Table of content
Themes FAQ
Getting started with themes
What is a theme? A theme controls the design and layout of your guidelines.
How do I install a theme? Go to the Marketplace and install a theme (Requires account admin access).
How do I select a theme? Click the paintbrush icon in the PowerBar (for guideline owners and editors).
How do I set up a theme? Follow the setup steps here.
Can I migrate my existing settings? Yes. Your existing design settings are migrated to the new typography, button and color scheme settings. Header and navigation settings can't be migrated yet, but support for this is coming soon.
Legacy theme
What is the legacy theme? It's the old default theme. We're replacing it with modern themes that are faster, more stable, and easier to customize.
How is it different from the classic theme? The classic theme keeps the same layout but offers more customization and better performance.
Why is the legacy theme being removed? New themes are faster, more customizable, and fully supported. They also improve accessibility.
Will the legacy theme get updates? No, we're no longer adding new features to the legacy theme. Instead, we're actively improving the classic theme based on your feedback.
When will the legacy theme be removed? We don't have a set date yet, but we recommend switching soon to benefit from the latest features.
Will I get a notification before it’s removed? Yes! We’ll send reminders before the removal so you have time to switch.
Switching to Themes
Why should I switch? New themes are faster, more stable, and more customizable. They also improve accessibility and will keep getting better.
When should I switch? Anytime! If you're updating your branding or refreshing your guidelines, it's an excellent opportunity to switch.
How long does switching take? It depends on your guideline setup. Selecting a theme takes seconds. Setting up your new settings takes most users under an hour.
Will my team be affected when I switch themes? No, switching themes won't change your team's access.
Will my content be affected when I switch themes? No, your content stays the same.
Can I switch between themes? Yes, you can switch anytime. Each theme saves its settings so that you won't lose any changes.
Can I go back to the legacy theme after switching? Yes, but we don't recommend it. The legacy theme will eventually be removed.
What permissions do I need to switch themes? Guideline owners and editors can switch themes. Only an account admin can install themes from the marketplace.
Choosing your Theme
What themes can I choose from? You can install our Classic or Muse themes. You can also build a custom theme. More Frontify and community themes will be added to the marketplace soon. Stay tuned!
How do I choose the right theme? Think about your branding and layout needs:
Choose Classic for a familiar layout.
Choose Muse for a fresh sidebar layout (coming soon).
Build a custom theme for complete control.
Can I preview themes before choosing? Yes! We recommend trying different themes using a testing guideline to see what works best for you.
Can I build my own custom theme? Yes! You can create a custom theme using our Brand SDK. You'll need a designer and front-end developer. You can build it in-house or work with a partner. [Learn more here].
Importing settings from another guideline
Can I import settings from another guideline? Yes! You can save time by importing theme settings, including:
Layout and navigation
Typography
Buttons
Color schemes
How do I import settings? Follow the procedure above:
Click the paintbrush icon in your guideline.
Click Import settings.
Select the brand and guideline from which you want to import.
Click Confirm.
Pro tip: Set up a master or template guideline to easily import settings.
Are there any limitations? Yes, custom fonts can't be imported yet. You'll need to manually add the font block to each guideline. But we're working on it!
Cover Page vs. Document Page
Why is the cover page being removed? We're simplifying the editing experience by moving to a single-page format. With themes, sections, and custom content blocks, document pages offer more flexibility and customization.
When will the cover page be removed? There's no set date yet, but we're no longer updating or adding features to it. We recommend switching to a document page for a better editing experience.
Will I be notified before it's removed? Yes! We'll send updates to keep you informed.
How do I migrate my cover page to a document page? For now, you'll need to manually create a document page. We're working on a migration tool to make this easier soon!
How do I set my document page as the landing page? Your first page automatically becomes your landing page. To change it, move the page to the top of your structure in the Navigation Manager.
Guidelines with Custom CSS
What happens to my Custom CSS when I switch to themes? Custom CSS won’t work with the Classic or Muse themes. However, these themes offer advanced no-code customization that may meet your needs.
What if I need more customization? If the built-in settings aren’t enough, you can create a custom theme using our Brand SDK.
Can I use code to customize or build themes? Yes! With our Brand SDK, you can build a fully custom theme with code.