Create a template

Create a template

Every pass you make starts from a template. The template holds the design and the rules behind a pass, and you build it once. From there you create as many passes as you need. This guide walks you through building a template in the Passcreator interface.

Before you start

You need a Passcreator account. You can build a complete template with a demo certificate, so you do not need your own Apple certificate yet. Keep one thing in mind. Passes made with a demo certificate cannot be updated later, and they carry a Passcreator logo. When you go live, switch to your own certificate.

Open the template wizard

Go to Templates in the left menu and click New Template. Choose Create new template. A short wizard opens and walks you through the basics.

The Templates page with the New Template menu open

Step 1. Name your template

Fill in three fields. Template Name is the name you see in the backend and it also shows on the pass. Organization is your company or the event organizer. Description explains the pass and helps people who use accessibility features. All three appear on the pass.

Wizard step 1 with name, organization and description filled in

Step 2. Choose a certificate

Pick the certificate that signs your passes. The demo certificate works while you test. When you are ready for real customers, choose your own certificate so you can update passes and drop the Passcreator logo. You manage certificates under Settings.

Step 3. Confirm the wallet apps

Passcreator supports Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, and both are on by default. You can add more wallet apps once you finish the wizard.

Step 4. Finish the setup

Upload a template icon. Apple Wallet shows this icon in push notifications and on the lock screen, so choose something clear. Passcreator also applies a default design and adds your contact details to the back of the pass. Click Create. The template opens in the editor.

The wizard completion step

Design your pass in the editor

The editor has a section menu on the left and a live preview on the right. The preview updates as you work. These are the sections you use most.

  • General. Set the pass type and review the basics like name and organization.
  • Design & Content. Add front fields and back fields, upload images, and set colors.
  • Barcode & NFC. Choose the barcode format and value.
  • Validity. Set an expiration date if the pass should stop working after a certain point.
  • Personalization. Define the fields that change for each pass holder.

Pick a pass type

Open General and then Pass Type. A pass can be a coupon, a store card, an event ticket, a generic card or a boarding pass. The event ticket comes in two layouts, one with a full size background and one with a smaller background image. Your choice changes the layout and the images the pass uses.

The Pass Type chooser in the editor

Add fields and images

Open Design & Content. Front fields show on the front of the pass. Back fields hold up to 20 text fields, and Apple requires contact information here, so add at least a phone number or an email address. Use Colors and Images to upload your logo and background and to set the pass colors. The preview shows the result right away.

The Design and Content section with a logo uploaded and the live preview
Tip. Each pass type needs images at specific sizes. See Image sizes for the exact values.

Set the barcode

Open Barcode & NFC to choose the barcode format and what it encodes. You can also click the barcode in the preview to edit it. Passcreator supports QR Code, Aztec, PDF417 and Code 128, and you can also create a pass without a barcode.

Save and publish

Click Save to store your work as a draft. The editor shows an Unpublished Changes badge until you publish. Click Publish changes to make the design live. Passcreator then rolls the changes out to your template and to passes already saved on phones.

What comes next

You have a template. Now create passes from it and get them to people. See Create a pass and the articles under Distributing passes.

Related articles

  • Image sizes
  • Barcode formats
  • Personalisation
  • Creating a certificate
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