Design and Layout

7 Tips to Choosing the Right Template

Choosing the right template is important, but maybe not for the reasons you think. Templates are a guide, not a rule, so the tips below will help you to choose the best template for your needs.

While many of our templates are free, keep in mind that hundreds of extra premium templates are available with a Designer PRO subscription--which also gives you access to other great design tools and content.

Tip #1 - Pick Ones You Like

This is important. Templates give you ideas on what you can do, but you aren't restricted to just the templates in the categories designated for you. If you are doing a wedding newspaper, but find a template in the school category that you like, well, use it! You can always modify it to fit your needs.

Tip #2 - Change it if you need to

Our templates are 100% customizable. Every element on our templates can be changed, deleted, or moved. You are free to import your own, create your own, or just rearrange things to your satisfaction.

Tip #3 - Don't Limit Your Options

Our templates are designed to be placed on 1 page at a time. This means you can choose a different template for each and every page of your newspaper. If you like a template from one category that would look good on page 3, then add it there.

Tip #4 - Get Ideas From the Templates

Our templates can give you ideas. If you see an idea you like, insert the template on an empty page and copy the elements you like to the page you want. Our Designer is 100% flexible in this respect. You can mix and match ideas. WARNING: Be careful not to load a template on top of another one or you will erase everything on that page.

Tip #5 - You Don't Have to Use a Template

You can start with a blank canvas and build from scratch. This is the power of our Designer. It works as a fully functional desktop publishing program in the cloud. So if you don't find a template you like, make your own! You can then use the template you create in future projects without having to rebuild them.

Tip #6 - You Control the Template

Don't limit yourself to the template design. Though our templates are designed to fit a vast majority of situations, it may not be completely right for you. Feel free to adjust it to your needs. Don't feel as if you must put a picture where we did or text where we did. We do suggest that you read up on good design methods as you design, however.

Tip #7 - Have Fun!

Designing your newspaper can be a lot of fun. Getting it just right is what everyone wants, so enjoy the process.

Free Cloud Designer Templates

Our templates are 100% customizable, super user-friendly, and designed specifically to help you create outstanding newspapers with our free Cloud Designer. Below are a few of the 100s of templates available to you.