E-mail Template Elements

• Required
• E-mail checklist items
• Graphics and text

The e-mail template design unites University of Minnesota e-mail communications to make them easily recognizable to recipients and provides tested examples of inline coding to style the e-mail text.

The image to the right (click for larger version) illustrates the elements that make up the e-mail template.

Required for e-mail

The University's current policies do not specifially address requirements for e-mail (requirements are being written). The following reflects what is being proposed for policy:

• The wordmark graphic at the top of HTML e-mail parts (see Graphic Standards).
• University of Minnesota identified in text e-mail parts (see Text Standards).
• An opt-out link when applicable (see Mailing Lists).
• Name and address of the sending unit.

The e-mail template header and footer include these requirements (see example above).

E-mail checklist items

The following recommended checklist items are explained throughout the e-mail standards:

• Use tables for layout of HTML e-mail (see Message Coding).
• Use inline styles to style text in HTML e-mail (see Message Coding).
• Message width for HTML e-mail should be 500 to 650 pixels (see Message Size).
• Mass e-mail must be sent as multipart (HTML and text) or text only (see Message Coding).
• Message width for HTML e-mail should be 500 to 650 pixels (see Message Size).

Graphics and text

Guidelines for the e-mail graphic header and text sections are offered to help maintain consistency throughout the University's e-mail communications and to help you adhere to policies and best practices.

• Graphic Standards
• Text Styling Standards

 

<!-- Coding Comments -->

Dissected e-mail template code.

Mass e-mail checklist

Specific requirements and recommendations for mass e-mail are covered throughout this site. See the complete checklist for a summary and links to explanations of checklist items.