--- title: Templates and design description: Layouts control how your newsletter looks — the structure, the header, the footer, where articles and images appear. This article covers how to work... --- [Skip to content](https://help.rasa.io/templates-and-design#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Need Help?](https://help.rasa.io/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [![new\_rasa\_io-mark.png\]](https://help.rasa.io/hs-fs/hubfs/new_rasa_io-mark.png?width=50&height=50&name=new_rasa_io-mark.png)](https://send.rasa.io) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Need Help?](https://help.rasa.io/kb-tickets/new) - Login to the send dashboard Login to the send dashboard How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [rasa.io Knowledge Base](https://help.rasa.io/?hsLang=en) 2. [Newsletters](https://help.rasa.io/newsletters?hsLang=en) # Templates and design ## Layouts control how your newsletter looks — the structure, the header, the footer, where articles and images appear. This article covers how to work... Layouts control how your newsletter looks — the structure, the header, the footer, where articles and images appear. This article covers how to work with them. ### Where layouts live Layouts are stored in one place: **Content → Layouts**. From there you can: - See all your available layouts - Preview them - Edit them - Build new ones - Upload custom HTML templates ### Assigning a layout to a newsletter Layouts are stored centrally, but they're **assigned per newsletter**. To assign or change the layout for a specific newsletter: 1. Go to **Messaging → \[Your Newsletter\] → Email tab** 2. In the **Template** card, click **Change** 3. Pick the layout you want — the currently published layout has a badge The change takes effect on the next send. ### Layout types You have three layout types to choose from in rasa.io: **1. Standard templates** Drag-and-drop modules with four pre-built options: - **Classic** - **Newspaper** - **Insights** - **Big and Bold** Recommended for most customers. Optimized for all email clients and easy to maintain — pick one, drop in your branding, and you're set. **2. Drag-and-drop builder** Build your own custom template using a visual editor. For clients who want more flexibility than the standard templates offer and are willing to spend more time building and maintaining the design. **3. Custom HTML templates** Fully custom layouts you (or your developer) build in HTML, using rasa.io's special tags to insert dynamic content. For clients with very specific brand design requirements and access to HTML expertise. See Custom HTML templates for details. ### Layouts are message-type-locked Each layout is built for a specific message type — newsletters, sequences, or blasts. A layout designed for a newsletter can't be used on a blast and vice versa. ### Editing a layout Click **Edit** on any layout to open it. You can: - Add or rearrange modules (Article, Banner, Square, Text/HTML, etc.) - Hide modules you don't want by clicking the eye icon - Update header logos and footer text - Adjust colors and styles When you save, you have two options: - **Save as the same copy** — updates the existing layout - **Save as a new copy** — creates a new version with a different name ### Layout modules A layout is built from modules. Common ones: - **Article** — populates with articles from your Content Pool - **Banner image** — wide image (recommended 600 × 150) - **Square image** — appears side-by-side (recommended 250 × 250) - **Text/HTML** — for static text or HTML you want everyone to see - **Header** and **Footer** — your branding and required compliance info Modules with no content will collapse and won't display in the sent email. ### Custom HTML templates If you want a fully custom design, you can upload HTML directly via **Content → Layouts**. Custom HTML templates use special rasa.io tags (like ``) to insert dynamic content. The available tag modules are listed in **Settings → Custom Email Templates** for reference and easy copying. ⚠️ Don't remove `data-rasa-*` attributes from your custom HTML unless you know exactly what they do — they're how rasa.io inserts personalized content at send time. If you need help building a custom template, we partner with [MailBakery](https://mailbakery.com/rasa-email-templates/). You can also reach out to [support@rasa.io](mailto:support@rasa.io) for guidance. ### Image guidelines (standard templates) - **Banner images** — 600 × 150 pixels recommended - **Square images** — 250 × 250 pixels recommended - File formats: PNG, JPG, GIF (animated GIFs work but increase email size) ### Best practices - **Preview every send** before going live (use the Email Preview) - **Keep emails under 102KB** when possible — Gmail clips at that point - **Test on multiple devices** — what looks great on desktop may not on mobile - **Don't strip rasa attributes** in custom HTML ### What's next - Adding your own text, images, or advertisements — how to use scheduled content - Custom HTML Templates — deeper guide for the developer audience - Sending test emails and previewing — review before you send - [Getting Started](https://help.rasa.io/getting-started?hsLang=en) - [Newsletters](https://help.rasa.io/newsletters?hsLang=en) - [Sequences & Blasts](https://help.rasa.io/sequences-blasts?hsLang=en) - [Contacts & Subscribers](https://help.rasa.io/contacts-subscribers?hsLang=en) - [Analytics & Reporting](https://help.rasa.io/analytics-reporting?hsLang=en) - [Deliverability & Compliance](https://help.rasa.io/deliverability-compliance?hsLang=en) - [Account & Billing](https://help.rasa.io/account-billing?hsLang=en) - [Troubleshooting](https://help.rasa.io/troubleshooting?hsLang=en) - [Security & Privacy](https://help.rasa.io/security-privacy?hsLang=en) [![new\_rasa\_io-logo-1](https://help.rasa.io/hs-fs/hubfs/new_rasa_io-logo-1.png?width=120&height=26&name=new_rasa_io-logo-1.png "new_rasa_io-logo-1")](https://rasa.io) rasa.io Knowledge Base Copyright © 2026, rasa.io