Brand Templates

Overview

Brand Templates in Marq serve as pre-designed, customizable layouts that help ensure brand consistency across your organization. They are specifically designed to align with your company's brand guidelines, including colors, fonts, logos, and other visual elements. With Brand Templates, you can empower your team or clients to create on-brand materials quickly and efficiently while maintaining a cohesive look and feel across all content.

This guide covers both the conceptual framework of Brand Templates and the technical implementation using Marq's APIs.

What Are Brand Templates?

Brand Templates are more than just design assets—they're a system for maintaining brand integrity at scale. Think of them as intelligent design containers that:

Preserve brand standards through locked elements and controlled customization
Accelerate content creation by providing pre-built, approved layouts
Scale brand consistency across teams, departments, and geographic locations
Enable creative flexibility within defined brand boundaries

Key Benefits of Brand Templates

Brand Consistency

By locking specific elements within a template, you ensure that users adhere to brand standards, preserving the look and feel of your brand across all documents. This is particularly valuable for organizations with distributed teams or franchises.

Efficiency

Templates streamline the content creation process, enabling users to start with a ready-made structure and focus on customization rather than building from scratch. This can reduce design time by up to 80%.

Control

Template creators can set specific permissions, restricting certain changes to core brand elements while allowing flexibility in other areas. This balance maintains brand integrity while enabling personalization.

Scalability

Once set up, Brand Templates allow teams of any size to create on-brand content without requiring extensive oversight, which is essential for organizations with distributed teams or large content needs.

Core Components of Brand Templates

Marq's Brand Templates are structured to provide flexibility for the end-user while safeguarding key brand elements:

Locked and Editable Elements

Template creators can lock specific design elements (such as logos, fonts, or colors) to prevent changes, ensuring brand consistency. Other elements may be left editable to allow customization as needed.

Brand Assets

Include logos, images, and icons specific to your brand within the template. These assets are typically locked or controlled to maintain brand identity across content.

Smart Fields (Dynamic Placeholders)

Smart fields are dynamic placeholders that can be populated with data automatically or by users. They enable mass customization while maintaining design integrity.

Preset Layouts and Styles

Common layouts for various types of documents—such as reports, presentations, and social media posts—are available as starting points to help streamline content creation.

Brand-Specific Fonts and Colors

Use brand-approved fonts and colors to maintain visual consistency. You can lock these so that all text aligns with brand guidelines.

Understanding the Template System Architecture

Marq's template system follows a hierarchical structure that enables organized content management:

Templates: Individual design assets (flyers, brochures, business cards, etc.)
Template Categories: High-level groupings (e.g., "Marketing Materials", "Sales Collateral")
Category Values: Specific subcategories within each category (e.g., "Flyers", "Brochures")
Smart Fields: Dynamic placeholders that can be populated with data

Working with Templates via API

List All Templates

Retrieve all templates accessible to a user:

GET https://api.marq.com/v1/templates?userId=164252231

Query Parameters:

userId: Filter templates by specific user (required for account-level access)
categoryValueId: Filter templates by category value
search: Search templates by name or description

Example Response:

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "id": "8a34bfbb-15e6-4243-a25e-cc43f9811dd2",
      "name": "Property Listing Flyer",
      "description": "Professional real estate listing template",
      "categoryValueId": 26683,
      "thumbnailUrl": "https://cdn.marq.com/thumbnails/template-123.jpg",
      "createdAt": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z",
      "updatedAt": "2024-07-05T14:20:00Z",
      "createdByUserId": 164252231,
      "isPublic": true,
      "smartFieldCount": 12
    }
  ],
  "totalCount": 1,
  "hasMore": false
}

Get Template Smart Fields

Retrieve all dynamic fields (placeholders) within a template:

GET https://api.marq.com/v1/templates/8a34bfbb-15e6-4243-a25e-cc43f9811dd2/smartfields

Example Response:

{
  "smartFields": [
    {
      "name": "property_address",
      "displayName": "Property Address",
      "dataType": "text",
      "isRequired": true,
      "defaultValue": "",
      "description": "Full street address of the property"
    },
    {
      "name": "listing_price",
      "displayName": "Listing Price",
      "dataType": "currency",
      "isRequired": true,
      "defaultValue": "$0",
      "description": "Current listing price"
    },
    {
      "name": "property_image",
      "displayName": "Property Photo",
      "dataType": "image",
      "isRequired": false,
      "defaultValue": "",
      "description": "Main property photograph"
    }
  ]
}

Smart Field Data Types:

text: Plain text content
currency: Monetary values with formatting
image: Image URLs or uploads
date: Date values
number: Numeric values
boolean: True/false values

Template Categories Management

List All Template Categories

Retrieve all category groups in your account:

GET https://api.marq.com/v1/template-categories

Filter by Name:

GET https://api.marq.com/v1/template-categories?name=Marketing Materials

Create a Template Category

Create a new category group:

POST https://api.marq.com/v1/template-categories
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "Event Materials",
  "order": 3
}

Update Template Category

Modify an existing category:

PATCH https://api.marq.com/v1/template-categories/6191
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "Marketing & Advertising",
  "order": 1
}

Delete Template Category

Remove a category:

DELETE https://api.marq.com/v1/template-categories/6193

Category Values Management

Category values are the specific subcategories within each template category.

