Blog Post Template Design with GeneratePress & GenerateBlocks

Creating a custom blog post template with GeneratePress and GenerateBlocks can greatly enhance the consistency and style of your blog posts, ensuring that each one follows the same design without the need to manually adjust each post. Here’s a step-by-step guide based on the tutorial:

Step 1: Create Your Blog Post

• First, go to your WordPress dashboard and create a new blog post. Add your content, including the title, text, and any bullet points or other formatting you need.

Step 2: Set Up the Blog Post Template

• Navigate to Appearance > Elements in the WordPress dashboard.
• Click Add New Element and choose Block as the type.
• Title this element something like “Blog Post Template Design.”
• Set the Element Type to Content Template to ensure the template applies to your blog posts.

Step 3: Design the Template

1. Container Setup:
   • Add a container block with padding (e.g., 180px top, 60px bottom) and a light gray background. This will be the main background for your blog post header section.
   • Add a shape divider at the bottom of the container for a more dynamic design. Choose an angled divider and adjust its settings.
2. Add the Blog Post Metadata:
   • Insert a grid block with two columns (50% width each).
   • In the left column, add a headline block with dynamic data for the post date. Style it with uppercase letters, letter spacing, and a smaller font size.
   • Add another headline block for the post title, setting it as an H1 with dynamic data.
   • Below the title, add a GenerateBlocks image block with dynamic data for the author’s avatar. Adjust its size and shape as needed.
   • Add a text block with dynamic data for the author’s name, aligning it next to the avatar.
3. Add the Featured Image:
   • In the right column, add an image block and set it to display the featured image dynamically.
   • Adjust the size and add a drop shadow effect with rounded corners for a polished look.
4. Add the Blog Post Content:
   • Below the header section, create a new container for the blog post content.
   • Set the container’s width to 800px and add padding.
   • Insert a Dynamic Content block, selecting post content to automatically pull in the blog post content.

Step 4: Set the Template Display Rules

• Under Display Rules, set the location to Posts > All Posts. This ensures the template is applied to all your blog posts.

Step 5: Troubleshoot and Adjust

• If you encounter issues, such as layout conflicts with other elements, adjust the display rules to exclude certain elements from posts.
• You may need to create a layout element that sets the blog posts to full width and disables sidebars.

Step 6: Finalize and Review

• Publish your template and review it on your blog posts. Ensure that the design elements like the featured image, shape divider, and content alignment are working correctly.

Conclusion

With this setup, you’ll have a cohesive and stylish blog post template that pulls in dynamic content, making it easy to maintain a consistent look across all your posts. This method not only saves time but also ensures a professional appearance for your blog.