Resources - Newsletter Templates
Good writing and graphical elements aren't the only things that make a newsletter successful. An attractive and easy-to-read design is equally important. It helps the reader follow the flow of content, helping them pay attention to the message.
Below are three newsletter templates you are free to download and use for your employee newsletter. Read over our Working with Word Templates article for tips on how to use these templates. From serious and business-like to casual and modern, it's up to you how you want your newsletter to look—and these templates will help get you there. They are all easy to work with and will open right in Microsoft Word, so you don't have to learn any new software. All the templates use "Lorem Ipsum" placeholder text that can be replaced with your content.
Also, be sure to read through the things to "Keep in Mind" below. These are useful tips regardless of which template you use.
Keep in Mind:
- How color is used for decorative purposes, as well as article titles and background elements.
- The use of fonts/typefaces. Too many typefaces can create a cluttered look, so try not to use more than two per document.
- How borders are used for decoration, as well as for sectioning off certain areas for the table of contents, sidebars, etc.
- Choose one template to use for every issue so readers will recognize your publication. Differences in accent colors or images between issues is fine, but keep the same overall look, fonts, etc. for consistency.
Newsletter Template #1

Layout Attributes
- Overall look - Serious, business-like. To make it appear less formal, use brighter colors.
- Layout - Three-column grid with the exception of the front page feature article, which is two-columns. The margins around the content are kept consistent throughout the document.
- Color - Uses mainly two colors (gray and orange) for article titles, and a lighter shade of gray for the colored backgrounds.
- Typefaces - Only one typeface is used, with the article titles in bold and the body text in normal weight.
- Download: Word doc. | PDF
Newsletter Template #2

Layout Attributes
- Overall look - Casual, friendly. Notice the photos are placed at an angle. For a more formal look, you could straighten them.
- Layout - Three-column grid throughout; the cover and feature article use text that spans over two columns to create one larger column.
- Color - Other than the photos, it's black text and one accent color (green) with shades/tints to highlight areas with reversed-out white text.
- Typefaces - Only one typeface is used, with the article titles in bold and the body text in normal weight.
- Download: Word doc. | PDF
Newsletter Template #3

Layout Attributes
- Overall look - Casual, modern. Different colors and graphics could be used in the header banners depending on the season (currently uses snowflakes) or your preference.
- Layout - Mixture: Cover uses a three-column grid with text that spans over two columns to create one larger column; interior uses two-columns with banners and graphics that span the entire width, or the same layout from the cover.
- Color - Three main colors: blue for headers, gray for sidebars, red for text headlines. Notice the use of reversed-out white text on top of darker background colors.
- Typefaces - Uses one sans serif typeface that adds to the modern up-beat look.
- Download: Word doc. | PDF