How to Save Custom Templates in CorelDRAW

Creating custom templates in CorelDRAW streamlines your workflow by preserving page dimensions, layout guidelines, color palettes, and default design elements for future projects. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough on how to prepare your artwork, configure document properties, and save your work as a reusable CorelDRAW Template (.CDT) file.

Step 1: Prepare Your Document

  1. Open CorelDRAW and create a new document with the specifications you want to reuse (e.g., page size, orientation, resolution, and color mode such as CMYK or RGB).
  2. Set up layout aids, including guidelines, grids, and master layers using the Objects docker.
  3. Add any recurring design elements, such as logos, frames, contact footers, or placeholder text styles.

Step 2: Access the Save as Template Feature

  1. Click File on the top menu bar.
  2. Select Save as Template... from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Configure Template Details

  1. In the file dialog box, choose the destination folder. To make the template appear automatically in CorelDRAW's template browser, save it in the default templates directory (Documents\Corel\Corel Content\Templates or the default user content folder specified in your CorelDRAW options).
  2. Enter a recognizable file name in the File name field.
  3. Ensure the Save as type is set to CDT - CorelDRAW Template.
  4. Click Save.

Step 4: Add Metadata and Template Properties

After clicking Save, the Template Properties dialog box will appear:

  1. Name: Enter the title you want displayed in the template selector.
  2. Category: Choose an existing category (e.g., Brochures, Business Cards) or type a new category name.
  3. Page Setup: Specify whether the template applies to a single page, multiple pages, or booklet formats.
  4. Designer Notes: Add optional notes or instructions for users working with this template.
  5. Click OK to finalize the save.

Step 5: Open and Use Your Saved Template

To start a new project using your template:

  1. Go to File > New from Template...
  2. In the template browser, navigate to the category where you saved your file or choose My Templates.
  3. Select your template and click Open.

CorelDRAW will open the file as an untitled, new document, keeping your original template file safe from accidental overwrites.