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New Gmail layouts: create newsletter templates for branded emails in Gmail

New Gmail layouts: create newsletter templates for branded emails in Gmail

5
min read

Google regularly releases new Gmail features that enhance the experience of sending and receiving emails. One exciting new feature allows Google Workspace users to easily create branded emails using professional newsletter templates in Gmail.  

A Google workspace feature in Gmail that allows users to select a layout for a branded email

This guide will walk you through how to use this feature to create stunning branded emails for your audience right in Gmail. 

<a href="#use-branded-emails-gmail" class="anchor-link">How to create professional-looking branded emails in Gmail</a>

  • <a href="#compose-new-email" class="anchor-link">Compose a new email</a>
  • <a href="#open-layouts-menu" class="anchor-link">Open layouts menu</a>
  • <a href="#explore-layout-options" class="anchor-link">Explore layout options</a>
  • <a href="#customize-your-layouts" class="anchor-link">Customize your layouts</a>
  • <a href="#save-your-changes" class="anchor-link">Save your changes</a>
  • <a href="#insert-a-layout" class="anchor-link">Insert a layout into your email body</a>
  • <a href="#edit-your-content" class="anchor-link">Edit your content</a>

<a href="#why-use-layouts-gmail" class="anchor-link">Why use layouts to create branded emails in Gmail?</a>

  • <a href="#positive-first-impressions" class="anchor-link">Positive first impressions</a>
  • <a href="#increased-credibility" class="anchor-link">Increased credibility</a>
  • <a href="#grow-brand-recognition" class="anchor-link">Grow brand recognition</a>

<a href="#use-gmail-newsletter-templates" class="anchor-link">Using Gmail newsletter templates in Streak’s mail merge feature</a>

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How to create professional-looking branded emails in Gmail

Launched in August 2022 for Google Workspace users, the branded newsletter templates in Gmail make it possible to build professional newsletters and other branded emails with just a few clicks.

To use Gmail layouts, follow these steps:

<div class="anchor-wrapper"><div id="compose-new-email" class="anchor-target"></div></div>

1. Compose a new email

Open Gmail and click “Compose” in the top left to write a new email.

The "Compose" button in Gmail located in Gmail's top left

<div class="anchor-wrapper"><div id="open-layouts-menu" class an="anchor-target"></div></div>

2. Open layouts menu

At the bottom of the compose window, click the button that looks like a collage (or a Streak logo…). When you hover over it, the button should say “Choose layout."

A screenshot of the window you see when you click "Compose" button, and where the collage-looking button (Streak logo) is encircled

<div class="anchor-wrapper"><div id="explore-layout-options" class="anchor-target"></div></div>

3. Explore layout options

When you click the button, you’ll see previews of the 10 different layout templates on the left side of the screen, each with a title like “Call to action” or “Announcement.” You can click on each one to see a larger preview of it on the right.

A screenshot of the window panel you see when you click the Streak logo at the bottom of the blank email composition template inside "Compose"

<div class="anchor-wrapper"><div id="customize-your-layouts" class="anchor-target"></div></div>

4. Customize your layouts

If it’s your first time using the branded email templates, click “Default styling” in the bottom left corner.

The window panel that you see once you click "Default Styling" in the bottom left of the branded email template layout selection section



On the next screen, you can customize aspects of your layouts that will apply to all templates. These include: 

  • Your brand's logo
  • Color palette
  • Font
  • Footer details
  • Links preferences

You can change these at any time, but once you customize your layouts to match your company branding you shouldn’t have to edit these details often.

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5. Save your changes

Don’t forget this part! When you’re done customizing the designs, click “Save & continue.” You will see the changes you just made reflected in the template previews. 

<div class="anchor-wrapper"><div id="insert-a-layout" class="anchor-target"></div></div>

6. Insert a layout into your email body

Select the layout you like and click “Insert.” The layout will appear in the body of the email.

A screenshot of the layout templates available for composing branded emails, and where you should click "Insert" button to select a layout

<div class="anchor-wrapper"><div id="edit-your-content" class="anchor-target"></div></div>

7. Edit your content

Now that your layout is in the email, you can customize each section, including text, images, links, and buttons. Click on each section of the layout to see your customization options.

A screenshot of the selected layout of a branded email where you will see editing/customization options when you hover your mouse over its elements or sections



If there’s a button in the layout, make sure to add a link to the button so it takes readers to the intended page.

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Why use layouts to create branded emails in Gmail?

Think about how many emails you receive in a day. It’s most likely a lot. 

Your email recipients are probably facing similarly crowded inboxes, so you have to make sure your emails are worth paying attention to. Creating professional, branded emails is one of the best ways to do that. 

Using newsletter templates in Gmail requires less effort than other email marketing tools, saving you time and frustration. 

If you’re still not sold on the value of branded emails, consider these benefits:

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Positive first impressions

Emails can act as your brand’s first impression with potential new customers. To create the strongest possible first impression, your email should be professional and recognizable from your brand to avoid being seen as spam. A striking branded email will help you achieve that effect. 

<div class="anchor-wrapper"><div id="increased-credibility" class="anchor-target"></div></div>

Increased credibility

Branded emails help convey your professionalism and experience to your audience, increasing your brand’s credibility. Which would you trust more: a plain text email with no branding whatsoever or an eye-catching email with a brand logo and business contact information? 

The answer is clear. 

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Grow brand recognition

Over time, if you continually send branded emails with a clear logo and brand colors, you’ll grow brand recognition for your business. Your audience will increasingly associate the colors and logo with your brand and your brand may come to mind when they’re searching for products or solutions in your market. 

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Using Gmail newsletter templates in Streak’s mail merge feature

Branded newsletter templates in Gmail are very useful, but they’re even more powerful when you use them in Streak’s mail merge feature.

A screenshot of Gmail newsletter template being used in Streak's mail merge feature

With mail merge, you can use Gmail’s branded email templates to send newsletters and other promotional emails to your entire contact list at once.

To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Download the free Streak extension for Chrome or Safari browsers.
  2. Create a mail merge using Streak.
  3. In the body of a blank email, open the new “Choose template” feature.
  4. Customize the template as desired, following the steps above.
  5. Send or schedule the mail merge.

Once you send the mail merge, you’ll be able to see the promotions and newsletters you have sent to each contact in each Streak box as well as the mail merge lists in Streak. Note that mail merge variables and Streak snippets don’t currently work with the Gmail layouts. 

If you haven’t used Streak before, you can install Streak for free to send your first mail merge with Gmail layouts today.

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