Export Errors
Exporting email templates from Postcards to platforms like Outlook, Mailchimp, or HubSpot, etc., can sometimes encounter issues, such as misaligned content, missing images, or platform-specific errors. This guide walks you through some export issues and how to fix them, so your beautiful designs show up just the way you intended.
Export Issues (and What They Mean)
Here are the most common problems users run into when exporting email templates:
Text and Images Look Wrong or Go Missing: Sometimes, content looks jumbled, or images don’t load correctly.
Export Limits Reached: Even after upgrading your plan, you might still hit a limit that stops you from exporting more.
Platform Import Fails: Your template just won’t load into platforms like Mailchimp, HubSpot, Outlook, Zoho, etc.
Layout Problems: Things like alignment, fonts, or grid layouts shift after export.
Too Much Code: If your email code is over 102KB, some platforms might reject or break it.
HTML or Copy Errors: The copied HTML doesn’t paste properly or can’t be edited in the platform.
Platform-Specific Glitches:
- Background images disappear in Outlook
- HubSpot doesn’t show your preview text
- Constant Contact flags your links as unsafe
- Zoho has API header or workspace issues
- Server Errors: You might see a “failed to export” message with no clear reason why.
When Do These Issues Happen?
Most export issues pop up when:
- You're exporting to a specific email platform (Outlook, Mailchimp, HubSpot, etc.)
- The exported email looks different from what you built (alignment, missing features)
- You’re working around size limits, file types, or copy/paste errors
- Your account hits Postcards’ export counter limit
Easy Fixes to Try First
Before diving into platform-specific fixes, try these general solutions:
- Clear Your Cache: Try exporting in an incognito/private browser window, or clear your cache first.
- Use ZIP Export: Instead of copying code, try “Download as ZIP” with the “Host images/fonts online” option turned on. This helps make sure everything loads properly.
- Stuck on Export Limits? Even if you’ve upgraded, limits might be stuck, just reach out to Postcards support and ask for a reset.
Platform-Specific Fixes
Here’s how to handle common issues on popular platforms:
Outlook
- Export as
.OFT
(Windows) or.EMLTPL
(Mac). - Avoid background images, they’re not well supported.
- Try “Export as Image” if layout issues persist.
Mailchimp
- Remove emojis from your project name, as they can block exports.
- Finish all edits in Postcards before exporting, Mailchimp limits editing imported templates.
- Use Postcards’ Preview feature and test your design with a live send.
HubSpot
- Add preview text in Postcards under Project Settings.
- Include HubSpot’s
{{ web_version_url }}
for browser view links. - If your template doesn’t appear after export, duplicate the project and try again.
Zoho Campaigns
- Make sure the correct workspace and API domain are set up.
- If automatic export fails, manually upload the ZIP export.
Constant Contact
- Double-check integration settings.
- If your links are marked as unsafe, contact their support team for help.
Other Platforms (Klaviyo, Brevo, Braze, Salesforce, etc.)
- Use Postcards’ Email Preview to spot potential issues early.
- Try “Download as ZIP” with hosting toggled ON to ensure assets load.
- For tough cases, check with your platform’s support.
Fixing Layout and Code Size Issues
- Grid/Alignment Problems? Check the HTML after export and adjust any grid sections if needed.
- Code Over 102KB? Simplify your layout or reduce repeated sections. Postcards is also working on updates to help with this automatically.
- Mobile Misalignment? Use Postcards’ mobile preview to check your design and tweak settings before exporting.
HTML Copy & Paste Tips
- Follow Platform Instructions: Don’t paste the full HTML into
<head>
or<body>
unless the platform specifically asks for that. - Use “Copy Email Code” from Postcards instead of selecting/copying manually.
- Re-Export After Edits: If you make layout or mobile fixes, re-export your template using ZIP or HTML copy.
Final Tips
To avoid issues when exporting from Postcards:
- Clear your browser cache or use private mode
- Use ZIP export with hosted images/fonts for best compatibility
- Preview and test your email before importing it into any platform
If you run into errors you can’t fix, don’t hesitate to contact Postcards support; we're here to help you get your emails out the door and into inboxes smoothly.