Even though the CSS features was enabled a long time ago, it seems that there are still a lot of people who are struggling with templates – no matter in which way.
And with every new upgrade the confusion increases a bit more. That’s why I tried to put together the most important information for the feature everyone wants to use, but sadly can’t due to lacking knowledge or missing requirements.

If I missed to explain something in this news article and/or you have a certain question, feel free to leave a comment or even better write a note



Requirements
Before you even can think about using CSS for your gallery or journal, you should make sure that you able to make use of that feature.
A lot of people – especially since the release of the install feature – are asking me, why they can’t use my templates.

The answer is pretty much simple. As a regular member you need to have a subscription / Premium Membership. What does that mean?

It just means, that you have to pay for that feature. You don’t have money for that, no credit card/ paypal account or your parents don’t allow you to pay for it?
Well how about trying to win one? There are plenty of contents with subscription as prizes. Or maybe ask a friend to buy you one, but offer something in return!

Have no idea if you are already a Premium Member?
That can be easily fixed. Ever recognized that little symbol next to your user name? It will tell you what kind of member you are!

Simplified it means:
~ are non subscriber – you won’t be able to use CSS, everyone else can.

Related FAQ:
FAQ #106: What are the symbols in front of each deviants nickname?
FAQ #66: As a premium member, what extra journal features will I have access to?

Got it?
Well then let’s go on!





Where do I get a fancy template from and what are the differences?
Well how about looking at the dA galleries?
There are two(actually three) where you can find nice free templates. Make sure that you read the descriptions of those templates. Why? Simply because they contain important information.


Journal Skins
Journal Skins are the newest feature brought to you by the awesome people of dA. And they allow it to install CSS templates which just one click. But with that you usually get just the basic code, or those that need to be applied to the Skin Header/Skin Footer area.

So if the preview of a Journal Skins templates offers more than just fancy text, take a closer look at the description to get some more code.

By using Journal Skins the original creator always gets credited and a backlink to the creator and original file will be added at the bottom of your journal.
So if you see a nice template you want to use too, take a look at the bottom, to check if there is such a link.

And where can you find these templates? Right here [link]

Related FAQ:
FAQ #62: How do I use Journal skins?
FAQ #67: How do I share Journal Skins?


Complete Journal CSS
Complete Journal CSS is the older way of getting a nice template. Everything that you get from that gallery needs a bit more work than just one click at the install button.
First of all you have to download all required files for that template. Usually it comes in a packed format and after unpacking those files, you’ll get a bunch of images and codes.

Most people write instruction files to help you to get the journal working. Take a look at them. And additionally the description below the deviation.
Often you have to host the image of a certain template and add their image paths first, before you can start using your new template.

Using this kind of templates involves a bit more work, but it also mean that you will be able to learn a bit more. Additionally there are more templates to choose from at the moment.

Where can you find these templates? Right here [link]

Related FAQ:
FAQ #69: Can I use animated images within my journal, journal CSS or journal background?


Gallery CSS
Even though most people just use the CSS feature to pimp their journal, you can style your galleries as well. Not the featured page, but all your custom folders.
And this feature also works for your favourites folder!

For journal template you can choose between the install option or the old manual way to use them. For gallery templates you don’t have this option. You need to download the required files and add everything on your own.
And once again read the description or instructions. They will help you.

Gallery CSS can either be found as single or combined deviations in the Complete Journal CSS gallery (see link above), but also here: [link]

Related FAQ:
FAQ #760: Can I add CSS to my main gallery page?

FAQ #671: How do I change the style of my Gallery Folders?





What if I want to make my own templates?
Well if you are familiar with CSS and a bit of HTML, then go ahead and write down your code at the journal page. The CSS of journals is a bit restricted and has a pre defined structure, so make sure to get used to it first. It’s a bit different to usual coding.

And if you aren’t familiar with coding, then I would suggest to search for a helpful tutorials. You can find plenty here on dA that explain the way to use CSS for journals and galleries. But if you want to start with CSS in general, I would recommend a website about CSS and HTML only in your preferred language.

Tutorials from your fellow dA members can either be found in the dA related gallery [link] or in the resources gallery [link]

I could list some tutorials that I think that will be helpful, but everyone explains things in a different way and the best is to find out on your own, which ones will help you more to understand the whole issue.

And if you get stuck at a certain point, there is always the option to ask some of the plenty CSS providers for help or to search for help in the programming forum [link] .





I can’t code, but want a custom journal/gallery template!

There are two ways of getting a nice personal template. No matter which way you prefer, ask first before you “demand” a template.
A list of people that can be contacted for requests or commissions can be found here [link]

Requests
The first way is to find a person who can code and who is also willing to do it for free. As those people don’t ask for anything in return be decent and don’t ask for too much right at the beginning.
And before you immediately write a long note with a detailed description of what you like, ask first! Some people are up for requests, but if they think they have no time, they might refuse.

Commissions
Well this way is a bit more expensive most of the time, but usually you can “demand” more, which doesn’t mean that you can bitch around all the time or that people will spent weeks/months on a template, because you always find something new that you want to be changed.
When paying someone for a template, make sure that you already have an idea in mind. Describe it as close as possible. Show similar templates, make a color palette… give all information you can. By doing so the chances of being disappointed of something you paid for are lesser.

And like for requests: ask first! Some people may refuse to do it, because they know that they can’t turn your idea into a reality.





I have heard something of Gruze – what is that?
If you click this [link] you can see deviations related to gruze.
Basically Gruze is the name of the new coding structure that dA is using since a while now. It’s responsible for the fancy round borders you can see everywhere, but also for the light green colors.
So it’s no new junk food or any kind of bacteria that will kill you. It is just that what is lying “behind” the website.

For the journals it means that your can still choose if you want to code for the old structure or for the new (gruze) one. Both still works, you just have to take care of different class names and pre made definitions.

For a general overview you can take a look at this deviation [link]


<sub>Alternative titles suggested by ^Hanratty-Stock
ginkgografix and the codes of doom!
ginkgografix's gems!
ginkgografix's get to knows!
ginkgografix's gonads!
ginkgografix's gallery stuffs!



If you found any mistakes, keep them! I will make more.</sub>
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