How to Use Branded Templates
Once you have chosen to use a template, it will open in a new workspace where you can edit certain content blocks like text, and images.
Some elements will be locked and cannot be changed. This is done in order to maintain brand integrity and ensure consistent design across all materials.
All changes in Express are automatically saved. If you exit out of Adobe Express and need to come back to continue working on a template, go to “Your Stuff.” All your saved work will be under “Files.”
The information below is also available in a downloadable PDF.
Accessing Templates
From the Projects Folder:
- In Adobe Express, click on “Your Stuff” in the left-hand navigation.
- At the top below the “Your Stuff” header, click on “Projects”
- Locate the folder titled “SSU Templates”
- Select the folder with the type of template you would like to use.
- Click on the thumbnail for the template you want to use Click on the purple “Use template” button in the bottom right corner of the pop-up window. You will now have access to a working copy of the template.
From the Templates Webpage:
- Click on the link for the template you want to use. There are two versions of each template available, in a dark and light background. The link will open Adobe Express.
- Click on the purple “Use template” button in the bottom right corner of the pop-up window. You will now have access to a working copy of the template.
Making Changes to Templates
Updating Text
Option 1:
- Quick Replace: the quick replace panel will appear on the left-hand side of your workspace when you first duplicate a chosen template. It can also be opened by clicking on the quick replace button.
- Select the text you would like to edit in the Quick Replace panel. This will highlight the text in the document, where you can type to edit.
- Click on other text boxes in quick replace to edit other text.
Option 2:
- Click on a placeholder image in your document.
- The “Locked Image” panel will appear on the left-hand side Click on the purple “Replace Image” button Select from “Replace with upload,” “Brands,” or “Libraries” Once the image is placed in the template, double-click on the image to resize (hold a corner circle and drag). Click on the image and drag it around to reposition To rotate, click and drag on the purple circle with the arrow located towards the bottom of the image
Inserting Photos
- Click on a placeholder image in your document.
- The “Locked Image” panel will appear on the left-hand side.
- Click on the purple “Replace Image” button.
- Select from “Replace with upload,” “Brands,” or “Libraries”.
- Once the image is placed in the template, double-click on the image to resize (hold a corner circle and drag).
- Click on the image and drag it around to reposition.
- To rotate, click and drag on the purple circle with the arrow located towards the bottom of the image.
Brand Toolkits and Updating Logo
Brand toolkits will be developed in Adobe Express for respective colleges, departments, and divisions. These toolkits will include logo lockups, brand-approved color palettes, and fonts to ensure that all materials created are consistent with the university’s visual identity. Brand elements are accessible from the left navigation panel under “Brands.”
Replacing the logo:
The Sonoma State University logo is present in all branded templates. If you would like to use your specific logo lockup in its place, follow the steps listed below:
Start by clicking on the SSU logo in the template.
- Select “Replace” from the options window above or below the image.
- Select “Brands.” If you have not received a brand toolkit, select “Replace with upload” to upload from your computer.
- Brands will show up on the left-hand side of the workspace.
- Select your Brand toolkit with your title (e.g., School of Business).
- Click on the logo from the “Logos” section that you would like to use. The placeholder SSU logo will now be replaced with your selected logo.
You may need to adjust the frame and reposition your logo.
- Double-click on the updated logo.
- Resize: You can resize imported images by moving the circles in each of the four corners. The dash in the center of each side allows you to crop starting from that side.
- Reposition: You can reposition images by clicking on them, holding the left mouse button down, and moving the mouse to reposition them in the project. Make sure to leave enough margin around the edges of your logo. Do not position it too close to the sides of your template.
Requesting Approval
All template edits must be approved by creative services before you are able to download a final file.
Three rounds of adjustments will be allowed before you are required to put in a project request with Marketing and Communications.
- Once your updates/edits are complete, select “Request approval” in the top right corner.
- After submitting for approval, you may either receive an email stating that your document has been approved or that it needs work.
If you receive a “Needs Work” email
- Click on the “Review in Adobe Express” button.
- Once in Adobe Express, on the right-hand side, you will find notes on changes that need to be made.
- After completing those changes, click the “Resubmit” button in the bottom right corner.
If you receive an “Approved” email
- Click on the “Review in Adobe Express” button.
- Click on “Download” from the upper right-hand corner.
- Select the desired file format and click download.
Exporting Final Files, Recommended Formats
Print: PDF Standard or PDF print. If you require bleeds select “PDF Print” from the download options. Turn on “Crop Marks” and “Show Bleeds” before downloading.
Social Media: PNG or JPEG.
Presentations: Play directly from Adobe Express by clicking on the “Present” button located in the top-right next to the purple “Share” button. You can also download a PowerPoint file using the download icon to the left of the “Present” button and select .pptx under “File format.”