So you need a proposal template that doesn’t look like it was made in 2002. You want something clean, flexible, and easy to reuse—without spending days wrestling with design tools. This guide is for anyone who wants to whip up a custom proposal template in Flowvella and actually enjoy the process.
No design degree required. No marketing buzzwords. Just clear steps, honest advice, and a few things to skip so you don’t waste time.
Why Use Flowvella for Proposal Templates?
Flowvella is a presentation tool, but it’s also surprisingly decent for building reusable proposals. If you’re tired of Word docs or clunky PDFs, it lets you build something that looks modern, works on any device, and is easy to update.
What it does well: - Drag-and-drop interface, so you’re not stuck in PowerPoint hell. - Templates speed up repetitive work. - Built-in media support (video, links, images) if you need to show more than just text.
What it doesn’t do: - It’s not a deep design tool—don’t expect Photoshop-level control. - Collaboration is a bit limited. It’s better for solo work or small teams. - If your proposal needs heavy legal formatting, this isn’t your tool.
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty.
Step 1: Get Clear on What Your Proposal Needs
Before you touch Flowvella, sketch out what your proposal actually needs. Templates save time only if you know what you’re repeating.
Ask yourself: - What sections do you always include? (Intro, scope, pricing, timeline, etc.) - Do you need to add images, charts, or videos? - Is your audience reading this on a phone, tablet, or laptop?
Grab a notepad or open a doc. List the must-have sections. Don’t overthink the design yet—just get the structure right.
Pro tip: Most proposals are too long. Cut what you don’t need.
Step 2: Set Up Your Flowvella Account
If you’re new to Flowvella, sign up for a free account. You’ll need a paid plan to remove branding and get better template controls, but you can try things out for free first.
- Go to Flowvella’s website and sign up.
- Confirm your email and log in.
- Install the desktop app if you prefer working offline (it’s optional, but some find it faster).
Heads up: The web version is pretty solid for most users. The app is only needed if you want offline access or you’re working with very large files.
Step 3: Start a New Presentation and Choose a Base Template
Flowvella calls everything a “flow,” but don’t let the jargon throw you. Think of it as a presentation or document.
- Click “New Flow.”
- Browse the templates. Pick something clean and minimal—ignore the overdesigned ones.
- If nothing fits, start with a blank flow.
What to ignore: Don’t waste time customizing every color or font right away. Get the layout and structure down first.
Step 4: Create a Simple, Repeatable Slide Structure
This is where you build the bones of your template. Each “slide” (Flowvella calls them screens) is a section of your proposal.
Typical structure: 1. Cover Slide: Proposal title, your logo, client name. 2. Introduction: Quick summary or problem statement. 3. Scope/Deliverables: Bullet points of what you’ll do. 4. Timeline: Table or simple timeline graphic. 5. Pricing: Clear, simple numbers (no one likes surprises). 6. About Us/Testimonials (optional): Brief, don’t overdo it. 7. Next Steps/Call to Action: How to accept, contact info, etc.
To build: - Add new screens for each section. - Drag in text boxes, images, or shapes as needed. - Keep each screen focused—don’t cram multiple sections together.
Keep it simple: White space is your friend. A cluttered proposal looks desperate.
Step 5: Add Your Branding Without Overkill
You want your proposal to look like you, but not like you spent hours fiddling with gradients.
- Upload your logo and tuck it into a corner (top right or left is standard).
- Set your main brand color for headlines or section dividers.
- Pick 1-2 fonts. Stick with readable ones—no script fonts for body text.
Avoid: - Giant watermarks. - Distracting backgrounds. - Fonts that don’t render well on mobile.
Pro tip: Preview your proposal on a phone. If your logo or colors look weird, tone them down.
Step 6: Drop in Placeholder Content
Tempting as it is to fill out a real proposal, start with sample text (“Client Name,” “Project Description,” etc.) so it’s easy to duplicate later.
- Use brackets or bold to indicate where the real info goes:
- “Dear [Client Name],”
- “Our solution: [Describe offering here].”
For tables (like pricing or timeline), add sample rows with labels like: - [Service] - [Cost] - [Delivery Date]
This makes it clear what should be replaced each time.
Step 7: Add Media (If It Actually Helps)
Flowvella shines if you want to add videos, product demos, or interactive elements. But don’t add media just because you can.
Good use cases: - Quick intro video to personalize your pitch. - Product screenshots or before/after images. - Short testimonial clips.
Bad use cases: - Long, generic videos that eat bandwidth. - Slideshows of stock photos (no one cares).
To add media: - Click the media icon and choose your file or paste a link. - Test the playback on desktop and mobile.
Pro tip: If you’re sending proposals to corporate folks, check if their company firewalls block video embeds.
Step 8: Lock Down the Structure
Once you’re happy with the layout and placeholders, save your file as a custom template.
- In Flowvella, use the “Duplicate” or “Save as Template” feature.
- Name it something clear: “Acme Proposal Template.”
- Store it in a folder everyone on your team can access (if you’re not solo).
This way, you won’t accidentally overwrite your master template next time you do a proposal.
Step 9: Test, Share, and Get Feedback
Before you roll out your shiny new template, test it in the real world.
- Share a draft with a coworker or friend. Ask: Is it clear? Is anything missing?
- Send a sample proposal to yourself and view it on different devices.
- Check that images, fonts, and videos display properly everywhere.
Bugs or weird formatting? Fix them now, not when you’re in a rush.
Step 10: Use, Tweak, and Don’t Overcomplicate
Now you’re ready to use your custom template. Each time you need a new proposal: - Duplicate the template. - Fill in the real client info. - Export or share via Flowvella’s sharing options (PDF, web link, etc.).
Don’t spend hours re-tweaking the design for every proposal. The point of a template is to save time. If something’s not working, tweak the template—not every copy.
What to Ignore (and What to Keep Simple)
- Animations: Flowvella has some, but they rarely add value to a proposal.
- Stock filler: Only use images or icons that support your message.
- Overly complex navigation: Keep it linear. No one wants to “explore” a proposal.
If a feature looks cool but adds no substance, skip it. Focus on clarity and ease of use.
Wrapping Up: Iterate, Don’t Overthink
Building a proposal template isn’t a one-and-done job. Start simple, use it in the wild, and improve it over time. The best templates are the ones you actually use—not the ones you spend weeks perfecting.
If you end up hating something about your template, fix it next time. The goal is to get proposals out faster, not to win design awards. Keep it simple, be direct, and move on to the real work—winning clients.