Using Minted Templates & Layers

If your design is selected as a winner, you should receive a File Request from the Minted Files Team. Download the submission templates linked in your File Request email, and refer to the steps below for proper layer setup.
 

TEMPLATE TYPES

We offer two different types of templates for file submissions: separate templates and combined templates.

• If you are working in Adobe Illustrator CS4 or earlier, please use the separated template files.
• If you are working in Adobe Illustrator CS5 or later, we encourage you to use our combined template to view your design more holistically. 

After selecting the type of template you would like to work with, select the template that matches the orientation of your winning design.

COMBINED PATTERN TEMPLATES

In an effort to reduce the number of required pieces for file submissions, we are giving designers the option to submit one pattern that will serve as both the card backer and envelope liner. If you are interested in having these two accessories share the same artwork, please use the combined pattern.ai template (if you are working in separate templates) or the combined pattern artboard (if you are working in combined templates). Instead of submitting both a backer and envelope liner, you can instead submit one combined pattern for each colorway.

NOTE: If you would rather keep these files different and submit both of these files separately, that is ok too!

TEMPLATE LAYERS

A key element in order for your design to launch quickly is to ensure design components are set up correctly and on the correct layer. Below is a guide on how to manage those layers in Illustrator.

FOIL: If your design is part of our foil-pressed assortment, place foil-pressed elements on this layer. These elements will be pressed last on top of all digital elements. alternate greetings: Used only in Holiday & Wedding, we offer alternate greetings as a way to give customers more copy options. Please place each greeting in the appropriate group within the alternate greeting layer. *Note: alternate greetings are only incorporated on the front of your design, not on accessories. For more info see our Alternate Greetings FAQ. text: Place editable text on this layer. *Note: these text boxes are also movable in our customizer.  movable: Place elements here that you would like to be movable by the customer. Elements grouped together will be one movable object. foreground: Place artwork here if it should be positioned on top of any customizable photos and below customizable text. This includes textures or gradients. photo: Place all customer editable photos on this layer. background: Place all non-editable artwork on this layer. This should sit beneath editable content like text and photos. *Note: Die-cut shapes are place in a “background” sublayer. If your design uses a die-cut shape, you can turn shapes on & off here to preview your design. Our team will automatically launch your design with the die-cut shape matching your winning submission as the default, and enable any other shapes that work with your design. Please just set up your design to be optimized with our standard rectangular A7 shape, since this is offered for all designs. guides: Guides help you position artwork at a safe distance from the edge of the card or indicate where logos will be placed. Please leave locked and do not edit elements on this layer.

NOTE: If you don’t have a design element that applies to a certain layer that’s ok– just leave it blank!