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 less complex templates with as little running text as possible. Why? Simply because when applying lengthy text snippets or complex imagery, you could run the risk of creating inconsistencies. Business cards, posters, or ads are better suited than flyers, brochures, or fact sheets. Text-heavy translation workflows can also prove tricky since text lengths can differ depending on the language.
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.
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 respects Sketch’s “Fix Size” control, so be sure to set the appropriate setting if you need vertical or horizontal auto-growing text boxes.
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.