How do I customize template design elements and layouts with Produce?

Produce templates can be configured to give users the right level of creative freedom while still protecting important brand and layout rules.

When a stencil is created, different parts of the template can be fixed, restricted, or made editable depending on how users are expected to work with it. This can include text, images, page layouts, positioning, sizing, and the content options available to users.

The exact controls required should be discussed during the stencil workshop, so they can be included in the stencil specification before development.

Can text elements be locked?

Yes, text elements can be configured with different levels of control depending on what users should be allowed to change. For example:

• Completely locked so users cannot edit it at all
• Fixed in position and size, while still allowing users to edit the content or type their own
• Restricted formatting such as size, color, or alignment

Text fields can also be configured with predefined options rather than free text. For example, a heading could offer a dropdown containing a small selection of approved statements or campaign messages.

Can images be restricted or locked?

Yes, image elements can also be configured to control both where users can source images from and how those images behave within the layout. Depending on the stencil requirements, users could be allowed to choose images from:

• Specific Place archives
• Specific categories within a Place archive
• A selected group of pre-approved Document Images
• Their own uploaded images
• A combination of the above

Image elements can also be restricted so users cannot change properties such as the element's position, size, or placement within the layout.

What elements can be locked?

Most configurable elements or containers within a template can have restrictions applied to them. Like the above details on images and text, there are levels of restrictions available to provide the correct flexibility for the end users. 

Can pages be locked? 

Template admins can control which additional pages and page layouts are available to add to a document and, where required, restrict how those pages are used within the document.

For example, a brochure could provide users with several approved page designs to choose from while keeping the overall visual structure consistent.

How are these options configured?

The available controls are defined as part of the stencil specification.

During the stencil workshop, the project team will discuss how much flexibility users should have and which brand or layout rules need to remain protected. These requirements are then documented and implemented when the stencil is developed.