Overview

Templates are the foundation of your Scribeless campaigns, defining the design, layout, and content structure of your handwritten notes. This guide walks you through creating and editing templates that will bring personalization to life in your campaigns.

Getting Started

Log in to your Scribeless dashboard
Navigate to the Templates section
Click Create New Template to begin
Select your desired product format (letter, postcard, flat card, folded card, etc.)

When you open the template editor, you'll see your design workspace and an action panel on the right side.

Core Features

Handwriting Customization

Change handwriting style - Select from various handwriting fonts (e.g., Arthur, Foster, George)
Adjust handwriting positioning - Move text placement on the page
Modify handwriting color - Choose ink colors for your handwritten text
Set handwriting size - Adjust the scale of handwriting to fit your design

Content Creation

Add copy - Type or paste your message text
Insert variables - Add dynamic personalization fields using the variables selector
Custom fields - Select campaign-specific variables for personalization

Design Components

When working with the template, you can add various components:

Text component - Insert plain text anywhere on your design
Handwriting component - Add handwritten text with your chosen style
Image component - Upload and position images within your design
QR code component - Include scannable QR codes for tracking engagement
Container - Create areas to organize multiple components together
Flip template - Toggle between front and back sides of your design

Using Variables for Personalization

Variables are placeholders that get replaced with recipient-specific information when your campaign is produced. To add variables:

Position your cursor where you want to insert a variable
Click the Variables selector from the action bar
Choose from standard variables (name, address) or custom fields from the list

Example: When you select variables like "first_name" or "custom_1" from the variables list, they will be automatically inserted at your cursor position.

Preview and Publication

Once you've completed your design:

Review your template to ensure all elements are properly positioned
Check how variables will appear in the final product
Click Publish Template to save and make it available for campaigns

Your published template will now be available to select when creating campaigns.

Advanced Features

QR Codes

QR codes provide engagement tracking for your handwritten notes:

Customize appearance with various style options
Link to your website or landing pages
Track scans through the dashboard analytics

Multi-sided Designs

For postcards and folded cards, you can design both sides:

Click the Flip Template option to switch between front and back
Add different components to each side
Balance handwritten and printed content across sides

Best Practices

Test variables - Review how different lengths of personalized content will appear
Consider spacing - Leave room for handwriting variation between recipients
Be consistent - Maintain brand identity across all your templates
Save templates - Create reusable designs for different campaign types

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a custom field to any text component?

Yes, you can add a custom field to any text component in your template. Simply place your cursor where you want the variable, open the variables selector, and choose your custom field from the list.

What size should my images be?

The image component allows you to upload images of any size and resize them to fit your design. The editor will automatically adjust the image to fit within the container you've defined, giving you flexibility with your design elements.

How do I ensure my handwriting fits well in my design?

The template editor gives you precise control over positioning and sizing of handwritten text. You can adjust the placement, scale, and spacing to create the perfect layout. The preview will show you how your handwritten content will appear in the final product.