Printables are one of the best and quickest ways to help grow your blog. You can use them to grow your email list, sell them online and even turn them into tangible products that people will actually buy from you! Your options for them are endless and your imagination is the only limit. This leaves the doors wide open for you to turn just about any idea into a printable your viewers will eat up.

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This brings me to my next point. PLEASE don’t let it scare you off.

I Can’t Teach You How to Design a Printable.

HOLD UP!!!

Before you tap that little “x” in the top right corner…let met explain something. Although I can’t provide you the perfect step-by-step tutorial for how to create a printable that is specific to you, I will teach you all of my best professional graphic design tips to help you craft a printable that will make you feel and look like you know exactly what you are doing. The best part? You can apply these tips to just about EVERY printable you create from here on out. And that’s the best kind of knowledge to have.

So let’s jump into my version of how to design a printable. Rather, specific design guidelines you should follow if you want to end up with something your readers will: a. hand over their email address for. Or, b. Enter in those magical 16 digits that will make your bank account grow.

In this article, I’m going to assume that you’ve already decided on the specific type of printable you are going to create. If not, go do that. How do you want to help your viewers? Do you have certain content on your blog that resonates more than others? What can you create as a “bonus” to this content? Printables come in many forms: checklists, worksheets, step-by-step guides, planners, calendars, schedules, trackers and even less traditional things like birthday invitations, motivational quotes, decor, and so much more. Your creativity is the only limit!

How to Design a Printable: Design Tips for Non-Designers

Plan It Out

If it’s one thing you take away when it comes to how to design a printable, let it be this. Plan your design out before you get started! This is an important step that most will just look past. I know you’re anxious to start designing your perfect printable, but take a step back and think about its purpose first. Jot down everything that needs to be included and how you wish your viewers to use it. Consider how you would use the printable. Determine the sections of your printable. Figure out what goes together and what isn’t really related. In the world of design, this is called Proximity. This principle is SO important that I even dedicated an entire lesson in my signature course, The Blogger’s Design Primer.

Avoid Basic Graphic Design Mistakes

Even if you’re not a designer, that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to follow some basic graphic design principles. Learning some basic skills can go a very long way in the professionalism of your Pinterest pin design. You don’t need to have years of design experience or extensive knowledge of design theory to design a printable that looks professional.

I’ve created a free design mini-course that will teach you ten easy to implement design tips that will take your pins to a new level of design. Enroll in the course and start designing better pins that will improve your Pinterest strategy right away!

Use The Right File Type

When it comes to how to design a printable, make sure you are creating your file in the right format and ideal resolution for use. If it is a printable that is intended to be printed, (as most are) the best file type for output is a .pdf. You’ll also want to create your file at a minimum of 300 dpi. (dots per inch in design lingo) Dpi is the resolution of your document. The higher the dpi, or resolution, the better quality your printable will print. If your file is meant to be used digitally, a .pdf at 72 dpi will do. This will result in a lower quality file, but that is okay since most often computer monitors don’t display over 72 dpi. there are a handful of different file types, but do you know what each of them are specifically for?

Keep it Organized

The purpose of creating this printable is most likely to make someone’s life simpler. Therefore, your printable needs to be as organized as can be. A lot of the organization will form in the planning phase of creating your printable. Even so, always keep organization in the forefront of your mind as you’re designing. There is nothing worse than a printable that is more irritating because it doesn’t make sense to the user.

Make Sure it is Readable

With 1000’s of fonts to choose from, it’s easy to get carried away and want to choose the fanciest fonts when learning how to design a printable. Don’t do this! Stick to readable fonts. Make sure they are sized appropriately so the user can easily read and digest them. Stick to your brand fonts if you’ve got some. If not, the safest is to choose a basic sans serif font to work with. If you are using any display fonts or script fonts, use them sparingly. Using them as the title of your printable will be fine but don’t use them much throughout.

Keep it Simple

When you are a beginner designer, it’s hard to design simple. There is a tendency to feel like things aren’t “designed enough”. But, the key to design is not to make things look over-designed. They need to look intentional and purposeful. This usually means keeping it simple. Make sure all of your design decisions have a reason and don’t just use elements for the sake of using them. This creates unnecessary clutter that most designs don’t need.

Don’t Forget About White Space

You don’t need to fill up your entire page with stuff! Make sure all parts of your design have a bit of breathing room as to not overwhelm the user. Keep all elements at least 1/4 inch from the edge of your document. This is also helpful for those printing your files since most home printers don’t print to the edge of the paper. White space will help your printable be clear and more organized if you use it right. Oh, and white space doesn’t have to be white! It can be any space where there is no visual element.

Consider Visual Hierarchy

Hierarchy helps people see the most important stuff first within a design, so you’ll want to make sure you use it to help your viewers understand your printable as you intend it. This might mean making the title of the thing much larger and possibly in a different font than the contents, drawing attention to the directions or another important part of your printable. Consider what you want the user to see first, second and third when using your printable. This all ties into the planning and general flow of your design.

