> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://customix.gitbook.io/overview/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://customix.gitbook.io/overview/menu/templates.md).

# Templates

The **Templates** section is the heart of the Customix experience. This is where you design how your product can be personalized — from what customers can edit to how it appears in the live preview.

In short: **Templates define the personalization logic and visual setup** for each customizable product.

## 1. Creating a new template

To create a new template, select the "Add" or "Add from product base" buttons: 

<figure><img src="https://4235989069-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrihgZgEjEfk2NzCONWV0%2Fuploads%2FGQ7SGhVzGMTbrrsXVHDd%2FAdd%20template%20button%20.png?alt=media&amp;token=a81ff690-3a41-4776-83db-46bdb3c28ad0" alt=""><figcaption><p>"Add" and "Add from product base" button </p></figcaption></figure>

### "Add" button&#x20;

By clicking on this button, you can create a **new blank template**. Then you can manually set up the print file dimensions, and mockup configuration from scratch. This is best when you want to set up one design and clone to other products&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://4235989069-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrihgZgEjEfk2NzCONWV0%2Fuploads%2FHQb6O4cpvk12fLDGaXfs%2FAdd%20.png?alt=media&amp;token=919f6a07-3506-4ed9-af7d-71ed0ac02533" alt=""><figcaption><p>Set up print file size </p></figcaption></figure>

### "Add from product base" button

&#x20;With this button, you can create a new template **based on an existing** [**Product Base**](/overview/menu/product-bases.md). The **size and number of print files** are automatically generated using the data from that Product Base.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://4235989069-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrihgZgEjEfk2NzCONWV0%2Fuploads%2F8pbp4cQWbW2s14hPcSpP%2Fselect%20product.png?alt=media&amp;token=c928af29-149d-4d7a-b49b-b6d9d6973ad1" alt=""><figcaption><p>Select a product from Product Bases</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://4235989069-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrihgZgEjEfk2NzCONWV0%2Fuploads%2FxU8SdnrNaztM1CBFjsNX%2Fauto%20generated%20.png?alt=media&amp;token=7a90386f-9012-4199-9d61-8da51a0f9f43" alt=""><figcaption><p>The size and number of print file will be auto-generated </p></figcaption></figure>

## 2. What You Can Do in a Template

Each template in Customix is made up of **two main parts**: the **Print File** and the **Preview**.

### Print File&#x20;

This is where you build the **design canvas** and define how customers can personalize your product. You can:

* Add layers such as **text**, **image uploads**, and **clipart categories.**
* Set rules for customization: font choices, resizing, max characters, and more
* Design multiple print areas for products with more than one side or view (e.g. front and back)

This setup gets translated into the actual production file once an order is placed.

### Preview

In this step, you define how the final design appears on the product mockup. You can:

* Overlay your print file onto a product image (mockup)
* Adjust position, scale, and alignment for accurate real-time previews
* Use multiple preview angles (e.g. front, back, side) to enhance the customer experience
* **Add a mask** to your mockup to give the preview a more realistic, professional look — especially useful for curved or irregular surfaces like mugs, hats, or bottles

The Preview doesn’t affect the print file itself — it’s only for showing the customer a realistic, live rendering of their design.

*You’ll find more detailed explanations about* [*Print File*](#print-file) *setup and* [*Preview*](#preview) *configuration in their respective sections later in this help guide.*