Note: This feature is currently in Beta testing. Please reach out to tiffany@knak.com if you would like to participate.
Overview
A module preset is a named style for a module. For example, you can have a "Dark theme" preset or a "Green button" preset.
Each preset uses the same content as the module. Only the style changes. Style means things like colors, images, button styling and alignment.
Without presets, you might build the same module many times just to change its colors. With presets, all of those looks live in one module.
Use module presets to:
Give builders a small set of approved looks for one module.
Keep one copy of the module's content, so you only edit text in one place.
Let builders switch between brand colors or themes with one click.
Every module starts with one preset called Core. Core is the module as you build it today.
Tip: Presets change how a module looks. Module variations change what appears in a module. To learn when to use each one, see Module Presets vs. Module Variations.
Before You Begin
You need access to the Module Builder to create, edit or delete presets.
Builders do not need special access to pick a preset in an asset.
Demo Video
Create a Preset in the Module Builder
Add a New Preset
Open the module in the Module Builder.
Click the Settings tab.
Open the preset dropdown. The module shows Core (default).
Click +New Preset to create a new preset.
Enter a clear name for the preset, such as "Secondary" or "Dark theme".
Make sure your new preset is selected in the dropdown.
Change the styles you want for this preset. For example, change the background color or the button alignment.
Save and publish the module.
Your changes only apply to the preset you have selected. To check your work, switch between Core and your new preset in the dropdown.
Presets use the normal module save and publish steps. You do not need to publish presets on their own.
Manage Presets
From the preset dropdown, you can also:
Duplicate a preset to use it as a starting point for a new one.
Rename a preset. Assets that already use the preset will not break.
Delete a preset. Assets that use the preset do not change right away. When a builder updates the module, it goes back to the Core preset.
What Changes in Each Preset
Some changes apply to every preset. Other changes apply to only one preset. A preset only saves the styles that are different from Core. When a preset saves its own value for a style, that style is "overridden" in that preset.
Change you make in the Module Builder | Where it applies |
Text, links, alt text or titles | All presets |
Adding, removing or moving elements | All presets |
A style change on Core that no preset has overridden (for example, text color) | Core and all presets |
A style change on Core that a preset has overridden (for example, button color) | Core and any preset that has not overridden it. Presets with their own value keep it. |
A style change while a preset is selected | That preset only |
Tip: If a change on Core does not show up in a preset, that preset has its own value for that style. Select the preset and change the style there.
Use a Preset in an Asset
Pick a Preset
Open your email or landing page in the editor.
Add the module to your asset. It starts on the Core preset.
Select the module.
Open the preset dropdown.
Choose the preset you want.
The module changes to the new look right away. If a module has no presets, you will not see the preset dropdown.
Things to keep in mind:
Each copy of a module has its own preset. Two copies of the same module in one email can use different presets.
Your preset choice is saved with the asset. It stays when you reload, clone the asset, or update the module.
Preview, PDF download and HTML download all show the preset you picked.
You can use presets and module variations on the same module. For example, pick a preset for the colors, then turn optional elements on or off.
Edit a Module After You Pick a Preset
A preset is a starting point. You can still edit the module in your asset, based on your usual editing permissions.
Shared edits stay. If you edit content, or a style the preset does not control, your edit stays when you switch presets.
Preset style edits are lost. If you edit a style the preset controls, such as button color, your edit is removed when you switch presets. It is also removed if you pick the same preset again. Knak warns you before it removes your edit.
Module Updates and Deleted Presets
When You Publish a Change
When you publish any change to a module, every asset that uses it is marked as out of date. This also happens when you only change a preset. When a builder updates the module in an asset, the asset keeps the preset it was using.
When You Delete a Preset
Deleting a preset does not change existing assets right away. Here is what happens when a builder updates the module in an asset that used the deleted preset:
The module goes back to the Core preset.
Knak tells the builder what was removed.
The builder can pick a different preset from the dropdown.
Limitations
Presets only change styles. They cannot change text, links, alt text or titles.
Presets cannot change the structure of a module. Structure means which elements a module has and where they sit, such as the number of columns.
Presets cannot show or hide elements. Use module variations for that.
You can only use one preset at a time on each module.
FAQs
I changed a style on Core. Why did some presets update and others did not?
A preset only keeps the styles you changed while that preset was selected. For every other style, the preset uses the value from Core.
The preset updates if you never changed that style in the preset. For example, if no preset has its own text color, changing the text color on Core changes it in every preset.
The preset does not update if you already changed that style in the preset. For example, if a preset has its own button color, changing the button color on Core does not change that preset. To update it, select the preset and change the color there.
I changed the text in one preset, and it changed in all of them. Why?
Text is shared by all presets. To use different text, build a separate module or edit the text in your asset.
I added an element in one preset, and it shows in every preset. Why?
Structure is shared by all presets. To make an element optional, use a module variation.
My button color edit disappeared when I switched presets. Why?
The preset controls the button color, so switching presets resets it. Knak warns you before this happens. Pick your preset first, then make your edit again.
Every email that uses my module says it is out of date. Why?
The module was published again, even if only a preset changed. Update the module in each asset. Your preset choice stays the same.
My module went back to the Core (default). Why?
An admin deleted the preset you were using, and the module was updated. Pick a different preset from the dropdown.
Need more help? Contact support via live chat within Knak using the chat bubble in the bottom right corner or email support@knak.com.