There are 2 steps to creating a set of library templates. The first step is to determine the set of library sizes that will best fit the intended use. The second step is to create the layouts based on the library size dimensions.
Library Sizes
We recommend looking at the dimensions of common materials that will be made using this dynamically sized template and using that as a base to start. Here are some basic guidelines when deciding on template dimensions:
- Library templates always size UP, never, down, so it is best to create library sizes just under the common document sizes (Ex: If a common document size is 3.25”x6.125”, a good library size would be 3”x6”).
- The smallest document size available is the dimensions of the smallest library size.
- The recommended scaling between library sizes is 120% of the dimension with a max recommendation of 150%. The system will give a warning message for dimensions more than 150% (Ex: If the width is 4”, the next library size should be no more than 6” in width (150% of 4”). It is best to have some overlap before the next size.
- If you have proportionally very tall or very wide documents, it is possible you could need additional library sizes. If you have some tall documents and some wide document sizes, then it's possible two separate dynamic templates would perform better than a single dynamic template.
- Library sizes may need to be adjusted, or additional sizes created, to account for content changes, typically in the mid-range sizes (see the section below on designing for more information).
- A dynamic template can be created from a single library template, but your use cases ultimately will determine how many library sizes your team will create.
Here is a sample set of library sizes. This set can be used as a starting point and then adjustments may be made either upon testing or during use to improve range performance. This size range will allow documents as small as a business card and up to a tabloid poster (11” x 17”) and also allow for horizontal layouts.
3.5 x 2 | 4.25 x 5 | 3.5 x 7 | 6.5 x 4.5 | 7 x 10 | 8.5 x 11 | 11 x 10 (dimensions are in inches).
Library Templates
Once the library sizes have been determined, create design layouts (library templates) to correspond to your library sizes. Full layouts can be created in InDesign and uploaded to CampaignDrive via IDML Import or you can create individual elements outside of the tool and then do a manual upload. Here are some guidelines and recommendations when creating your templates:
- Use best design practices when designing each size, following smallest font size recommendations, etc. This is important if you start from the largest template and work down, as it is common to see designers just reduce size and end up with fonts and graphics under minimum recommendations.
- Each template does NOT have to be identical and/or have identical information. In fact, it is best to approach each size separately and design each appropriately for its size. However, remember that, to the end user, it is the same document, so relationship consistency is important (Ex: relationship to font size and leading within and across text elements).
- The creation of a “Master” template can help ensure consistency between library sizes. However, don’t just reduce the size of the master to make the new sizes.
- If there is a lot of text in larger ad sizes, check your library sizes to see where there is room for the additional text - this might be where an additional library size is needed.
- Since templates scale UP, the recommended resolution for an image uploaded with a template is 450 PPI (300 x 150%). If an image will be used in multiple library sizes, an easy way to guarantee print quality is to create a template at 150% of the largest library size, adjust the image to the desired crop and then save out the ENTIRE image at that size (not just the cropped version), ensuring that it is at least 300 PPI at that size.