List Category Values

Get all values for a specific category:

GET https://api.marq.com/v1/template-categories/6191/values

Create Category Value

Add a new subcategory to an existing category:

POST https://api.marq.com/v1/template-categories/6191/values
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "Email Templates",
  "order": 4
}

Update Category Value

Modify an existing category value:

PATCH https://api.marq.com/v1/template-categories/6191/values/26683
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "Marketing Flyers",
  "order": 1
}

How to Create a Brand Template

If you're setting up a Brand Template within Marq, here's a comprehensive overview:

Step 1: Start with a Foundation

Begin by creating a new document in Marq or duplicating an existing template that aligns with your brand needs. Consider the template's purpose and target audience.

Step 2: Add Brand Elements

Include essential brand assets like logos, brand colors, and fonts. These elements can be added from your asset library or uploaded directly. Ensure all assets meet your brand guidelines.

Step 3: Define Smart Fields

Create dynamic placeholders for content that will change between projects:

{
  "smartFields": [
    {
      "name": "company_name",
      "displayName": "Company Name",
      "dataType": "text",
      "isRequired": true,
      "description": "Name of the company or organization"
    },
    {
      "name": "logo_image",
      "displayName": "Company Logo",
      "dataType": "image",
      "isRequired": false,
      "description": "Company logo or brand mark"
    }
  ]
}

Step 4: Define Editable and Locked Areas

Use Marq's locking feature to control which parts of the template can be edited by end-users. For instance, you might lock the header and footer sections to ensure consistent branding while leaving the body text and images editable.

Step 5: Set Permissions

Determine who can edit the template itself and who can only create new documents from it. This control helps prevent unauthorized changes to brand elements.

Step 6: Organize with Categories

Assign your template to appropriate categories for better organization:

POST https://api.marq.com/v1/projects
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "templateId": "8a34bfbb-15e6-4243-a25e-cc43f9811dd2",
  "categoryValueId": 26683,
  "creatorId": 164252231,
  "title": "Branded Marketing Flyer"
}

Step 7: Save and Share

Once the template is ready, save it in your Brand Templates library. Share it with your team or organization as needed, giving them access to create on-brand materials directly from the template.

Creating Projects from Templates

Using Templates with Projects API

Create a project from a template with smart field population:

POST https://api.marq.com/v1/projects
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "templateId": "8a34bfbb-15e6-4243-a25e-cc43f9811dd2",
  "creatorId": 164252231,
  "title": "Q3 Marketing Campaign",
  "projectSmartFields": [
    {
      "name": "campaign_title",
      "value": "Summer Sale 2024"
    },
    {
      "name": "campaign_image",
      "value": "https://images.example.com/summer-sale.jpg",
      "dataType": "image"
    },
    {
      "name": "discount_percentage",
      "value": "25%"
    }
  ]
}

Template Deep Links

Create direct links to templates for easy access:

https://app.marq.com/documents/editNew/8a34bfbb-15e6-4243-a25e-cc43f9811dd2?custom_document_smart_field_campaign_title=Summer%20Sale&title=Custom%20Project%20Name

URL Parameters:

custom_document_smart_field_<field_name>: Pre-populate smart fields
title: Set custom project name
dataSetId: Apply data from data automation
key & value: Filter data by specific criteria

Editing and Managing Brand Templates

Managing Brand Templates in Marq is straightforward, with options to update, duplicate, and delete templates as needed:

Editing a Template

If you need to update a template to reflect new brand guidelines or refresh its design, simply edit the original template and save the changes. All users will see the updated version when they access it.

Duplicating a Template

Create variations by duplicating a template and making adjustments. This is particularly useful for seasonal campaigns or targeted marketing materials.

Deleting a Template

Remove outdated or unnecessary templates to keep your library organized and easy to navigate.

Template Organization Best Practices

Recommended Category Structure

Marketing Teams

Marketing Materials
├── Flyers
├── Brochures
├── Social Media Posts
├── Email Templates
└── Presentations

Brand Assets
├── Logos
├── Color Palettes
├── Typography
└── Brand Guidelines

Sales Teams

Sales Collateral
├── Proposals
├── Case Studies
├── Product Sheets
└── Presentations

Business Cards
├── Standard Cards
├── Executive Cards
└── Specialty Cards

Real Estate

Property Marketing
├── Listing Flyers
├── Brochures
├── Postcards
└── Social Media

Agent Materials
├── Business Cards
├── Letterheads
├── Email Signatures
└── Presentations

Category Naming Conventions

Use clear, descriptive names: "Marketing Materials" instead of "Marketing"
Maintain consistency: Use similar naming patterns across categories
Consider user perspective: Name categories as users would search for them
Avoid abbreviations: Use full words for better searchability
Group logically: Organize by department, purpose, or content type

Common Use Cases for Brand Templates

Marketing Collateral

Design templates for social media graphics, email headers, and ads that keep branding consistent across marketing channels.