Infuse Your Brand

If you have brand colors, fonts, and styles, by all means, use them! Your brand is your vehicle for being noticed, becoming recognized and standing out online so take advantage of it. If you don’t have a brand, I recommend starting to think about how you want to represent yourself in the online space. I love this comprehensive article about how to brand your blog. It’s the most comprehensive article I have come across.

Add your URL and Blog Name

Don’t forget this important detail! Always put your blog or business name and URL at the very bottom of your document. This way, nobody can run off with your printable and think they are going to use it as their own without spending a little bit of time removing your information. It’s also helpful in the event that someone downloads something from you and wants more of what you offer down the road. They won’t have to go on a hunt to find you if your information is at the bottom of your printable.

So there you have it, some basic rules to follow if you’re wondering how to design a printable for your blog or business. As i stated before, there are so many different printables you could create for lots of different niches and needs. If you need some inspiration, you can always check on Pinterest, Etsy or Creative Market. Ask your audience what they want! If you’re still stuck, I share my tips on knowing exactly where to start with any design in this post. 

Upload it for Use

Once you have your completed file exported and ready for use, it’s time to upload it to your website so your users can download/buy it! I simply just upload it to my WP media library and then directly link to it when I want to make it available for download. Once you have multiple printables, you may want to consider creating a resource library that has all of your freebies in an easy-to-access place. My friend Kimi, has a  free course that will get your resource library up and running on your own blog or website.

Promote it!

Now it’s time to get your printable in front of your audience! There are many ways to do this, but my favorites ways to promote are:

1. In Facebook groups, (here’s an extensive guide to the best Facebook groups you can promote your stuff in.)
   To your email list
2. Adding it to relevant places around you website like blog posts and your sidebar
3. Creating multiple Pinterest pins and promoting in on Pinterest!

If you want to go all out, you can quickly throw together a landing page that will result in even more conversions! I promise you, building a quick landing page is not hard if you have the right tools!:)

Now, its time to sit back, and watch the email subscribers (or money!) roll in.

How to Collect Those Email Addresses and Deliver Finished Product

Depending on the mail service provider you are using, they probably offer some kind of basic opt-in form. I use Convertkit for all of my email needs and I love everything about their software… Although I love them as an email service provider, I feel very limited when it comes to the opt-in forms and landing pages they offer. I could never create anything that fit my expectations. I wanted a software that gave me LOTS of options and was created specifically for collecting email addresses in a beautiful and functional way. Enter Thrive Leads. If you want ENDLESS custom options for collecting those precious email addresses, look no further.

Thrive also has a landing page builder, Thrive Architect that will allow you to create ANY kind of page for your website, including high converting landing pages for your new sparkly printables. I love that it is a one time charge instead of something monthly, too. These two plugins combined have empowered me to grow my blog unlike any other tool in my arsenal.

P.S Don’t forget to enroll in my free design mini-course where you’ll learn ten tips for designing better Pinterest pins, blog graphics and any other visual content you create for your blog. Learning the basics of design is a skill you can apply to just about everything you create for your blog or biz!

I can’t wait to see what you create!

The post How to Design a Printable for Your Blog appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.

Lucky for you, I know an excellent opt-in template design when I see one! I’ve scoured all of my favorite design resources and hand-picked only the BEST opt-in templates to feature in this epic round-up of the best opt-in templates available.

Finding the Perfect Opt-in Templates

Here are 12 opt-in templates you can use to create that killer opt-in you know you need to put your blog’s growth into overdrive. There’s actually many more than 12. Some include 6 or more templates! Score!

All of these opt-in templates will work in the most popular design software like Canva and InDesign. And, the real beauty of an opt-in template is that it can be modified to fit your specific branding! Find the one that works best for your content and then switch out fonts, colors, and images to make it entirely yours. Nobody will ever know, I promise!

Even if you use a template, it’s always a good idea to improve your own graphic design skills before you get to designing. Enroll in my free graphic design mini-course where you’ll learn 10 actionable tips that you just might need to apply to the opt-in you’re about to create.

Opt-in Freebie Template Pack – Color Pop Collection

Create stunning and professional Opt-in Freebies, Content Upgrades, Lead Magnets, eBooks, Checklists, Worksheets etc… that are branded to fit your needs with the click of a mouse in minutes with these fantastic templates. These are fully editable and come with both Canva and InDesign templates. They even include customizable sidebar and opt-in graphics! Buy Here.

Ebook Creation Toolkit 

This eBook Creation Toolkit will help you develop & design your own e-book or guide for your business with ease. I love this simple cover and bold headings throughout the template. All nine pages are fully editable in a variety of programs including Word and InDesign. Just add your logo and customize it with a bit of your branding and you’re ready to hit the ground running. Buy the InDesign template here. Buy the Word template here.

