--- title: "Creating Memory Mates" slug: "creating-memory-mates" description: "Learn how to create a memory mate by organizing images, designing templates, and setting up products for personalized team and individual photos." updated: 2026-02-13T00:11:25Z published: 2026-02-13T00:11:25Z canonical: "help.timestone.com.au/creating-memory-mates" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.timestone.com.au/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Creating Memory Mates ## Scope A memory mate is defined as a product that combines the subject’s individual image with their corresponding team or group photo. There are three main steps in making a memory mate: 1. Organizing the data and images 2. Making the template 3. Setting up the product ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/MemMates_1.jpg) Figure 1: A memory mate > [!NOTE] > Before you begin > > This article assumes the user is familiar with basics of template design, along with data and image handling ****Further Reading: The Template Designer**** Products are the result of templates created in the Timestone applications [The Template Designer](/v1/docs/template-designer) ## Sample Template To follow along, download the sample template below. [](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/Soccer Mate.plt)Soccer Mate907.50 KB[](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/Soccer Mate.plt) ## Organizing the images and data Essentially, data and images need to be organized as follows: 1. Individual images matched to their subjects 2. The subjects be arranged into folders 3. Team or group images matched to their folders The principle is then quite simple. When a memory mate product is ordered for a subject, their individual image is placed in the product together with the team or group image that has been matched to the folder they belong to. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/MemMates_2.png) Figure 2: A sports job where each team's subjects have been arranged into folders ### Matching the team image to the appropriate folder It is assumed the reader is already familiar with the concepts and procedures of matching images to subjects. If however the user is not yet familiar with matching images to folders, the following will be useful. > [!TIP] > Important to understand > > A fundamental principle is that an image matched to a folder automatically ‘belongs’ to all the subjects in that folder. Several methods are available to match a team or group image to the appropriate folder. These include: 1. Manually, in Match Mode 1. [Match Mode](/v1/docs/match-mode) 2. By importing a text fle 1. [Importing Images via a Text File](/v1/docs/importing-images-via-a-text-file#importing-to-a-folder-or-family) 3. By using QR Codes 1. [QR Codes for Folder Images](/v1/docs/qr-codes-for-folder-images) 4. Using Face Recognition 1. [Using Facial Recognition with Folders](/v1/docs/using-group-images-to-add-subjects-to-a-folder) ## The memory mate template Essentially, a memory mate template contains two image holes - a standard hole for the subject's individual image and an image hole that calls the image that has been matched to the subject's folder. The latter is often referred to as a Folder Image. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/MemMates_4.png) Figure 3: A simple memory mate template. **To create the template:** 1. Start a new pack layout in NeoPack’s Template designer 2. Add the image hole for the subjects' individual image using the **Add image hole** tool 3. Add any text, graphics, and barcodes in the usual manner 4. Add a second image hole for the subjects' group image, selecting the **Fill hole with: Folder Image** radio button 5. Add the Product description and Code under File> Properties 6. Save the template ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/MemMates_5.png) Figure 4: The Image Hole menu with **Folder image** selected. > [!TIP] > Tip > > As with all templates, it is possible to use conditional text, prompt fields, variable graphics, and other data-controlled elements to dynamically alter the appearance of the template. > > Graphics, fonts, and colours can be changed based on data , or in some cases, according to customer responses captured via Online ordering > > This allows the same memory mate template to be used for multiple teams or sports, provided the basic layout does not change. ****Further Reading: Variable Elements on Templates**** When inputting either fixed or variable text into a text box on any template, it can be set as Conditional, meaning it will only appear if there is information in a specific field. [Conditional Text](/v1/docs/conditional-text) Prompt fields, also called prompt text, allow online customers to personalize Products with their own data. [Prompt Fields](/v1/docs/prompt-fields) Dynamically format any text on a template by introducing a field or fields with appropriate formatting tags. [Formatting Text Through Data](/v1/docs/styling-text-through-data) Rather than re-designing a template each time a graphic needs to change, the labeled holder references the graphic file from a data field. [Labeled Holders for variable graphics](/v1/docs/using-graphics-and-text-in-a-template#labeled-holders-for-variable-graphics) ## Setting up the Product Before the Memory Mate product can be ordered by any of the automated ordering methods, it is necessary to add the template as a Product in the Timestone Administrator (tsAdmin). Setting up a memory mate as a product is much the same as any other portrait item. To create the product: 1. Navigate to the Products tab in tsAdmin 2. Click the Green Plus Icon to create a new product 3. Enter a Code and Description 4. Enter the Type as **Portrait** 5. Enter the Template Key. This should match the previously entered key in the properties window of the template. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/MemMates_6.png) Figure 5: A memory mate product in tsAdmin --- ### FAQ #### How should I organize images and data for memory mates? Individual images should be matched to the appropriate record, and subjects should be placed into folders by team to match each individual with the correct group image. #### Does the product type matter when making a memory mate? Yes, the product type should be set to Portrait. If the Product is set to a different type, the product will not be assembled correctly. A product is any item produced in the apps. Simple prints, package prints, trader cards, groups, composites and digital files are all examples of products. Products are of different types. Portrait 'type' products often relate directly to a pack layout template. Other product types relate to a genre, such as composites, groups and digital image. One or more products are combined into a Package. tsAdmin also referred to as Timestone Administrator is a utility that allows the user to create working environments for the software. The type of product. The Product Type is compulsory. - Portrait - products created in NeoPack as pack layout templates - Portrait for family - as above but will use the image matched to the Family - Portrait for folder - as above but will use the image matched to the Folder - Composite - composite pages produced in NeoComposite - Group - named group products produced in NeoGroup - Image - the image, delivered as a digital download - Retouching - used to order retouching online The Template Key is assigned to pack layouts and pack item templates and is used by the software to find a template for the purpose of ordering.