Sales Presentations

Create standardized templates for sales decks to ensure every presentation aligns with your brand's professional look and tone.

Internal Documentation

Set up templates for reports, project updates, and internal memos, promoting a uniform brand style across internal communication.

Event Materials

For conferences and events, create templates for banners, name tags, and other print materials, making it easy to produce on-brand materials at scale.

Real Estate Marketing

Create property listing templates that maintain brand consistency while allowing customization for specific properties and agents.

Best Practices for Using Brand Templates

Update Regularly

As your brand evolves, revisit your templates to ensure they still reflect current brand standards. Set up a quarterly review process.

Leverage Locking Features

Carefully choose which elements to lock to strike the right balance between brand control and user flexibility. Consider creating templates with different levels of editorial control.

Provide Usage Guidelines

Include notes or guidelines within the template itself or as separate documentation to guide users on proper use. This helps maintain quality and reduces support requests.

Monitor Usage

Check how templates are being used and gather feedback from users to improve template design and usability over time. Use analytics to identify popular templates and areas for improvement.

Test Across Devices

Ensure your templates work well across different devices and screen sizes, especially for digital templates.

Advanced Template Features

Template Inheritance

Templates can inherit smart fields from parent templates, enabling sophisticated template hierarchies.

Conditional Content

Use smart fields to show or hide content based on user selections or data values.

Multi-Language Support

Create templates that can be easily adapted for different languages and regions.

Integration with Data Automation

Connect templates to data sources for automatic content population:

POST https://api.marq.com/v1/projects
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "templateId": "8a34bfbb-15e6-4243-a25e-cc43f9811dd2",
  "creatorId": 164252231,
  "dataSmartFields": [
    {
      "strict": false,
      "dataSetName": "Product Catalog",
      "primaryKey": "PROD-12345"
    }
  ]
}

Using Marq APIs with Brand Templates

For developers looking to automate or integrate Brand Templates within their applications, Marq offers several APIs:

Template Management APIs

List Templates: Retrieve templates for programmatic access
Get Template Details: Access template metadata and smart fields
Template Smart Fields: Understand available customization options

Category Management APIs

List Categories: Organize templates systematically
Create/Update Categories: Manage template organization
Category Values: Handle subcategory management

Project Creation APIs

Create Projects: Generate content from templates
Smart Field Population: Automate content customization
Data Integration: Connect templates with external data sources

Webhook Integration

Template Created: Receive notifications when templates are created
Template Updated: Stay informed about template changes
Project Created: Track template usage and adoption

Error Handling

Common Error Responses

Template Not Found (404):

{
  "error": "Template not found",
  "code": "TEMPLATE_NOT_FOUND",
  "message": "The specified template does not exist or you don't have access to it."
}

Invalid Smart Field (400):

{
  "error": "Invalid smart field",
  "code": "INVALID_SMART_FIELD",
  "message": "The smart field 'campaign_title' does not exist in this template."
}

Permission Denied (403):

{
  "error": "Permission denied",
  "code": "PERMISSION_DENIED",
  "message": "You don't have permission to access this template."
}

Integration Examples

Automated Template Creation

// Create template with smart fields
async function createBrandTemplate(templateData) {
  const template = await createTemplate(templateData);
  
  // Add smart fields
  await addSmartFields(template.id, templateData.smartFields);
  
  // Organize in categories
  await assignToCategory(template.id, templateData.categoryValueId);
  
  return template;
}

Template Usage Analytics

// Track template performance
async function trackTemplateUsage(templateId) {
  const usage = await getTemplateAnalytics(templateId);
  
  return {
    totalProjects: usage.projectCount,
    lastUsed: usage.lastUsedAt,
    popularSmartFields: usage.smartFieldUsage
  };
}

Notes

Template names should be descriptive and searchable
Smart field names are case-sensitive and should use consistent naming conventions
Category order determines display sequence in the UI
Template thumbnails are automatically generated
Locked elements cannot be modified by end users
Templates can be shared across accounts with proper permissions

Helpful Links

What is a Brand Template?: Understand the purpose and advantages of Brand Templates
Intro to Brand Templating: Get a comprehensive introduction to Marq's brand templating tools
Creating and Editing Templates: Learn how to set up and modify templates in Marq
Defining Templates in Marq: Get a deeper dive into template configuration