Template files can speed up your workflow in Adobe Illustrator. Want to work on a background paper collection? Illustrator template files provide a one-click shortcut to starting with your artboards, color palettes, layers and other settings loaded and ready.

To create your own background collection template in CS4 and CS5, follow these steps:

1. Create a new document (File > New) with 4, 12 x 12” artboards in the RGB color mode. Name your document.

2. Draw a 12 x 12” square centered on each artboard using a neutral fill color and no stroke.

3. Layer up! Create 4 layers, 1 for each square, name them Background 1, Background 2 , etc. and move each square to it’s appropriate layer. You can even choose the layer thumbnail size you like to work with by clicking on the layers panel options menu and choosing Panel Options… then choose Row Size > Large.

4. Add some assets! Copy and paste favorite pieces of art from other files. Load color swatches, pattern swatches, and brushes. Create Graphic Styles to save your favorite drop shadows and effects. Whatever you load on these panels will travel with your template file. Tired of the default colors and brushes? Trash them from the panel, and they won’t clutter up your template file.

5. Set up rulers and guides and choose the view you want to be greeted with when you open the file. Center the 4 artboards in the window, (View > Fit All in Window) and this is how your template will appear when you open it.

6. When everything is just as you want it, choose File > Save as Template. Your file will be saved with the extension .ait.

Next time you’re ready to create, open the template file, it will automatically generate a copy named “Untitled” so you can rename and save it, preserving the original template. You can work on a background collection, varying the color palette and design across the four artboards.

Use layer clipping masks to mask the art on each artboard as needed. Visit my YouTube channel for a tutorial on Layer Clipping Masks.

Have fun with Illustrator!

Laura Coyle

Laura Coyle is a professional illustrator who creates distinctive art with wide appeal. Her clients include major brands like Target, Amazon.com, Disney and publications including Better Homes and Gardens and The Wall Street Journal. Laura also teaches Adobe Illustrator classes here at ReneePearson.com

Tags: Illustrator | templates