Graphic Novel Template
Our Graphic Novel Template is designed for comic books, graphic novels, and other illustrated storytelling formats. Unlike other templates, this is not for creating the final illustrated version of a graphic novel. Instead, it serves as a structured script that provides clear instructions for illustrators.
All of our document template's line types have been formatted to follow a traditional pattern of progression based on industry standards.
In This Article
Graphic Novel Template Tutorial Video
Apply Graphic Novel Template
This will affect the entire document and adjust all formatting.
- Select Format > Document Template > Default Templates
- Select Graphic Novel Template
- If there is content in the document, it will ask if you want to confirm the template change.
- Select Apply Template
Core Line Types
These six line types form the foundation of the graphic novel format and are the most commonly used.
- Page – Indicates a new page in the script
- The page and panel numbers in this line type auto-update as you add additional pages and panels.
- You can add text to this line type; however, the auto-generated numbers are not editable.
- Panel – Represents a new panel within a page
- Like the Page line type, the panel numbers are auto-generated as you add them.
- You can add text to these lines, but the numbers are not editable.
- Action – Describes the visuals within a panel, including characters, setting, and physical actions
- Character – The name of a speaking character, formatted in uppercase
- Dialogue – Character speech, appearing within speech bubbles in the final product
- Parenthetical (Parens) – Provides direction for how a line is delivered or mid-dialogue actions
Additional Line Types
- Caption – Used for narration, inner thoughts, or scene transitions, appearing within boxes in the final product
- SFX (Sound Effects) – Describes sounds that should be visually illustrated, such as
BANG!orWHOOSH! - Image – Allows inserting multimedia such as images, videos, or reference sketches
- Text – Unformatted lines for miscellaneous content, often used for production notes
Outlining Line Types
- Notes – Indented comments for reference, not counted in the page count
- Outline – Provides structural guidance, hidden unless Show Outline is enabled
- Sequence – Groups scenes into story beats, with similar functionality across templates