Creating a newsletter

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this page is a work in progress!!

This article is mostly based on this thread from the Scribus mailing list: Using Scribus for a newsletter

I want to suggest thinking about this newsletter creation process in a different way. I am going to try to describe a process that does not include, for the moment, the specific details of any application.

Let's say I want a 4 page newsletter. I open my DTP application (it could be Scribus, it could be InDesign, it could be a number of other possibilities). Let's say also that this is the first time I attempt to create this newsletter--that is, I have no previous documents, no templates with which to start.

When I open the application for the first time, I will be looking at a single page (there are exceptions, but for the moment, I am not going to consider them).

It is at this point--not later--that I add pages to my document. Each application has a different set of keystrokes/mouseclicks to do this, but the point is, add 3 pages (for a 4 page newsletter) before you take any other steps. This is also probably a good time to save my document--which is completely blank--with an appropriate file name; e.g., Oct08Nsltr. My "document" is now synonymous with "file," even though it contains no content.

OK. I want my newsletter to have a logo and name on page 1, and I want that logo and name to be always in the same place on page 1. Therefore, I do NOT put those items on page 1. I put them on a master page. When I first create that master page with any graphics and text, it exists independently of the other 4 pages in my document (which are still blank). Think of that master page as a 5th page. When I am satisfied with the look of the master page--and remember, I include only unchanging items (again, with some exceptions, for the moment ignored) on that master page--I then apply that master page to page 1.

When I then look at page 1, I see all the items on page 1 that I entered into the master page. I cannot change those master page items while I am on page 1 (If I need to make changes to any master page item, I must go back to the master page to do so).

But I can add more content to page 1, either text or graphics, by adding a text or graphics frame to page 1 and then filling that frame with appropriate content. I can do that with any page that has a master page applied to it. That way, the unchanging content is protected from inadvertent changes, and will remain precisely positioned for every subsequent issue.

Note that at this point I have made no mention of a template.

I will try to walk through your process and see if I can explain the differences between your description and mine.

"Here's my problem. I bring up the template for my first page, and put text and a photo on it. Then I want to add a second page, but I want it to be a copy of another template, the one I have set up with header and page number to be a left-side inside page."

I think you are, at the moment, tangled up in definitions.

Don't think of a template as something you use for a single page--at least for a multipage newsletter, or any multipage document.

If you start with 4 blank pages (for a 4 page newsletter), then there is no need (although it is possible) to add pages later. OK. Let's say you have a master page for the front page (or title page). Lets say also that you want a "header" on the following pages, but you want the "left side" page header to look different than the "right side" page header (or they can be the same).

The way to accomplish this is to create another master page; call it "Body Text," or 2 new master pages, "Body Text Left" and "Body Text Right." You place the header and the command that creates page numbers automatically into that (or those) master page(s). At this point, other than page 1 with the Title Master page info, all the pages are still blank. Now apply the Body Text master page(s) to pages 2 to 4. Pages 2 to 4 will have the header information--and nothing else. And I have still not mentioned the word template.

At this point, you can save the document--with all 4 pages, mostly blank--with another name, such as Nsltr_template (Scribus has "Save as template" option). But before you go any further, close the template--which is a document containing, at the very least, master pages--and make sure you are working on Oct08Nsltr.

To add more content to any of the pages (e.g, "text and a photo"), place text and/or graphics frames where you want them on pages 1 to 4 (not on the master pages), and then place the appropriate content into those frames. Remember that at this point all 4 pages have some content in them that came from a master page, PLUS the additional content you just added.

"The only way I can get a copy of the page I want for my page two is to bring up the template for it, convert it to a master, then click on page and apply master. THEN I can choose my page two, but all I have then is a two-page document that consists of two copies of my page 2."

If you start with 4 pages, create how ever many master pages you want, and then apply those master pages to blank existing pages, THEN add more content, I think you will avoid the confusion created by the process you describe. I repeat: don't think of a template as something you use for a single page--at least for a multipage newsletter, or any multipage document. Think of a template as a collection of formatting, text and graphics for a complete document.

I can offer a few comments on some details, although I am not an experienced Scribus user. Other contributors to this list may have better suggestions. When you open Scribus (I am using v.1.3.3.11 for Windows), the New Document dialog box is displayed. In the Document Layout panel on the left side of the box, select single page. In the Options section at the upper right of the box, enter 4 pages. Then click OK.

To create a master page, Click on Edit/Master Pages. The small box that is displayed has several icons just below the title bar. Click on the first one, which is "Add a new master page." Give it a name (e.g., Title) and click OK. At this point, my inexperience shows up. I have not yet learned to move between master pages and body text pages. Hopefully, one of the other messages in this thread, together with the tutorial, will provide the necessary information.

I hope my view of the DTP process helps.

