Return to: U of M Home

eCommunication Standards.

Template elements.E-mail Template Elements

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 in text at the top of 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.

<!-- Coding Comments -->

Dissected e-mail template code.

Mass e-mail checklist

A number of 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.