Template Guidelines:
Templates can be either plain text or HTML. For HTML templates, ensure they are HTML5 compliant as they will be rendered by various email clients with different capabilities.
Email Client Limitations:
Email clients have strict limitations. Avoid style blocks - use inline CSS only. Stick to web-safe fonts (Arial, Times, Courier). Avoid colours as clients may invert them in dark mode. Keep layouts simple with tables for structure.
Images:
Images must be embedded as base64 data URIs (data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAA...) rather than external links. Keep images under 5KB for Outlook compatibility. Larger images may not display.
Variables:
Use variables in the format {{type:Description}} where type can be:
- text: Single line text input (e.g., {{text:Full Name}})
- email: Email address with validation (e.g., {{email:Email Address}})
- tel: Phone number (e.g., {{tel:Phone Number}})
- link: Website URL (e.g., {{link:Website URL}})
- textarea: Multi-line text (e.g., {{textarea:Address}})
- disclaimer Provides a dropdown for a selection of disclaimers
Use descriptive names for variables to make them clear to users filling them out.
Testing:
Test signatures in multiple email clients: Thunderbird, Canary, Mailspring, Apple Mail, and Outlook. Use the validate button to check HTML compliance via W3C validator.
Professional Design:
For complex designs, consider having a design agency create your template. They can supply a template with placeholder variables that GEN can help integrate. Contact us if you need assistance with custom template implementation.