Content Overview:
In designing templates for the Digital and Print Templates, where do the most significant challenges lie? Are there any possible workarounds for existing templates? To simplify the answer, we’ll split Sketch and InDesign, since the way you create templates will slightly differ depending on which one you’ll use.
Template Requirements
Generally, the Frontify Templates solution is best suited for creating templates with clear layout hierarchies. While lengthy copy previously risked breaking fixed layouts across multi-language or translation workflows, Frontify now supports configurable auto-grow and anchor controls on text boxes, allowing frames to expand dynamically as text length changes.
Our Templates solution only modifies elements in the source document that have been changed. For example, if no changes are made to an element, the element in the original document remains untouched. This means that even if elements don’t look quite right while in editing mode, they still render correctly when downloaded – because, essentially, they haven’t changed.
Setting Up your Sketch File
The following are the key considerations when designing or converting Sketch documents for Digital Templates. Because our solution is constantly evolving, changes to the list may occur.
Sketch Version
We support Sketch 67 and following.
Artboard
A template must include at least one Artboard. Otherwise, nothing will render upon export. Each Artboard needs to have a unique name. Make sure that you don't use any slashes (/) in your Artboard name.
All elements in your sketch file need to be placed on an artboard - otherwise, the upload will fail.
Fonts
In Sketch you can embed the fonts needed for a template. This makes the fonts available for selection as font types and make the Templates/Publications look correct while editing and on download. We do not support variable fonts.
You can embed the fonts via "File" - "Document settings" - "Fonts" - "Select all" in Sketch.
Images
Do not rotate, mirror, or transform images if the intent is to have them changed by the end-user. We keep transformations when replacing images, which would leave the user confused when replacements are suddenly transformed. Also, use JPEG or PNG images, as Sketch will automatically inline SVGs as shapes; they won’t be replaceable in your templates or publications.
Image Frame Boundaries
Ensure that all image placeholder frames stay within the artboard boundaries of your template. If an image frame extends beyond the artboard frame, it can cause rendering issues, particularly with SVG files (icons, logos).
Text
Split different text styles or elements (e.g., title and subtitle) into separate text fields. That way, they can be unlocked, edited, and styled independently. Because of differences in text rendering between the browser and Sketch, line breaks line might end up earlier or later in the text.
Line height: Make sure to define a line height for text in your Sketch file by setting the wanted value in "Line."
Lines
If you want to display lines correctly in editing mode, use a rectangle with a fill.
Text boxes
Our digital templates solution automatically imports and respects Sketch’s “Fix Size” controls for vertical and horizontal text resizing:
Native import: If you set a text layer in Sketch to auto-resize (width or height), Frontify preserves these growth modes and anchor directions on import.
Configurable in Frontify: You can also adjust or define text box behavior directly within Frontify's template settings at any time without re-uploading your Sketch file. You can choose between:
Fixed: Locks the box to its original size.
Auto-grow: Expands dynamically by Width, Height, or Both.
Anchor position: Choose an origin anchor on the 9-point grid to specify which direction the text box expands from (e.g., top-left growing down/right).
For more details on managing text settings inside the editor, see Setting up Templates.
Unsupported Features
Text lists
Lists (bullet points) are not supported.
Masks
Masks are not supported.
Symbols
Symbols are not supported, so make sure to “detach” them before importing the template to your Template Library.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us.