The Ultimate Set of Lead Magnet Templates

I am in LOVE with what Maya over at blogbrandhustle.com is up to! She has created a kick-ass set of templates that will make growing your email list EASY. This bundle offers six gorgeous and ready-made templates that are fully customizable. Make them all yours with your own colors, fonts, and branding. She even includes short tutorial videos to help you along the way. Even better? Also included a helpful lead magnet guide, a challenge, and even a mini-course to help you create the best opt-in freebie ever. Buy it here.

The Opt-In Toolbox

If you are looking for sleek and professional-looking opt-in templates, look no further. Vanessa knows exactly what you’re looking for, and precisely where you’re struggling when it comes to your opt-in freebie. Editable in Adobe and Canva, this toolbox includes 30 professionally designed templates to mix & match: a 10 page eBook, 10-page Workbook, five quick Opt-in Pages and 5 Planner & Calendar templates. She also throws in some free stock photos, patterns, and icons to make sure you create the best opt-in you possibly can. Buy it here. (The image below doesn’t do this toolbox justice, see for yourself!)

Turquoise Opt-In Freebie Templates

If turquoise is your jam – this template is for you! But you can change the turquoise to any color if you need. Create a stunning and professional Opt-in Freebie, Content Upgrade or Lead Magnet with the click of a mouse in minutes with these lovely templates. Also included are opt-in graphics and sidebar graphics to help make this opt-in a success. Buy here.

Lead Magnet Bundle

I love the simplicity of this opt-in template! It’s clean and modern and will look even better as soon as you add your own branding to it. This kit contains one 6-page workbook and 12 single-page docs, so you’re guaranteed to get some great ideas, and gorgeous pieces of content, to share or sell within minutes. Buy it here.

Lead Magnet Toolkit Bundle

Another classy and functional opt-in template to bring your opt-in to life without sacrificing hours on designing it. I love the polished look of this, and it’s super easy to edit the fonts, colors, graphics and even tweak the layout to fit your needs. You get a 9-page ebook template, 5-page workbook template, 5-page checklist template, 4 Pinterest optimized blog headers, side-bar opt-in template and MORE. Buy it here.

Boxy Workbook & Layout Template

Boxy is subtle and clean, and it is perfect for your next workbook or course. It includes all of the elements you need to make a fantastic workbook including text, table elements, image placement, note pages, free fonts and more. Any part of the template can be changed to fit your brand such as the fonts, colors, and icons. Buy it here.

Girlboss Sheets

This is an eye-catching set of templates for your planner or a standalone workbook that you can deliver to your visitors or share with your Facebook group! Use it as a: lead magnet or content upgrade that will help boost any online sales funnel. This is a fully-editable InDesign Template that will allow you to edit the styles, text, layout and other features to make it your own. Buy it here.

Minimal eBook Template

If minimalism is your thing, this opt-in template is for you. This stylized yet straightforward template contains 16 different page layouts, so It is 16 pages making it easy to create a dynamic opt-in. All pages are editable in Adobe InDesign and Illustrator. Buy it here.

10-page eBook Template

I can’t get enough of this eye-catching design!  This design allows you to plug and play, which means you can modify this design (change the text, colors & images) to suit your brand with minimal fuss. It is Effortless to customize and adjust the pages to fit your specific needs. Buy it here.

Ladyprenuer Workbook

This workbook template pack gives you the flexibility to mix and match pages to be sure that you can create just about any opt-in you can ever dream of. This Workbook or Content Upgrade Template (includes ten pages) will have your subscribers and customers coming back for more, again and again! Use this template to create your own ebooks, workbooks for courses and workshops and all your opt-in, content upgrades and freebies. Buy it here.

What are you waiting for? It’s time to bring your opt-in to life and get to designing. It will be a breeze when you use one of these pre-designed opt-in templates created by professional designers.

Congratulations! You now have a completed opt-in freebie that’s ready to be integrated into your website.

The best file type to save your opt-in freebie is a simple .pdf. They are recognized by almost all computers and are a versatile file that views good both on a computer monitor or printed. If you ever think someone will print your freebie, you’ll want to save it at the highest resolution possible, usually 300 dpi. Upload your file to the media library in WordPress and connect it to your email service provider. Stick around for an article where I’ll teach you how to implement and deliver your opt-in freebie the easiest way possible!

For a conversion-focused approach to collecting those precious leads, I use and recommend Thrive Leads. It offers the most robust platform I have ever seen for collecting leads in a variety of ways. Thrive Leads integrates seamlessly with ConvertKit and just about every other email service provider in just a few clicks.

I can’t wait to see what you create! Share a link to your finished opt-in in the comments so we can see your beautiful work.

P.S. While many of these templates are editable in Canva, some of them require Adobe InDesign. You can sign up for a free 30-day trial here.

The post The Best Pre-Designed Opt-In Templates appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.