Objective:
In this How-To, we will learn about letter background image designs that include text and images in the letter design. We’ll focus on the following topics:
- The basics on how to start a letter design for Core iQ using a background image
- What design limitations to be aware of when creating your PSD/AI file
- Tips on saving and exporting your PSD/AI file
- How to add the background image design to a Core iQ letter template
How to start designing your letter using our handy print guides
Standard letterheads get the job done, but sometimes you want more. That’s where a letter background image design comes into play. By using your own fonts and images in the design, you can really make a letter pop.
The first thing you’ll need to do is download our letter print guide. If you already have it, then you’re ahead of the game.
- Illustrator Users: How to Create Letters/Postcards for Core iQ in Illustrator (Includes Print Guides)
- Photoshop Users: How to Create Letters/Postcards for Core iQ in Photoshop (Includes Print Guides)
We’ll be using the Illustrator print guide in this article, but Photoshop users don’t feel left out. The above links not only contain our downloadable print guides, they also feature a guide on how to create standard letters and postcards - which is what you’ll need to get started.
Once you have our letter print guide in hand, open it. You’ll want to start in the layer titled Letter Design. Then, insert any images and type your copy. Please feel free to add new layers as needed.
What limitations are there when designing a letter for Core iQ?
As you design your background image, the only limit is your imagination…and the following:
- Our letters are not full bleed, so please keep all elements within the green border/safe zone.
- Avoid putting text or images in the address area. Any text or images in this area will get covered up by a white square. We placed a black border around this square so it can be seen, but it will not have this black border in the actual print guide.
- Make sure to accommodate for the scanline and QR box towards the bottom left corner. Just like the address area, anything within the red areas will get covered up by a white square.
How to save and export your letter design
Let’s fast forward to our finished letter design example. On the left is our CD offer design. On the right is our design with our print guide overlaid on top for reference.
You’ll notice in our finished design that we kept all elements inside the green safe zone, accommodated for the address area square, and avoided the scanline and QR box area.
When you’re ready to save your design, we recommend saving it as a 300 ppi, RGB, JPEG image.
In Illustrator CC 2015, you may go to File > Export > Select JPEG from the Format box and select the Use Artboards option (which is just below the Format box). Then, click on Export. In the JPEG Options window, select:
- RGB from the Color Model box
- Quality 10 - Maximum
- High (300 PPI) in the Resolution box
In Photoshop CC 2015, you can check or change the resolution by going to Image > Image Size. You can change the color mode by going to Image > Mode > RGB Color. When you’re ready to save, go to File > Save As > Select JPEG from the Format box and click Save. In the JPEG Options window, select:
- 12 - Maximum from the Quality section
The final JPEG should be 2550 x 3300 pixels.
How to add your letter design as a background image
With your new JPEG image in hand, it’s time to add it to a new Design Your Own Core iQ letter template. Simply go to the Communications menu at the top, locate Communication Templates, go to the green Add New Template button, click on the green Design Your Own button, and select Simple Letter.
In your new template, start by giving the template a name in the Template Name box and selecting a category from the Communication Category box. Then, proceed to the Front tab, remove any copy in the editor, scroll down to the Background Image area, upload your 2550 x 3300 pixel letter design, and click on the Save and Preview button.
Now your template is ready to go. Assign it to your next automated communication schedule or report driven campaign.