You may find it helpful to see another newsletter that uses master pages (created with InDesign CS3). If you connect to http://frpcug.org/k-byte/current.pdf, you will see the 12 page newsletter I described in an earlier message. The logo at the top left, the name at top center, the photo at top right, the logo near the bottom left, and a few other items on page 1 are all on a master page. Most everything else was added directly to page 1. On subsequent pages, you will see the page number, publication name and date at the bottom of each page. I used master pages for those items, with all other content added directly to the page. I don't claim that this method is the only method to create a newsletter--only that it works for me. Note, however, that this newsletter is published only to the web site--that is, no hard copies--so you don't see a page arrangement suitable for printing (you don't see the imposition required for printing).

Mike Morris


My words that follow are a response to Joe Ward's questions in his message of earlier today that started with " I think I'm as confused as ever."

As I viewed the various responses to the question on the difference between master pages and templates, I decided to add my own thoughts. Hopefully, those thoughts will provide some additional clarity, and will not add to the confusion.

I publish a 12 page newsletter on a monthly basis (not, at present, using Scribus, but the concepts apply). In that newsletter, I have several master pages. One of those master pages, which I call Title master page, contains a logo, the name of the newsletter, and some text (volume no., etc.). I have other master pages that I use for the newsletter that contain only the name of the publication, the date, and the page number--think of this info as a "footer." Another way to think of the master page is as a background that is always part of the newsletter. A background may appear on one page, multiple pages, or all pages. You can also think of a master page as a partial pattern for a page (or multiple pages).

A template, however, is more than just a master page (or more than master pages). A template contains (or can contain) many other elements; e.g., formatting commands (including Styles) and master pages. In other words, a template is (or can be) a pattern for a complete document. A master page is a pattern for a page (or pages) within a document.

I could save a version of my newsletter without the articles, but with the master pages, as a template. That way, for each new newsletter, the common elements will always be in the correct place: on the pages(s) and in the document. I then need only add the articles appropriate for the new month's issue.

Could you create a newsletter template without any master pages? Yes, you could. But then you are not making use of a very important feature of any true DTP application: keeping common elements precisely positioned with every new issue. I suggest to you, that once you learn how to use master pages, you will realize just how effective this feature is. Perhaps the use of a well-known advertising phrase will drive home the message: "Don't leave home (your document) without it (master pages)." Oh, well, a feeble attempt at humor.

Could you create a newsletter with master pages, but not create a template? Yes, you could. Provided, when you start a new issue, and you open last month's newsletter to create this month's newsletter, that you remember to save the newly opened document immediately, with a NEW FILE NAME before you make ANY changes. That is assuming, of course, that you want to keep copies of previous issues.

That is the concept (or my understanding of it), and my version of the explanation provided by Christoph Schafer on September 15th. I hope my added words provide some insight beyond the simple definitions of template and master page. I must leave the explanation of the mechanics of creating and using master pages to those who are more familiar with Scribus than I am.

Regarding your question on how to prepare the newsletter for a printer: am I correct in concluding that you want a "booklet" format? By this I mean--using a 4 page newsletter as an example--pages 1 and 4 on the "outside," and pages 2 and 3 on the "inside," with the newsletter folded to 8.5 x 11 (and therefore the actual printed sheet size is 11 x 17)?

If you want a booklet format, Scribus, at present, needs an additional utility to accomplish this process, called imposition. You can find information on several alternative imposition utilities (and how to use them) at those links provided by Louis Desjardins in his response of September 13, repeated here for convenience:

http://wiki.scribus.net/index.php/Imposition_tools http://wiki.scribus.net/index.php/How_to_make_a_booklet

Mike Morris


I think you're still having an issue with "master pages" and "templates". As Jan stated -- don't save each page, but one document with all the pages you need. My little magazine (more of a "fanzine" or fancy newsletter) is 24-26 pages. Don't create a template. Create your newsletter instead, then use the last issue as a template for the next. Or delete the text (except the ads and other elements that will remain the same) then save that as a template. This is what works best/easiest for me, but by all means find what works for you and do that! Forget about the terminology though and how you think things "should" be done. Once you start using Scribus you'll learn your way around and may change the way you do things as you learn -- nothing's set in type.  ;>

Ads don't change much, but they do on occasion. I always use the last issue as the next issue's template. Just remember to save the "last" as the "next" before making changes or you could overwrite the "last" one. When you do this it's easy to select and cut and ad, then paste it on another page, or move it about a page -- whatever is necessary. Don't get caught up in the terminology! I've never found a real use for "templates" as the above works much better. I have on rare occasion used a "ready made" template for some project, but for the Mike Morris most part I ignore that "feature". The only good thing about a template is that it can be locked so that items can't be changed. Once you open a template as a document, things can be changed, and then you save as a document, leaving the original template unchanged. This keeps you from overwriting your template, but that's all. Remember, a "master page" only has items that will be on every single page of the document. A "template" is a skeleton of the entire document, so you need to make it all first. Then open a new document using the template. The master page you created for the template is saved with the template.

Frank Swygert


Frank is spot on here, Joe. You can easily totally forget about templates and Master Pages, and just create your first newsletter. If later you want to create a template Mike Morris from your newsletter, or create one or more Master Pages from your newsletter, fine, but it seems you need to know much more about how to use all the other elements of Scribus than worry about templates and master pages.

Gregory Pittman