How To Perform PSD To HTML Email Template Conversion?

Yes, creating an email mockup is a crucial first step in designing email marketing templates that command attention. These mockups help you visualize your concepts and communicate them effectively to subscribers. 

Designers use many tools and software to design email mockups. But Adobe Photoshop needs a special mention. It’s the most popular graphic design tool email marketers (37%) can’t get enough of. Thanks to its wide range of design features and endless possibilities for custom email design creations.

But no matter how stunning your PSD (Photoshop Design) might be, it's still just a static image. That’s because an email mockup is neither functional nor coded. Like architectural blueprints, which are essential for planning but useless for living. 

For your email to look consistent and professional across today's jungle of devices and email clients, your developer must convert the PSD file from the designer into a dependable HTML email template. 

Unlike an email mockup, an HTML email template is a pre-designed, reusable email that can be edited and used for different email campaigns. Creating this template is the final, crucial step in email production.

A successful PSD to HTML email conversion means your HTML email mirrors your PSD design as closely as possible. It is a nerdy but essential step in your email design and development process. That extends your creative vision into HTML emails that are functional in subscribers’ inbox. 

The million-dollar question is: how to convert PSD designs into fully responsive HTML email templates? Let’s find out. 

What Is PSD To HTML Email Template Conversion?

PSD to responsive HTML email template conversion takes PSD designs from Adobe Photoshop which results in fully functional HTML email templates. 

A well-made PSD template serves as the blueprint for email development. It contains vital design details that coding experts need to turn artistic elements into working HTML code.

The process of PSD to HTML email conversion involves developers translating PSD design features into HTML and CSS, along with possible JavaScript use.

Why bother with PSD to HTML conversion? It’s because: 

• PSD files are static image files that make them less desirable for modern email marketing campaigns. PSD files lack interactive elements like clickable links, responsive layouts, and dynamic components such as survey forms or CTA buttons. When you convert PSD to HTML, developers can add such interactive features, enhancing user engagement.
• Your emails have the job of rendering correctly on over 50 email clients who are notoriously picky about rendering various email elements. The only way to ensure the design renders flawlessly on all these clients is to convert PSD into HTML. 
• With 71.5% of consumers primarily checking emails on mobile devices, creating mobile-responsive email templates has become a norm. PSD to HTML email conversion is a mainstay for that. 
• HTML templates save time and maintain brand consistency. Once converted to HTML, your email templates become reusable assets that can be quickly modified for different campaigns.

Said another way: the quality of this PSD to HTML conversion determines how your email appears on different devices. 

When done well, your email retains its integrity across platforms. The resulting design is consistent, maintains your brand's image, and makes your emails easily recognizable. Plus, well-converted HTML emails are responsive and user-friendly.

Step-by-Step Conversion Of PSD To HTML Email

1. Slicing and Exporting

First, open the PSD file in Photoshop. Identify and slice the individual components, such as the header, body, and footer. This makes the PSD to HTML email conversion more manageable and creates an organizational foundation for your HTML template structure. Good slicing now, fewer headaches later.

2. Organizing Files

Sort images and assets into separate folders for easy access. Use a consistent naming convention for files and classes to enhance code readability. Organize your CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files to prevent confusion. You’ll appreciate this neat work when troubleshooting later.

3. Coding HTML Structure

Now for the backbone of your email template: set up a basic HTML structure. You need to define the overall layout using HTML elements. Tables are most often used to create the structure of an email template as they have better compatibility across different email clients compared to div elements. 

4. Styling With CSS Functionality

Use Inline CSS for styling elements in an HTML email template. Unlike external stylesheets or CSS blocks in the <head> section, inline styles are applied directly to each HTML element using the style attribute. Some email clients strip or ignore external stylesheets or <style> blocks. Inline CSS ensures that your styles render correctly across different clients. 

5. Integrating Images 

Insert the exported images into the correct sections of the HTML code. Use absolute URLs for image sources to ensure they display properly. Add ALT tags to images for better accessibility.

6. Making It Responsive

Implement responsive design techniques to ensure your HTML email works well on various devices. Use media queries in your CSS to adjust styles based on screen size. Test responsiveness on different devices for a seamless user experience.

7. Testing And Optimization

Use email testing tools like Email On Acid,  Litmus, or Mailtrap to simulate how your email template will appear on various devices and email clients. These tools give you real-time previews, helping you identify potential rendering issues early on.

Besides the automated tools, test your email manually to catch any issues that automated tools might not detect.

Optimization should also follow testing so that the emails load quickly. Compress images with tools like TinyPNG or Compressor.io to reduce image file sizes without compromising quality. Finally, minify your code before deploying the email. Email Comb and HTML Crush are fantastic tools to do this. 

Wrapping Up 

The quality of your PSD to HTML email conversion is vital for your email marketing success. It ensures that the designs you worked hard on display correctly.

Keep in mind that email design requires specialized knowledge. The designer creating your PSD should have experience with email templates. Their expertise helps ensure a smooth conversion process, resulting in an HTML email that accurately reflects your creative vision. Don’t rush this step.