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Campaign Content: PDF Upload vs. Template Editor

This guide explains the two ways you can create mail content for a PostGrid campaign: uploading a ready-made PDF or designing your piece using templates.

Updated over a week ago

What is this feature?

Campaign content determines what each recipient will receive — letters, postcards, or self-mailers. PostGrid supports two creation paths:

  • PDF Upload: For teams that design externally using tools like Adobe InDesign, Canva, or Photoshop.

  • Template Editor: A drag-and-drop designer inside PostGrid that enforces print guidelines and supports images, custom fonts, merge variables, and more.

How to Set Up Campaign Content?

Method 1: Uploading a PDF

  1. Design externally
    Create your mail piece in your preferred design software.

  2. Follow PostGrid print guidelines
    Your PDF must meet bleed, margin, and safe-area requirements to ensure proper print alignment.

  3. Upload during campaign creation
    When building the campaign, upload your PDF file. No further editing in PostGrid is required.

Method 2: Using the Template Editor

  1. Open the editor
    Go to Resources → Templates → Create Template.
    Enter a description and leave Create with raw HTML unchecked to use the Template Editor.

  2. Choose your mail specifications

    • Destination: US & International, UK, Canada, or Australia

    • Collateral type: Letter, Postcard (6x4, 9x6, 11x6), Bifold Self Mailer, Trifold Self Mailer

  3. Design your template

    • Layout guidelines: Bleed areas are shown as dashed lines. Avoid the pink “Address Stamp Region” where postage and addressing will be placed.

    • Add text: Use the Text tab to drag in headers, subheaders, or body text; adjust fonts, colors, and positioning.

    • Add elements: Use the Elements tab for shapes, lines, and decorative components.

    • Add photos: Use Photos to upload your own images or pull from Unsplash.

    • Trackers (optional): Add tracking components from the Trackers tab.

    • Merge variables (optional): Insert personalized data dynamically (names, promo codes, etc.). See how to use merge variables in our next article.

  4. Save and publish your template
    Click Save Design.
    If you created it in Test Mode, click Copy to Live Mode to make the template available for real campaigns.

FAQs

Q: Can I upload my own PDF?
A: Yes. Just make sure it follows PostGrid’s print guidelines.

Q: What mail types can I design in the Template Editor?
A: Letters, postcards (6x4, 9x6, 11x6), bifold and trifold self-mailers.

Q: Can I upload custom fonts and images?
A: Yes. You can upload fonts and photos, or search stock images directly through Unsplash.

Q: What is the “Address Stamp Region”?
A: A pink-highlighted area reserved for postage and mailing information. Avoid placing any key content in that zone.

Q: What are the dashed lines?
A: They indicate bleed and safe areas. Anything outside may be trimmed.

Q: How do Test Mode and Live Mode work?
A: Templates are usually created in Test Mode. When you’re ready to use one in a real campaign, copy it to Live Mode.

Q: Can I personalize my mailpieces?
A: Yes. Merge variables allow personalized content for each recipient.

Q: Do I need HTML knowledge?
A: No. The visual editor is fully drag-and-drop. An option to use raw HTML is available for advanced users.

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