AWS SES Email Templates - Complete Guide

Learn how to create, test, and deploy professional email templates for Amazon Simple Email Service

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Understanding AWS SES Templates

Everything you need to know about SES email template system

What are SES Templates?

AWS SES templates are reusable email layouts stored in your AWS account. They support dynamic content through Handlebars syntax, allowing personalized emails at scale.

  • Store up to 10,000 templates per AWS account
  • Maximum template size: 500KB
  • Support for HTML and plain text versions
  • Built-in versioning and update capabilities

Handlebars Syntax

SES uses Handlebars templating for dynamic content insertion:

Hello {{name}},

Your order #{{orderNumber}} totaling {{total}} has been confirmed.

{{#each items}}
  - {{this.name}}: {{this.price}}
{{/each}}

{{#if isPremium}}
  Thank you for being a premium member!
{{/if}}

Common Template Types

Templates for every business need

Transactional Emails

  • Order confirmations
  • Password resets
  • Account notifications
  • Payment receipts
  • Shipping updates

Marketing Emails

  • Newsletters
  • Product launches
  • Promotional offers
  • Event invitations
  • Survey requests

System Notifications

  • Security alerts
  • System status updates
  • Error notifications
  • Backup confirmations
  • Usage reports

Template Code Examples

Production-ready templates you can use today

Basic SES Template Structure

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <title>{{subject}}</title>
    <style>
        body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; }
        .container { max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto; }
        .header { background: #007bff; color: white; padding: 20px; }
        .content { padding: 20px; }
        .footer { background: #f8f9fa; padding: 20px; text-align: center; }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <div class="container">
        <div class="header">
            <h1>{{companyName}}</h1>
        </div>
        <div class="content">
            <p>Hello {{customerName}},</p>
            <p>{{messageBody}}</p>
            {{#if ctaButton}}
            <a href="{{ctaLink}}" style="background: #007bff; color: white; padding: 10px 20px; text-decoration: none; border-radius: 5px;">{{ctaButton}}</a>
            {{/if}}
        </div>
        <div class="footer">
            <p>© {{year}} {{companyName}}. All rights reserved.</p>
        </div>
    </div>
</body>
</html>

Common Email Template Challenges

Problems developers face and how to solve them

⚠️

Outlook Rendering Issues

Outlook uses Microsoft Word's rendering engine, breaking modern CSS.

Solution:
  • Use table-based layouts
  • Inline CSS styles
  • Conditional comments for Outlook
  • Test with Litmus or Email on Acid
⚠️

Gmail 102KB Clipping

Gmail clips emails larger than 102KB, hiding content.

Solution:
  • Minimize HTML and CSS
  • Remove comments and whitespace
  • Host images externally
  • Use CSS shorthand properties
⚠️

Dark Mode Compatibility

Email clients handle dark mode differently, breaking designs.

Solution:
  • Use transparent PNGs
  • Add dark mode meta tags
  • Test color contrast
  • Use @media (prefers-color-scheme)
⚠️

Image Blocking

Many email clients block images by default.

Solution:
  • Always use alt text
  • Design for images-off viewing
  • Use HTML/CSS for buttons
  • Include text-based CTAs

Email Template Best Practices

Essential checklist for professional email templates

Design & Layout

  • Single column layout for mobile
  • 600px maximum width
  • 14px minimum font size
  • 44px minimum touch targets
  • High contrast colors (4.5:1 ratio)

Technical Requirements

  • Inline CSS styles
  • Table-based layout
  • UTF-8 character encoding
  • Preheader text included
  • Plain text version provided

Compliance & Legal

  • Unsubscribe link present
  • Physical address included
  • GDPR compliance
  • CAN-SPAM compliance
  • Accessible design (WCAG 2.1)

Testing & Validation

  • Cross-client testing completed
  • Spam score checked
  • Links verified
  • Mobile preview tested
  • Dark mode tested

Streamline Your Template Workflow with Semplates

The professional template editor designed specifically for AWS SES

Managing email templates directly in AWS SES can be challenging. The console lacks visual editing capabilities, version control is manual, and testing across email clients requires external tools. This is where Semplates transforms your workflow.

Visual Template Editor

Design emails with a drag-and-drop editor. No coding required, but full HTML access when you need it.

AWS Account Integration

Connect multiple AWS accounts securely. Deploy templates directly to SES with one click.

Team Collaboration

Work together with role-based permissions. Share templates, review changes, and maintain consistency.

Real-time Testing

Preview templates across 90+ email clients instantly. Ensure perfect rendering before deployment.

Start with the forever-free plan - Create up to 5 templates at no cost, perfect for small projects and testing.

Try Semplates Free →