Why update your theme
Updating to the Classic theme gives you access to:
Actively maintained and continuously updated themes
Improved customization and layout options
Better navigation and future guideline enhancements
We recommend updating proactively so you can:
Choose the theme that best fits your brand
Plan changes on your own timeline
Avoid automatic updates later
Automatic updates
If you choose not to upgrade manually, your guidelines will be updated automatically according to the following timeline:
June 30, 2026: Guidelines without custom CSS or custom footers
Your guidelines will update automatically to the Classic Theme.
Your existing cover, document, and library settings will carry over.
Some small visual tweaks may be needed after the update.
You can explore the new customization options whenever you’re ready.
September 30, 2026: Guidelines with custom CSS and/or custom footers
We’ll contact you before any automatic update.
Your Customer Success Manager will guide you through the options.
You can choose a new theme or build a custom theme, depending on your needs.
Automatic updates ensure that all guidelines transition successfully. However, upgrading manually gives you greater control and flexibility over the process.
Available themes
You can update to:
Update options
You can:
Update a single guideline
Update multiple guidelines using a blueprint
Wait for automatic updates
The demos below walk you through each approach:
Update a single guideline:
Update many guidelines:
Update a single legacy guideline:
Choose how to apply your settings:
When updating to the Classic theme, you'll choose how settings should be applied.
Use your current settings: Carry over settings from your existing guideline.
Option 1: Apply settings from one document and library: Settings from a selected document and library are applied across all pages.
Best for: Guidelines where all documents and libraries should share the same appearance and settings.
Option 2: Apply settings per document and library: Each document and library keeps its current settings.
Best for: Guidelines where different documents and libraries have unique settings.
Import settings from another guideline: Import settings from an existing guideline.
Best for: Guidelines that should match the design and configuration of another guideline.
Important: Fonts added through the Font block are not imported when using this option. To make fonts available across multiple guidelines, we recommend managing them through Essentials → Fonts.
Steps to follow:
Step 1: Start the update
Open the legacy guideline you want to update.
Click the Paintbrush icon.
Click Update now.
Step 2: Choose how to update
Select one of the following:
Use your current settings
Import settings from another guideline
Step 3: Apply your settings
If you selected Use your current settings, choose one of the following:
Apply settings from one document and library
Apply settings per document and library
If you choose Apply settings from one document and library:
Select a document.
Select a library (if applicable).
Step 4: Confirm the update
Click Confirm.
Your guideline is now using the Classic theme.
What happens during the update:
All content remains unchanged
Existing or imported settings are applied. Fonts added through the Font block are not imported and must be managed separately.
Your guideline gains access to the latest theme improvements
Note: In some cases, such as guidelines containing certain logo assets, you may need to make small adjustments after updating.
Optional: Customize your guideline
After updating, you can further customize your guideline.
Open Themes.
Adjust settings such as:
Typography
Lists
Buttons
Color schemes
Open Layout and navigation to access Classic theme-specific settings.
Tips
Settings apply to the page type you're currently editing.
Cover pages, document pages, and library pages each have their own settings.
You can update all document pages at once or customize individual pages.
You can update all library pages at once or customize individual pages.
The Classic theme also includes improvements such as:
Enhanced header styling
Custom dropdown menus
Expanded customization options for Search, AI Assistant, and the language switcher
You can continue refining settings at any time after updating.
How to update many legacy guidelines using a blueprint
This is the recommended approach if you manage multiple guidelines.
Step 1: Create a blueprint guideline
Open a legacy guideline.
Click Actions → Duplicate.
Select Use your current settings.
Choose your preferred update option.
Click Confirm.
The duplication process typically takes 2–3 minutes. You'll receive an email when it's complete.
Step 2: Rename the duplicate
Open Settings.
Rename the guideline (for example, Blueprint).
This guideline will serve as your template for future updates.
Step 3: Add fonts to Essentials
Managing fonts through Essentials makes them easier to maintain across multiple guidelines.
Go to Essentials → Fonts.
Add fonts from a provider or upload self-hosted fonts.
Click Confirm.
Step 4: Configure your blueprint
Open the blueprint guideline.
Confirm it is using the Classic theme.
Assign your brand fonts from Essentials.
Customize:
Guideline settings
Theme settings for each page type
Step 5: Update each legacy guideline
For each legacy guideline:
Open the guideline.
Click the Paintbrush icon.
Click Update now.
Select Import settings from another guideline.
Select the brand.
Select your blueprint guideline.
Click Confirm.
Repeat these steps for all remaining legacy guidelines.
Important note about importing settings
When using Import settings from another guideline:
Fonts added through the Font block are not imported.
For this reason, we recommend managing fonts through Essentials, especially when updating multiple guidelines.
Need help?
If you have questions about updating your guidelines or choosing the right theme, contact your Frontify Customer Success Manager or reach out to Frontify Support.