Summary: This article outlines in general terms the steps to take to get a Theme item prepared for uploading. It does not include Wordpress items, which have their own requirements; Wordpress Requirements.
Please note: Certain types of Themes have specific requirements to sell the item on Envato. Please refer to the Technical Requirements under this theme category for more specific information related to your item type.
1. Save your main file(s)
2. Check your assets
3. Create your help file documentation
4. Choose an Item Title
5. Final Steps
6. Upload your file to ThemeForest!
1. Save your main file(s)
- Organize your file and documentation so that it is easy to view, edit and understand. Group, label and organize common elements so that buyers are able to easily edit your file. The more editable your file is, the more valuable it is to buyers.
- Ensure that your code is validated and in a style that represents the latest and best practices in the industry.
If you’re submitting:
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Joomla, Drupal, OpenCart or osCommerce themes, ensure that your theme contains a GPL licensing directory. Create a directory inside your .zip called "Licensing" and place inside it the two .txt files which we provide here for each type of theme. Learn more about GPL and ThemeForest here.
Note: You do not have to do this for WordPress themes. The license details will be automatically attached to WordPress uploads. - Magento and PrestaShop themes, create a directory inside your .zip called "Licensing" and place inside it the two .txt files which we provide here for each of these types of themes licensed under the OSL v.3.
- Email Templates, ensure that your submission adheres to email design standards (using tables and inline CSS) and displays consistently across a variety of email clients. See CampaignMonitor's guide.
- PSD Templates, ensure your layers are grouped and named in a clear and organized way.
2. Check your assets:
Licenses:
- Make sure you have the correct licenses for any assets you have included in your item. This includes assets that are in your Item Preview only; you will still need a commercial license for preview assets.
- If you have assets that are linked to the main file, be certain you've included them in your .zip file. For these assets you will need to ensure you have a commercial redistribution license (the rights to re-sell that asset).
- Check if any of the assets you have used require attribution
- Please read What assets can i use in my items, for more information on choosing assets to include in your items.
Malicious Content
- Check that your item does not contain any malware or viruses.
- We take security very seriously, and may need to take action such as removing items or accounts and contacting affected customers if viruses or malicious software is found in your item.
3. Create your help file documentation
- Every item in ThemeForest requires a basic documentation file to help customers use your item. This should include:
- Concise instructions on installation, customization and use
- General instructions or further information
- Details and links to assets used that you need to credit
- The documentation should be written in English and formatted as a .pdf or HTML document.
- You may create a screencast or flash instructions in addition to, but not instead of, text instructions.
- You can download this documentation template.
Do not assume that the buyer of your item has any significant level of coding knowledge. When preparing your documentation, treat the buyer like a beginner. Incorporate clear explanations and visuals when necessary.
4. Choose an Item Title
You won’t need to enter the title until you upload your item, but there are important rules to think about.
- Your title is the first thing a potential buyer sees, so it's important to be informative, concise and professional. Include the most relevant information only; a title made up of vague advertising buzzwords is less effective than one that is clear and descriptive.
- You must specify in your title if the item is a WordPress Theme or a HTML/Email/PSD Template or Template Kit.
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- Unique item titles that are easy to remember are more effective in creating a brand. For newly published Items, you must include your brand name at the beginning of your item title
- For example “Avada” is the brand name and “Avada | Website Builder For WordPress & WooCommerce” is the full title.
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- You can only market your item as a "site builder" or "website builder" if your item includes a builder plugin that you created. If your item includes a third-party builder plugin such as WP Bakery Page Builder or prompts the user to install Elementor from wp.org, then you can say "includes site builder" but cannot present it as site builder or include related terms in the title.
Examples of Acceptable Titles:
- Revirta | Virtual Assistant WordPress Theme
- Lami | Recipe Blogging WordPress Theme
What’s not OK:
- Do not spam your item title with keywords; either multiple keywords or the same words repeated more than once. This is known as keyword stuffing.
- Your item title must not be misleading to customers by replicating or impersonating another Envato or external item.
- Do not use the word “Pro” in your item title unless you have a lite version available on Wordpress.org. See the Exclusivity Policy for more information.
- Do not include subjective terms like brilliant, amazing, or best. These words describe your opinion rather than what the file actually is, and aren't helpful for potential buyers.
- Do not use any words or phrases in languages other than English.
- The only exception to this is for foreign expressions that are known to be used in English, for example “Carpe Diem - Wedding HTML Template” or “Bon Voyage - Travel WordPress Theme” would be acceptable.
Examples of Unacceptable Titles;
- Photography - Photo Theme for Photographers - This is keyword stuffing.
- Kapow | Karate, Ninja, Kickboxing, Sports HTML Template - This is keyword stuffing.
- Avaada | Responsive Theme - Misleading to customers by replicating or impersonating another Envato item.
- Revirta | The Best WordPress Theme - Use of subjective words in the Item Title.
Remember that it is your responsibility to comply with the intellectual property rights of others. Please ensure that you have also read the article on Trademark Use and Real World Products Guidelines on the use of trademarks in your item titles.
5. Final Steps
- Put your finished design and all supporting information into a single .Zip folder.
- Note: It is recommended that you watermark the images in your live preview template. Unfortunately no live preview can be totally secure, and it is a trade off. In the long run, live previews will sell more files than they lose.
- 2GB is the maximum recommended file size for item asset zip files.
- Check that your preview images, thumbnail, description and tags follow our formatting standards.
6. Upload your file to ThemeForest!
Refer to Uploading instructions or go straight to the upload page if you already know how to upload.