message > Content Type > Plain Text from the menu bar at the top of your screen). Plain text messages are text-only do not support any content features.
No matter which template you choose, Direct Mail always includes a plain-text version of your email when your campaign is sent. This is for email clients that don't support HTML email (like some smartwatches) or for recipients that prefer plain-text emails.