What are template types?
Frontify supports three template types, each optimized for a different workflow.
Digital templates are designed for flexible page editing.
Print templates are optimized for professional print production.
Motion templates add lightweight animation capabilities.
Digital templates
Best for
Marketing assets
Presentations
Social media
Campaigns
Supports
✓ Reorder pages
✓ Duplicate pages
✓ Delete pages
✓ Copy pages between templates
Can be created from
Figma
Sketch
InDesign
Exports: PDF, PNG, JPEG
Print templates
Best for
Professional printing
Packaging
Brochures
Editorial layouts
Supports
✓ PDF presets
✓ InDesign export with changes
✓ Bleeds
✓ Crop marks
✓ Spreads
✓ CMYK colors
Can be created from
InDesign
Exports: PDF, PNG JPEG
Motion templates
Best for
Display ads
Social campaigns
Animated marketing assets
Supports
✓ Animation
✓ GIF
✓ MP4
✓ HTML5
Can be created from
Single Figma frame
Converting print templates
Print templates can be converted into Digital templates.
Converting unlocks flexible page editing — reordering, duplicating, deleting, and copying pages between templates — but removes print-specific features: PDF presets, InDesign export with changes, bleeds, crop marks, spreads, and CMYK colors.
Because the conversion can't be undone, Frontify recommends creating a Digital duplicate if you want to keep the original Print template. As with any duplicated template, the new Digital duplicate is unpublished, regardless of whether the original Print template is published.
How to import an InDesign file as a print template
1. Go to templates and click new.
2. Under "Import design to create template," select print template.
3. Drop your InDesign package, or click Choose file to browse for one.
4. Once the design passes the check, click import.
Your InDesign file is now a print template, with access to PDF presets, bleeds, crop marks, spreads, and CMYK colors.
How to convert a print template into a digital template
1. On the print template you want to convert, click the three-dot menu.
2. Select convert to digital template.
3. Choose how to continue:
Create a digital duplicate (recommended): keeps the original as a print template and opens a new digital copy.
Convert this template: replaces the current template with a digital version. This can't be undone.
4. Click create duplicate.
5. Once the duplicate is ready, click open duplicate to view it in a new tab, or close to stay on the templates page.
Your digital duplicate now supports page management: reordering, duplicating, deleting, and copying pages between templates.
Note: Digital duplicates are unpublished by default, even if the original print template is published.
FAQs
Why are there different template types?
Print templates rely on the InDesign service, which provides advanced print production features but constrains future editing capabilities. Digital templates are designed for flexible page editing today and will continue to gain new capabilities over time. Motion templates are built on the Digital workflow by adding animation support.
Can I use page management with all digital templates?
Page management is currently available for digital templates imported from Figma as well as digital templates converted from print templates. Digital templates originally imported from Sketch do not support page management at this time.
How does color conversion work when converting print templates to digital (CMYK to RGB)?
When converting a print template to a digital template, Frontify automatically converts CMYK colors to RGB. This automated conversion provides an estimated color match. We recommend reviewing the converted colors and adjusting them in your template editor to ensure they match your brand color standards before publishing or approving assets.
What happens to my existing InDesign templates that were created for digital use? Do I need to take any action?
No action is needed. Existing templates created from InDesign will automatically display as print templates in your overview. This is simply a categorization label to distinguish template types across the platform, there is no underlying technical change to how your templates work. If you would like to unlock page management and digital-first features for those templates, you can easily convert them into digital templates at any time using the conversion wizard.
(Tip: If you might still need print-specific capabilities for a template, make a duplicate before converting it.)