admin In 2026, Figma continues to dominate as the essential tool for UI/UX designers, and crafting reusable Figma templates remains a game-changer for project efficiency. But what separates viral hits on the Figma Community from the rest? A reliable Figma design workflow.
This guide details how to create Figma templates from the ground up via a professional 7-step process. Ideal for UI kits, dashboards, or social graphics, these Figma best practices help you produce customizable, scalable templates.
At Dreams Technologies, we’ve applied this workflow to hundreds of top templates for POS systems, web apps, and beyond. Dive in to optimize your Figma workflow and design for success.
Why a Structured Figma Template Workflow Matters in 2026
Unplanned Figma sessions often yield uneven templates that confuse users. A methodical Figma template design workflow guarantees polished layouts, smart components, and practical usability crucial for Figma Community traction.
Winning templates predict user demands, such as auto-layout for adaptability or variables for seamless adjustments. Without structure? Brace for revisions, style clashes, and low adoption.
The 7-Step Workflow for Figma Templates
Step 1: Define Your Figma Template’s Purpose (Before Opening Figma)
Diving into Figma planless is a top error in how to create Figma templates. Begin with sharp focus on these basics:
- Template Type: Specify for precision. Examples:
- Instagram carousel templates for SaaS marketing.
- E-commerce dashboard templates for inventory tracking.
- Mobile onboarding flows for fitness apps.
- Target Users: Customize to their level.
- Beginners: Include tooltips and guides.
- Experts: Emphasize advanced variants.
- Factor in devices (desktop/mobile) and challenges (e.g., rapid edits for marketers).
- Core Message: What behavior does it prompt? (e.g., conversions, narratives). This drives hierarchy and CTAs.
Pro Tip: Sketch a one-page brief in FigJam. Circulate for alignment—prevents in-process shifts and streamlines your Figma design workflow.
Step 2: Curate Figma Template References Efficiently
Great templates draw from targeted inspiration, not endless browsing. Assemble a focused library for your Figma template workflow.
Top Sources for Figma Template Ideas:
- Figma Community: Hunt “UI kits” or “dashboard templates” for popular files.
- Dribbble/Behance: Sort by engagement for standout layouts.
- Competitors: Capture best-sellers from Creative Market.
- Brands: Study Notion or Spotify’s shared Figma resources.
Step 3: Outline the Content Structure
Plan what goes where before designing visuals. This is your roadmap.
Build a hierarchy:
- Social carousel: Slide 1: Hook + image. Slide 2: Problem. Slides 3-5: Tips. Slide 6: Call to action.
- Dashboard: Top metrics, charts, actions, notifications, nav.
- Landing page: Hero, proof, features, pricing, footer.
Add details:
- Headline lengths.
- Image/icon spots.
- Button text and positions.
- Legal notes.
Step 4: Sketch a Basic Wireframe
Skip colors for now. Use plain boxes to build the foundation.
Focus on:
- Layout: Rectangles for blocks. Use 12-column grids and 8-point spacing for rhythm.
- Hierarchy: Size and position show importance. Squint-test: Is it clear?
- Spacing: Even gaps, padding, and white space group elements nicely.
A strong wireframe makes adding style easy.
Step 5: Add Visual Branding
Now, layer in personality without losing usability.
Colors:
- Primary: For brands and actions.
- Secondary: Accents.
- Neutrals: Text/backgrounds.
- Semantics: Green for success, red for errors.
- Save as Figma styles for easy tweaks.
Typography:
- Scales: Display (48-72px), H1 (36-48px), H2 (24-32px), Body (14-16px).
- Pair: Bold headline font + clean body font.
Elements:
- Consistent icons, illustrations, photos (with filters), shapes, patterns.
Components:
- Reusable: Buttons, inputs, cards, nav. Use variants for states.
Checklist:
- Colors from palette.
- Fonts in hierarchy.
- Even icons/spacing/radius/shadows.
This creates a unified, pro look.
Step 6: Test with Real Content
Placeholders lie. Swap in real stuff to spot issues.
Test for:
- Text: Short/long headlines, line breaks, no truncation.
- Images: Real photos, ratios, quality fits.
- Data: Numbers, empty states, charts (for dashboards).
Dreams Technology’s Method:
- Make 3-5 real versions.
- Let a newbie test it.
- Fix confusions.
- Repeat for smoothness.
This ensures templates work, not just look good.
Step 7: Polish and Export
Final tweaks make it user-friendly.
Checks:
- Readability: Zoom levels, contrast (WCAG AA: 4.5:1), no buried info.
- Balance: Even weight, alignment, spacing; cut extras.
- Mobile: 375px width, 44px touch targets, scalable images.
Exports:
- Web: 2x PNG/JPG.
- Print: PDF with fonts.
- Devs: SVG icons.
- Social: Sized right.
File prep:
- Logical groups, clear names.
- Cover page, guidelines, notes.
Docs include:
- Start guide, custom tips, links, license, support.
Checklist:
- Licensed assets.
- Organized file.
- Full variants.
- Optimized size.
- Killer thumbnail.
What Makes Dreams Technologies Templates Special
We’ve improved this workflow for global clients.
Our edge:
- User research first.
- Modular components for easy edits.
- Real-scenario tests.
- Full guides/videos/support.
- Trend updates.
- Niche tweaks (e.g., retail POS flows).
See it live: figma.com/@dreamstech
Looking Ahead to 2026
Core steps stay solid, but trends evolve:
- AI for quick wireframes.
- Smart components with Figma variables.
- Design system ties.
- Cross-device flow.
- Built-in accessibility (WCAG).
Winners blend classics with new tools.
Process Unlocks Creativity
A workflow isn’t a cage—it’s freedom. It handles basics so you can innovate: Delight users, add surprises, balance fun and function.
Try it:
- Bookmark this.
- Brief your next project.
- Build a reference file.
- Test current templates.
- Check Dreams Technology examples.
Templates thrive on process + empathy + detail.
Ready? Explore Dreams Technology’s collection—built this way, proven to speed your work.
