Create an Email Template

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Mailchimp provides different template options to help you find the right look for your email marketing. Add your logo and select the colors and fonts that fit your brand, so you can create a reusable design for future emails.

In this article, you'll learn how to create an email template.

Before you start

Here are some things to know before you begin this process.

  • Depending on your plan, you may not have access to all of the template options. To find out what features are included in each plan, check out our pricing page. To change your plan type, visit the plans page in your account.
  • By default, you’ll design your email in the new builder unless you’ve used the legacy builder previously. If you’d prefer to use the legacy builder, check out Switch Your Default Email Builder.
  • If you're unsure about which template to use, read more about our different template options.
  • To ensure your template displays as expected, take a look at our image recommendations for content blocks.
  • When you edit a custom-coded template, your changes may affect existing emails that use the template.

Note

This article provides information on creating a template in the new and legacy builders. For more information on each email builder and their content blocks, check out About Mailchimp’s Email Builders.

About templates

Use templates to create and save email designs and layouts that you use often. When you create an email from a saved template, just add your new content and you’re quickly ready to send.

There are several ways to create an email template. All template options are on the Email templates page.

  • Saved Find the templates you’ve saved in the Saved tab. Hover over the template to create an email and see more options.
  • Mailchimp templates Browse all pre-designed templates in the Mailchimp templates tab. To refine your options, use the search field or select one of our suggested categories. Filter your options by template type, style, and industry. Click the magnifying glass icon to preview a template.
  • Recently sent Find recently sent emails in the Recently sent tab. If you liked the design of a previously sent email, use it to create a template.
  • Create from scratch Click Create from scratch to add and design content from a blank template.
  • Code your own Click Code your own to import your own custom template as HTML. This is an advanced option.

For the new builder

To create an email template for the new email builder, follow these steps.

  1. Click Campaigns, then click Email templates.

  2. Choose a template option.

  3. To design your own template, click Create from scratch.

  4. To create a template from a recently sent email, click the Recently sent tab.
  5. To browse and select one of Mailchimp’s pre-designed templates, click Mailchimp templates.
  6. Hover over a template and click the magnifying glass icon to preview the template.
  7. Once you find the template you want to use, click Create template.
  8. Edit images, fonts, and colors to match your brand.
  9. Drag and drop content blocks into your template layout. Add and format text, products, images, files, and other content. To learn more, read Design an Email With the New Builder.
  10. Click Preview to see how your template will look on desktop and mobile. Click Inbox to see how your email looks in different email clients.
  11. Click Save and exit.

For the legacy builder

By default, you’ll design your template in the new builder unless you’ve used the legacy builder previously and have selected the legacy builder as your default email builder.

To create a template for the legacy email builder, follow these steps.

  1. Click Campaigns, then click Email templates.
  2. Click Create a legacy template.
  3. Click a tab to choose a template category. Choose from Layouts, Themes, or Code your own.

The Layouts tab contains Featured and Basic templates. Featured templates provide recommendations for the type of content to include, while Basic templates provide blank layouts. The Themes tab contains predesigned layouts. The Code your own tab allows you to import or paste in HTML to create your template layout. To learn more about these options, check out Types of Email Templates. 4. Click the template you want to work with. 5. Drag and drop content blocks into your template layout to add and format text, images, files, and other content as needed. 6. When you're done, click Save and Exit. 7. In the Save Template pop-up modal, enter a name for your template. 8. Click Save.

Your new template will be available for you to use on the Email templates page or under Saved templates in the legacy email builder.

Code your own

If you want more control over your email design than our templates offer, consider creating your own custom template. Designers can use Mailchimp's template language to create a dynamic template they can import as HTML. This is helpful for web designers who want to upload a template for a client with sections that are editable, repeatable, or hideable.

To add a custom-coded template in the new or legacy builder, navigate to the Email templates page and click Code your own to access your options.

To add a custom-coded template in the new or legacy builder follow these steps.

  1. Click the Campaigns navigation menu.
  2. Click Email templates.
  3. Click Code your own, then click Continue.
  4. Paste your code into the Edit code field, then click Save.
  5. To insert an image, click Edit Design from the bottom task bar to load the Design menu.

a. You can also edit your email template Page, Preheader, Header, Body, Footer, Mobile Styles and Referral Badge from the Design Menu. 6. Use the Preview and Test menu to view your template or send a test email.

a. Click the Edit Design | Edit Code buttons to make changes.

b. Click Content Studio to view designs. 7. Click Save and Exit, then name your design, then click Save. 8. Follow the prompt to view your template. Select your preferred template to Create email.

a. Use More options menu to Edit template, Send to Mandrill, Replicate template, Share template, Export template or Rename template. 9. Complete the Email Checklist, then Preview your template and click Send.

For more help with custom-coded templates, check out Getting Started with Mailchimp’s Template Language and Import a Custom HTML Template.

If you have the Mailchimp Transactional add-on, you can use one of our transactional templates or convert a draft marketing template to a transactional email. When your draft is ready, publish it to use in the Mailchimp Transactional platform.

Note

When converting to a transactional template, a transactional-only copy is created and your original marketing template will remain the same. The conversion is permanent. You cannot use the template for marketing campaigns after you convert it.

Create a transactional template

Use ‌Transactional Template

To use a transactional template, follow these steps.

  1. Click Content, then click Email templates.
  2. Click the Transactional tab.
  3. Click Create template.
  4. Select a starting point for your design.
  5. Design your email using the content blocks.
  6. Click Save and exit.

Publish a Transactional Template

You must publish a template before the API can send it.

  1. Navigate to the Transactional tab.
  2. Find the template you want to use.
  3. Click the arrow to open the drop-down menu.
  4. Select Publish.
  5. Click Publish again in the confirmation modal.
  6. Look for the Published badge next to your template.

Convert a Saved Template to Transactional

You can move a standard marketing template to the Transactional template.

  1. Click the Saved tab in Email templates.
  2. Find the template you want to move.
  3. Click the arrow to open the drop-down menu.
  4. Select Convert to Transactional.
  5. The template now appears in the Transactional tab.
  6. You must publish the template to use it.

Unlock Transactional Features

If you do not have the add-on, you will see a Transactional setup needed alert.

  1. Click the Transactional tab.
  2. Click the Set up transactional button.
  3. Follow the prompts to add Mailchimp Transactional to your plan.
  4. Once purchased, you can create and publish templates.

Next steps

Now that you’ve created a new email template, you’re ready to use it for future emails. Here are some resources to help you get started.

Access Your Saved Email Templates Create a Regular Email Preview and Test Your Email

Getting Started with Mailchimp's Email Template Language

Use Mailchimp's Template language to create your own email template. Learn how to create sections, use merge tags, test your template, and more.

Templates vs. Campaigns

It's important to understand the difference between Mailchimp's email templates and email campaigns. Learn more about when to use each.

Import a Custom HTML Template

With Mailchimp, you can import, reuse, and share your custom HTML templates. Learn how to import ZIP or HTML files.