Magento 2 Email Template Styles: Key Features and Different Types

• What are Magento 2 Email Template Styles?

• Key Features of Magento 2 Email Template Styles

• Different Magento 2 Email Template Styles

• Tools for Customizing Magento 2 Email Template Styles

• Best Practices for Styling Magento 2 Email Templates

• FAQs

• Summary

What are Magento 2 Email Template Styles?

Magento 2 email template styles are pre-designed layouts used for emails sent from a Magento 2 store.

The email template in Magento 2 provides a consistent, branded look for customer communications like:

• Order confirmations

• Shipping updates

• Account notifications

You can customize email templates. It allows businesses to align designs with their brand using HTML and CSS.

Magento email templates support responsive design for optimal viewing on any device. These include dynamic variables to personalize content, such as customer names or order details.

Magento 2 new template content enhances branding and simplifies communication efforts. It is used for efficient and professional email management.

Key Features of Magento 2 Email Template Styles

1. Customizable Templates

• Magento 2 offers fully editable email templates. It enables businesses to modify the layout and design to match their unique brand identity.

• You can change colors, fonts, and logos. It helps ensure a consistent appearance across all customer communications.

2. Dynamic Content Support

• Templates support dynamic variables, such as {{var customer.name}}. It helps personalize emails for each recipient.

• The feature allows you to include specific details like:

  1. Order numbers

  2. Customer names

  3. Shipping information

• It helps make communication more engaging and relevant.

3. HTML and CSS Integration

• Magento 2 allows the use of HTML and CSS to design unique layouts. It is used for advanced customization.

• The flexibility ensures that your emails can align with specific branding or campaign requirements. It helps offer a tailored look beyond standard designs.

4. Pre-designed Templates

• Magento 2 comes with a library of ready-to-use templates for common transactional emails. These include:

  1. Order confirmations

  2. Invoices

  3. Shipment notifications

  4. Password resets

• These templates save time and effort. It also provides a professional starting point for email customization.

5. Multi-language Support

• Magento 2 email templates allow multi-language support. The feature is important for stores that cater to international audiences.

• You can create and assign templates in various languages. It ensures localized communication for better customer engagement worldwide.

6. Preview and Testing

• The preview feature lets you see how the email will look before sending it out.

• You can test templates by sending sample emails to check for:

  1. Accuracy

  2. Design consistency

  3. Functionality

• It ensures every email is error-free and polished.

Different Magento 2 Email Template Styles

Template Styles	Purpose	Examples	Features
1. Transactional Email Templates	These templates handle essential automated interactions with customers.	Order confirmation Shipping notification Invoice email Credit memo email	Include dynamic variables to personalize content. These include customer names or order details. It offers a clean and professional look for conveying critical information. It can be easily edited through Magento Admin. You can also add custom HTML for a branded experience.
2. Marketing Email Templates	These templates focus on promotional content and customer engagement.	Newsletters Promotional campaigns Seasonal offers Upselling or cross-selling emails	Incorporate visually appealing designs to attract attention. Include CTAs (Call-to-Action) to drive conversions and customer interactions. You can embed product recommendations or discounts dynamically. Use HTML, CSS, and images to create engaging email campaigns.
3. Customer Account Templates	Facilitate account-related communications for customers.	Account creation email Password recovery Subscription or newsletter updates Account updates or alerts	Clear and straightforward designs for easy customer comprehension. Use personalization for better customer relationships. Adjust layout, text, and design to align with the brand’s tone and style.
4. Admin Notification Templates	Provide crucial updates and alerts to store administrators.	Low stock notifications New order alerts Customer inquiry notifications System updates or warnings	Focus on delivering clear, actionable information. The minimalistic design prioritizes functionality over aesthetics. Admin templates are functional by default. These can be customized for better alignment with operational workflows.
5. Custom Templates	Address unique business needs that are not covered by default templates.	Loyalty program updates Birthday or anniversary offers Event Invitations Custom order processes or surveys	Fully customizable to suit specific communication objectives. It can include dynamic variables, custom HTML, and brand-specific designs. You can build it from scratch using Magento’s email editor or third-party tools for advanced designs.
6. Multi-language Templates	Cater to stores operating in multiple regions with diverse languages.	Transactional or marketing emails in different languages	Assign different templates to specific store views or regions. Use localized text and cultural design elements for better engagement. Create templates for each language or adapt existing ones with translations and localized content.

