Template Design
First what is the definition of a template?
A template is a kind of stencil for holding the layout, graphics and text elements on a page. The template can then be used to create additional pages which maintain a consistent style and formatting. Using templates maintains branding guidelines and speeds up page layout. Within a project several templates may be used and combined with Style Guide and Process Guide will save on production costs and time. Templates can be as rigid or as flexible as needed.
What templates
We can build templates for the following:
- For specific software packages such as QuarkXpress, Indesign, Framemaker (structured or unstructured), Ventura, Microsoft Word and Publisher, Dreamweaver and CSS.
- Branding guides
- Templates for books, directories, technical documentation, brochures, flyers etc.
- Websites
- File format conversion e.g. QuarkXpress to Indesign, QuarkXpress to Word, Word to Framemaker...
Our template design service
We can custom design templates for specific desktop publishing software or as part of creating Branding Guidelines. We also specialise in offering a Publishing Toolbox which is a combination of templates, Process guides, Style guides and training if required. And lastly we can build Website templates using Dreamweaver and CSS.
Our templates are typically made up of the following components:
- Stylesheets: paragraph styles, numbering, cross-referencing, figure and table labels, callouts; character styles, object styles, table styles etc.
- Master pages: page size, grids, margins, columns, running headers, footers, page numbering, page ornaments etc.
- Style Guide: guidance and instructions on how to use the templates, a list of dos and don’ts, specific import or export instructions, typesetting rules, graphic placement rules, using numbering and cross-referencing, adding markers etc.
Our Specialist templates will include all of the above plus:
- Script templates: placement holders, mapping, styling for XML and database publishing.
- Importing: process or method of importing content from Word or XML or bespoke scripts, style mapping, graphic import features.
- Exporting: as text, pdf, XML.
Our Publishing Toolbox includes all of the above plus:
- Origination pack: for authors, editors and illustrators. The pack contains word processor templates, glossaries, guidelines on creation and format of content, checklists, asset sheets etc.
- Production pack: templates, guidelines, software settings, process instructions.
- Training on use of templates and processes.
We can build Website templates for Dreamweaver or using Cascading style sheets (CSS) from Photoshop, Indesign, QuarkXpress, Word or even a sketch.
For a no obligation discussion on your template design requirements please contact us on 0208 886 3921 or please send us an email.