Templates are the foundation of visual creation and automation in Picnie. They allow you to build reusable layouts for images, videos, and PDFs so that anyone on your team can produce consistent outputs without editing designs manually. This guide explains how templates work, how to customize them, and how they integrate with workflows and APIs.
What Are Templates in Picnie
A template is a reusable design structure that contains placeholders for text, images, colors, shapes, and branding elements. Templates can be used to generate:
Social media posts
Advertisements and banners
Product images for e-commerce
Certificates and invoices
Promotional videos
Catalog PDFs and multi-page layouts
Templates remove repetitive design work and enforce brand consistency across teams and clients.
Template Structure
Each template contains variables and design layers.
Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
Text fields | Product name, titles, captions, price labels |
Image placeholders | Product photo, profile picture, logos |
Shapes and design elements | Borders, highlights, promotional stickers |
Color settings | Brand palettes, background tones |
Resizable frames | Dynamic resizing for various formats |
Templates can be configured for one-off usage or scaled to thousands of variations.
How to Access and Edit Templates
Step 1. Open Templates Section
Navigate to the Templates page from the dashboard.
Step 2. Choose a Template Type
Select from image, video, or PDF templates based on your intended output.
Step 3. Customize Template Layout
You can modify:
Text fonts and styles
Image positions
Color themes and brand palettes
Icons, shapes, and overlays
Step 4. Save and Reuse
Once saved, the template can be used repeatedly for bulk or individual generation.
Working With Variables
Templates use variable fields to change content dynamically. For example:
Variable | Description | Output Example |
|---|---|---|
| Product or campaign title | New Arrival Shoes |
| Price value | $32.99 |
| Product or brand asset | Image file placeholder |
| Certificate or publication date | 2025-11-14 |
Variables can be:
Entered manually during export
Fetched from a spreadsheet during automation
Supplied through an API request
This is how a single template can produce thousands of designs.
Integration With Workflows and APIs
Templates are compatible with:
Workflows for bulk automation
Google Sheets and other no-code tools
REST APIs and webhooks
Example
A single pricing template can generate 500 product cards using a spreadsheet where each row represents a product.
Best Practices for Template Creation
Best Practice | Benefit |
|---|---|
Use consistent brand colors | Ensures visual identity |
Keep variable text short | Prevents layout overlap |
Use high-resolution assets | Improves export quality |
Group repeating elements | Easier edits later |
Keep logos in SVG where possible | Sharp output on all sizes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share templates with someone outside my workspace
Yes. Templates can be shared externally so clients or partners can generate visuals without logging in.
Will editing a template affect previously generated visuals
No. Outputs already generated remain unchanged after template updates.
Can templates be used through the API
Yes. Templates can be accessed programmatically using template IDs and variable data.
Summary
Templates are reusable design structures that help teams generate consistent visuals at scale. By using variables, editors, workflows, and API requests, templates allow fully automated image, video, and PDF generation without manual design effort.