How to Create a Banner Template for Emails

Email banners should complement your goal and message.

An email banner is a handy way to display your company's name and information for an e-newsletter or campaign. Instead of re-creating the heading each time you need one, simply create a reusable banner template. While there's no specific width for email banners, it's best to stick with a width that caters to the majority of your readers. The template's design and colors should complement your overall message and goal for the publication.

Instructions

Photoshop

1. Click "File" and "New" to launch the "New" dialog box. Enter the dimensions you want to use, such as a width of 800 pixels and a height of 200 pixels. Choose white for the background and click "OK."

2. Press the "F7" key to open the Layers palette.

3. Double-click the background layer in the Layers palette. Click "OK" in the "New layer" dialog box to convert the background layer into "Layer 0."

4. Double-click "Layer 0" in the Layers palette and select "Color overlay" in the "Layer style" dialog box.

5. Click the "Color" button to open the "Color picker" dialog box. Select a background color and click "OK."

6. Select the "Text" tool from the tools panel and go to the "Text" options bar in the toolbar. Select a font, font size and color for your text.

7. Click on the banner and type a heading that displays whenever you use the banner template, such as the company's name, tagline and a "Title," representing the heading you'll change when you use the banner.

Fireworks

1. Click "File" and "New" to launch the "New document" dialog box. Enter the dimensions you want to use, such as a width of 800 pixels and a height of 200 pixels. Choose a background color for the banner and click "OK."

2. Select the "Text" tool from the "Vector" section of the Tools panel.

3. Click "Window" and "Properties" to open the "Properties" inspector.

4. Click the "Font family" drop-down and select a font. Click the "Size" drop-down and select a font size and click the "Color" picker to select a text color.

5. Click on the banner. Type a heading that displays whenever you use the banner template, such as the company's name, tagline and a "Title," representing the heading you'll change when you use the banner.

Publisher

1. Click "File" and "New" and double-click "Blank 8.5 x 11" to create a new document.

2. Select the "Insert" tab and click "Shapes" and "Rectangle" under the "Illustrations" group.

3. Click, hold and drag your mouse across the top of your page to create a short background for the banner.

4. Click the "Format" tab under "Drawing tools" and select "Shape fill" from the "Shape styles" group. Pick a background color for the banner.

5. Right-click the banner and select "Add text." Type a heading that displays whenever you use the banner template, such as the company's name, tagline and a "Title," representing the heading you'll change when you use the banner.

6. Highlight the text. A small toolbar appears faintly over the selected text. Click the "Font color" button and select a text color from the drop-down list. Select a font from the "Font" drop-down list and a size from the "Font size" drop-down.

References

• Adobe Design Center: Text Formatting
• Adobe Help: Choose a Font Family and Style
• "Using Microsoft Publisher 2010"; Brien Posey; 2010