Before you create a Template, you will need to have the project/dataset that you are going to use with it and preferably from 1 to 3 records created under the same dataset to test the design preview.

Select the Template option in the blue banner. From this option you can start with a premade template available under “Free Templates” or use the Wizard to create, but the purpose of this article is to guide you on Manually creating a Template.

Under Template-> Create a Template -> Manually create a design template, you will provide the Template’s name and will select the dataset that will be linked to this design as well as the card specifications. Please do not change the Width and Height values. They will automatically change based on the card type selected. Once the information is provided, use the “Create Template” button to continue.

Once you are in the template view, you will see 3 sections.

The section on the Left contains two windows, Design and Settings. Under Design you will have a list of Elements that you can add to the Design and then work with the properties of each one independently, and under Settings you can edit the information associated with this template.

· Text: Use this element to add alphanumeric information, either variable or static. It will allow you to use line breaks.

· Auto size Text: Use this element to add alphanumeric information, either variable or static. This element will allow you to select the minimum font and maximum font size. Ideal to work with long strings. It will show the content in only one line.

· Line: To add a line in the design.

· Circle: To add a circle in the design.

· Square: To add a square in the design.

· Image: To add an image in the design that will not vary, for example a logo, the president signature that is always the same.

· Variable Image: To use a variable image field from the project/dataset in use, for example the picture or signature from each record.

· Barcode: To add a barcode element that will use variable and/or static information. You will have to select the format of the barcode based on the compatible format that your barcode scanner will use.

· Date: Use this element to add a date field from your project or current time (no need to use a variable for current time) You will have the option to change the date format and adjust your date by day.

* Width, size, angle and other properties are editable.

*Under the Background option you cand select a color or an image to add as a background to the Template.

If you add an image as a background, the system will automatically adjust it, and you will not be able to adjust. If you are not satisfied with the background results, please add the background as an Image element and edit the size and position as needed.

The section on the Middle will have the template where you can add elements (variables previously created in the dataset or non-variable content such as the image of a logo or text). This is going to show a preview of how your Template design is going to look.

Now you can start adding elements by just clicking on them. For most elements you will be inserting one or multiple variable fields that you previously defined in the project linked to the template or just typing the static text in the “Content/Data box”. The info that you are going to display under an element can be combined by variables and static content.

Each text element in the template that you see under brackets will contain variable information from the fields in question for each record in the project. Please note that these fields are predefined, you can only select them from the “Insert Variable” drop down menu. Do not try to create them manually in the content box. If you rename or delete fields in the Project and/or change the Project linked/associated to the Template, make sure to update the elements in your template with the corresponding variables.

To edit the element properties, you need to select it in the Template. You will see all the properties associated with the element selected in the Template in the left section under Design -> Object settings. Properties can change based on the type of element selected. You can also apply conditions to many of these elements. Refer to our How to use Conditions article for more details if needed.

Variable image fields work the same way. You just insert the variable field you want to pull from, and it will display the image associated with that record. For images that will be the same on every card, you will upload it in the template editor here by adding a regular “image” field.

The section in the Right contains 6 buttons/options. Starting from top to bottom:

Show Layers: It will show all the elements added to the card. Selecting elements here will give you the option to either delete or lock them. using the lock next to the name to avoid editing and/or deleting it. You can always unlock the element back.

Switch Sides: To move from the front of the card to the back and vice versa.

Arrange: It will allow you to position elements within the card such that they appear in front of or behind another element.

Show Grid: When this grid is active it will help you position the elements and get a better idea of ​​the dimensions they occupy on the card. This grid would only be visible in the design, never on the printed card. It can be active or inactive, depending on the user's preference.

Clone to Back: It allows you to create a copy of the design already created on the front of the card. If after cloning this design, you make any changes to the front of the card, this will not be reflected on the back.

Undo Changes: It will allow you to undo the last changes made one by one.

You can preview your card any time by clicking the preview button near the top right of your screen. When you are satisfied, you can change the template from “draft” to “active” by selecting the red dot in the top middle of the screen and changing it to “active.”

And very important, always make sure to save your changes!