Tools for Customizing Magento 2 Email Template Styles

Tools	Usage	Features	Best For
1. Magento Admin Panel	Go to Marketing > Communications > Email Templates.	Create email headers and manage custom email templates. Edit Magento 2 email templates with a built-in HTML editor. Preview templates before sending to ensure design accuracy.	Quick template edits and basic customizations.
2. HTML and CSS	Add or edit the HTML and CSS of templates for advanced customizations.	Modify layouts, fonts, colors, and other design elements. Create responsive designs to ensure compatibility across devices.	Developers or users familiar with coding who need custom layouts.
3. Dynamic Variables	Insert placeholders like customer names or store information into email templates.	Personalize content using Magento’s predefined variables (e.g., {{var customer.name}}). Simplifies the process of creating dynamic and contextual emails.	Adding personalization without complex coding.
4. Third-party Email Editors and Extensions	Magezon email builder is a drag-and-drop email editor for creating templates without coding. Amasty email templates manager offers pre-built templates and customization tools. Aheadworks email builder simplifies template creation with WYSIWYG editing tools.	Drag-and-drop interface for designing templates. Pre-designed blocks for headers, footers, and call-to-action buttons. Compatibility with Magento 2’s native email system.	Non-technical users looking for an easy way to design professional templates.
5. Magento File System	Magento’s core files, typically in app/design/frontend/{Vendor}/{Theme}/Magento_Email.	Override default Magento templates or create custom templates directly in the theme files. Allows complete control over email design and structure. Ideal for integrating advanced features or unique branding elements.	Developers that need full flexibility over email customization.
6. SMTP Extensions	Mageplaza SMTP ensures reliable email delivery and offers template management features. Moosend or Mailchimp integration combines marketing tools with Magento’s email system.	Improve email deliverability and tracking. Customize email content within the integration platform.	Businesses requiring advanced email delivery and tracking with design customization.
7. Local and Online HTML Editors	Adobe Dreamweaver for local editing. Online tools like Litmus or Stripo for designing and testing responsive email templates.	Provide a visual interface for HTML email creation. Test templates for responsiveness and email client compatibility.	Professionals designing custom emails with detailed previews.
8. Email Testing Tools	Litmus and Email on Acid	Test your email templates across various devices and email clients. Identify design flaws or compatibility issues.	Ensuring polished and error-free email templates.

Best Practices for Styling Magento 2 Email Templates

1. Keep the Design Clean and Simple

• A clean design helps the recipient quickly understand the message without distractions.

• Use ample white space to separate sections and avoid overwhelming the reader. Limit the use of bold colors and intricate patterns. Focus on readability.

• Keep text concise with clear headings and bullet points for easy scanning.

2. Maintain Brand Consistency

• Emails should feel like a natural extension of your website and overall branding.

• The email design should incorporate your:

  1. Logo

  2. Brand colors

  3. Fonts

• Use a consistent tone of voice that matches your website and other communication channels.

• Add new template information, such as custom icons or graphics, to reinforce identity.

3. Make Templates Responsive

• Most users read emails on mobile devices, making responsiveness essential.

• Use media queries in CSS to adjust layouts for different screen sizes. Keep font sizes large enough to read comfortably on small screens.

• Design buttons and CTAs with a minimum size of 44x44 pixels for easy tapping.

4. Use Dynamic Variables for Personalization

• Personalized emails perform better. It helps improve customer engagement and satisfaction.

• Use Magento’s dynamic variables like {{var customer.name}} to greet recipients by name. Add order details ({{var order.increment_id}}) or product recommendations for a tailored experience.

• Test variables thoroughly to avoid displaying placeholders in live emails.

5. Optimize for Email Clients

• Different email clients like Gmail and Outlook may render templates differently.

• Use simple, email-safe fonts like Arial or Verdana to ensure compatibility. Avoid CSS properties like position or float that may not work in certain clients.

• Test emails using tools like Litmus or Email on Acid to identify rendering issues.

6. Prioritize Text Over Images

• Not all recipients enable images in their email clients, so content must be text-based.

• Ensure key information, like order details or CTAs, is conveyed through text. Use alt text for images to describe their content if images fail to load.

• Avoid relying on images to convey the main message of the email.

7. Adhere to Email Design Best Practices

• A well-structured email improves readability and encourages user action.

• Stick to a single-column layout to ensure readability on all devices. Limit the width of the email load template to 600-700 pixels for optimal display.

• Use bold, clear CTAs with actionable text like “View Order” or “Shop Now.”

8. Use Inline CSS

• Many email clients strip out external CSS, so inline styles ensure consistent rendering.

• Add styles directly within HTML tags. Avoid advanced CSS features like animations or hover effects that may not work in emails.

• Use tools like Premailer or Litmus to automatically inline CSS for better compatibility.

9. Add Unsubscribe and Footer Information

• Including unsubscribe options ensures compliance with laws like GDPR and CAN-SPAM.

• Add a clear unsubscribe link in marketing emails. Include a footer with your store’s contact information, including address and phone number.

• Provide links to your privacy policy or terms of service.

10. Preview and Test Before Sending

• Testing ensures your email looks and functions correctly across devices and email clients.

• Use Magento’s built-in preview feature to review template designs. Send test emails to multiple devices for a full evaluation.

• Leverage testing tools like Litmus or Email on Acid to check compatibility and responsiveness.

FAQs

1. How can I customize email templates in Magento 2?

To customize email templates in Magento 2, go to the Admin Panel. Choose your template, and edit using HTML or CSS styles. You can change the logo, header, and footer or add custom variables to match your brand. Save the template after editing for updates.

2. How do I create a new email template in Magento 2?

To create a new email template, go to Marketing > Email Templates in the Admin Panel. Choose the template from the list, modify the content and layout, and save the template. Add your template subject, logo, and sender name for a professional design.

3. Where are Magento 2 email templates stored?

Default email templates are stored in the Magento 2 system files. To customize, copy them to your custom theme or create new custom templates. Then, configure them via the Admin Panel. It ensures changes won't affect core Magento files.

4. Can I use dynamic variables in Magento 2 email templates?

Template variables like {{var customer.name}} can be inserted to personalize emails. You can also add the sender name and sender email values or order details. These variables make emails engaging and relevant to recipients.

Summary

Magento 2 email template styles provide pre-designed layouts for store communications. The article explores the key features of email template styles, including:

• Customizable templates allow changes to colors and logos for brand alignment.

• Dynamic variables personalize emails with customer names and order details.

• Pre-designed templates save time and offer professional layouts for common emails.

• Multi-language support ensures localized communication for global audiences.

Elevate your email campaigns with Magento 2 email template styles. Pair it with managed Magento hosting for better reliability and speed.