Email Templates
Templates are reusable email layouts that save you from rebuilding the same design every time you create a campaign. Build a template once, then load it into any campaign with a couple of clicks.
The Templates Page
Head to Templates in the sidebar to see all your templates. The page is organized into two sections:
Starter Templates
These are built-in, ready-to-use templates that come with Punchmail. They're marked with a yellow Starter badge and are read-only -- you can't edit or delete them directly.
To use a starter template, just click on it. Punchmail will create a copy for you (with “(Copy)” added to the name) in your own templates, which you can then customize however you like.
Your Templates
Below the starters, you'll find all the templates you've created or duplicated. These are displayed as cards in a grid (24 per page), and each card shows:
- A color-coded preview area based on the template's category
- A block count badge showing how many content blocks the template contains
- The template name
- A category badge
- The last updated date
Hover over any template card to see quick action buttons:
- Duplicate -- Creates a copy of the template with “(Copy)” appended to the name
- Delete -- Permanently removes the template (with a confirmation prompt)
Click a template card to open it in the editor.
Searching and Filtering
At the top of the page, you'll find:
- Search -- Type a name to quickly find a template
- Category filter -- Filter by one of the seven categories: General, Newsletter, Promotional, Transactional, Welcome, Announcement, or Event
If you have filters active, a Clear button appears to reset them.
Creating a New Template
Click the Create Template button in the top-right corner. You'll be taken to the template editor, where you'll need to provide:
- Template Name -- Give it a descriptive name so you can find it later (e.g., “Monthly Newsletter Layout” or “Product Launch Announcement”).
- Category -- Pick from one of the seven categories. This is purely for organization and filtering.
Then you can start building your template content using either the Block Editor or HTML Editor. The editor works exactly the same way as in campaign creation -- see the Email Editor guide for full details on using blocks, customizing settings, and more.
When you're happy with your template, click Save.
Editing a Template
Click any template card from the “Your Templates” section to open it in the editor. You can change:
- The template name
- The category
- All the content blocks (add, remove, reorder, edit settings)
Don't forget to click Save when you're done.
Previewing a Template
In the template editor, click the Preview button in the top bar. This compiles your blocks into a fully rendered, responsive email and shows it in a preview modal. It's a great way to check your layout before using the template in a campaign.
Duplicating a Template
You can duplicate any template -- both starter templates and your own:
- From the templates page: Hover over a card and click the duplicate icon.
- Starter templates: Click on the starter template card to create a copy automatically.
The duplicate will have the same name with “(Copy)” appended, along with the same category and content. You can then rename and customize it.
Using Templates in Campaigns
When creating a campaign, go to Step 3 (Content) and use the Load from Template dropdown. All your templates are listed there, including starter templates. Select one and its content blocks will be loaded into your campaign editor.
From there, you can customize the content for that specific campaign without affecting the original template.
Template Categories
Categories help you organize and filter your templates. Choose the one that best fits the purpose of the template:
| Category | Best For |
|---|---|
| General | Catch-all for templates that don't fit other categories |
| Newsletter | Regular newsletter sends, content roundups, updates |
| Promotional | Sales, discounts, special offers, product launches |
| Transactional | Order confirmations, receipts, shipping notifications |
| Welcome | Welcome emails for new subscribers |
| Announcement | Company news, feature releases, important updates |
| Event | Event invitations, webinar reminders, conference updates |
Tips
- Build a base template first -- Create a template with your logo, brand colors, and footer, then duplicate it as a starting point for each new campaign.
- Use starter templates for inspiration -- Even if you don't use them as-is, they're a great starting point to learn how blocks fit together.
- Keep templates focused -- A “Monthly Newsletter” template and a “Flash Sale” template will serve you better than one generic template you're always rewriting.