# How to Create Your First Print Template

> Build a Print template from scratch or from an existing Word document. Add variables, connect them to your platform data, and generate your first document.
> Help → Print → How to Create Your First Print Template

URL: https://thatapp.io/help/print/print-first-template
Category: Print

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**Step 1: Open the template editor**

Navigate to Print → Templates → New Template. The template editor opens.

**Step 2: Set up your template basics**

- Template name (internal reference)
- Output format (PDF or Word)
- Page size and orientation
- Header and footer (optional — good for branding)

**Step 3: Write or paste your content**

The editor is a rich text editor. Write your document content as you would in any word processor. Add your company logo, standard legal language, formatting — whatever the document needs.

**Step 4: Add variables**

Place your cursor where you want data to appear. Click Insert Variable (or type `{{`). The variable picker opens.

Select the platform and field. The variable is inserted into the template. It will appear as a highlighted placeholder while editing and be replaced with real data at generation time.

For example, to insert the client's name from Podio:
1. Click Insert Variable
2. Select "Podio" as the platform
3. Select your Client app
4. Select the "Name" field
5. Click Insert

The variable `{{podio.clients.name}}` appears at your cursor.

**Step 5: Save and test**

Click Save. Then click Test Generate. Choose a record to generate from and preview the result. Review it — does every variable show the right value?

**Step 6: Activate (optional)**

If you want to generate this template directly from Podio items, activate it: click Activate → select the Podio app → save. A Print button will appear on items in that app.

**Related:** Variables — Pulling Data Into Your Document · How to Activate a Template for Use in Podio