Newspaper template
Make your own newspaper front page in minutes. Add a masthead, headline, and articles, pick a style, and download it in Word or PDF. Free, and no sign-up.
Choose a style
Masthead
Lead story
Second story (optional)
- A newspaper front page has a few classic parts: a masthead, a dateline, a big headline, a byline, and columns of text.
- Keep the masthead name short and the headline punchy. The columns are where your story goes.
- Pick a type above to load a full example, then replace it with your own words.
- Switch between 8 styles and 2 or 3 columns to get the look you want.
On this page
What is a newspaper template, and what is it for?
A newspaper template is a ready-made front-page layout you fill with your own headline and stories. Instead of fighting with columns and text boxes in a word processor, you type into a form and watch a proper newspaper page build itself, complete with a masthead across the top and articles flowing into columns.
People reach for one for all sorts of reasons. Teachers and students use it for class projects and school papers, families turn it into a holiday newsletter, and plenty of people make a mock or vintage newspaper as a keepsake, a gag gift, or a fun way to announce big news like a wedding or a new baby. Whatever the occasion, the goal is the same: a page that looks like it came off a real press, without needing design software.
The parts of a newspaper front page
Newspapers have their own vocabulary, and knowing the pieces makes the template easy to fill in.
- Masthead. The paper’s name in large type at the very top, sometimes called the nameplate.
- Motto. A short slogan under the name, like “All the news that’s fit to print.”
- Dateline. The strip below the masthead with the city, date, volume or issue number, and price.
- Headline. The big, bold title of the lead story.
- Deck. A smaller subhead under the headline that adds a little more.
- Byline. The “By …” credit naming who wrote the article.
- Columns. The body text, split into two or three narrow columns like a real paper.
Types of newspaper you can make
Each tab above loads a different example and a matching style, so you have a running start.
- Classic. A traditional front page, the everyday broadsheet look.
- School. A student or classroom newspaper for projects and clubs.
- Family. A family newsletter to catch everyone up, great for the holidays.
- Vintage. An old-time, historical look for a keepsake or a school history project.
- Tabloid. Big, bold, attention-grabbing headlines in the tabloid style.
- Wedding. A fun “special edition” to celebrate or announce a wedding.
- Birthday. A personalized celebration paper for someone’s big day.
- Blank. An empty front page to build entirely your own way.
How to make your newspaper, step by step
With the generator above it takes just a few minutes. Choose a type, then:
- Name your paper in the masthead, and add a motto if you like.
- Fill in the dateline: city, date, volume or issue, and price.
- Write your lead headline, a short subhead, and a byline.
- Type your main article, leaving a blank line between paragraphs.
- Add a second, smaller story if you want one.
- Pick a style, choose two or three columns and a color, then download in Word or PDF.
Writing headlines and articles
A good headline is short, specific, and active. Aim for a handful of strong words that tell the reader exactly what happened, “Local Team Wins Championship” rather than “A Report on the Recent Game.” Present tense and plain words make it feel like a real front page. The deck underneath is your chance to add the one extra detail the headline left out.
For the article itself, journalists use the inverted pyramid: put the most important facts, the who, what, when, and where, in the very first paragraph, then add detail in order of importance. That way a reader gets the gist immediately, and the story still reads well even if it is trimmed to fit. Keep paragraphs short, since narrow columns make long blocks of text look dense.
Styles, columns, and color
The style panel gives you eight distinct looks, from a Classic serif masthead to a Modern sans-serif, an old-time Vintage treatment, a loud Tabloid, and a clean Minimal design. Each one changes the fonts and the rules around the masthead, so the same story can feel like a stately broadsheet or a punchy tabloid with one click.
You can also choose two or three columns and set an accent color for the masthead and rules. Traditional papers are black, which is the default, but a splash of color suits a school paper or a family newsletter nicely. Try a few combinations, since the right style depends entirely on the occasion.
Download in Word, PDF, or copy the text
The generator gives you three ways to use your newspaper:
Word (.doc)
Editable in Microsoft Word or Google Docs if you want to tweak it further.
The best way to print your front page. Choose “Save as PDF”.
Copy text
Paste the words into a doc or an email.
Tip: for a school or family project, the PDF prints cleanly on standard paper. If you want to add photos, drop the Word file into Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or a tool like Canva and place images where you like.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make my own newspaper?
Pick a type above, then fill in the masthead name, the dateline, a headline, and your article text. The page builds a real front-page layout as you type, with your story flowing into columns. Choose a style and download it in Word or PDF.
Can I make a school newspaper with this?
Yes. Choose the School tab for a student-newspaper example, then replace it with your class’s stories. It is a popular choice for journalism clubs and classroom projects, and the printable PDF works cleanly for handouts.
Can I make a vintage or old-fashioned newspaper?
Yes. The Vintage tab loads an old-time front page, and the Vintage style gives the masthead a historical look. It is great for history projects, keepsakes, and mock newspapers.
How do I add photos to my newspaper?
The generator builds a clean text layout. To add images, download the Word file and open it in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, or use a design tool like Canva, then place your photos where you want them.
Can I change the number of columns?
Yes. Use the columns control to switch between two and three columns. Two columns suit shorter stories, while three give a denser, more traditional newspaper feel.
How do I download my newspaper in Word or PDF?
Fill in your content, pick a style, then use the Word, PDF or Copy buttons above the preview. The Word file opens in Microsoft Word or Google Docs and stays editable. No account or email is required.
Is this newspaper template really free?
Yes. Every style and download on this page is free, with no sign-up and no watermark. Make as many front pages as you like.