# 9 Ideas to Create the Best Email Header Design in 2026

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## Table of contents

- What are email headers?
- Ideal email header dimensions
- Ideas to create the best email header design
- How to design email headers in Mailmodo
- Final takeaway

Email headers are the key to making a great first impression on your subscribers because they are the first element they see when they open your email. It can entice people and compel them to scroll down and check out the entire email when designed well. So, you must make the most of this component by making the right impression and capturing your readers' attention.

> You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.
>
>\- Will Rogers


Don't fret if you have no clue how to use them. We have compiled this guide to tell you all you need to know about **email header design.**

## What are email headers?
In casual terms, the email header refers to the section that displays the sender, recipient, and [subject line](https://www.mailmodo.com/email-subject-lines/). In email marketing, however, the email header refers to the **visual element at the top of your email** or the HTML header that subscribers see after they open it. The primary email copy and footer come after the header.

This email header serves as your **digital storefront window**. So, it needs to be compelling enough to attract them to engage with the rest of your email content.
![HTML format](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720630005/strapi/10_03e0b5f254.png)
The email header design usually contains the company's name, logo, or even a line about some discount or free shipping offered, highlighted with clarity similar to [Metrobi Miami courier](https://metrobi.com/courier-services/fl/miami/) messaging.

In the example below, [Mailmodo](https://www.mailmodo.com/) has put its logo in the header and an option to invite a friend.

![mailmodo email header design](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720630005/strapi/11_2908a797d7.png)

  If you want to learn more about email headers, check out our full guide below.

<div class="highlight-gray"> <p> <strong>💡 Related guide: <a href=https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/email-header/></strong>What is an email header?</a></p></div>

**Note:** People commonly confuse email headers with [email preheaders](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/email-preheader/). To make it clear, the email preheader is the text below or next to the email subject line in the inbox. In contrast, email headers are the beginning portion of the  [HTML emails](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/html-emails/).

![12.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720630005/strapi/12_2a3fe34e21.png)

## Ideal email header dimensions

Regarding the standard [email banner size](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/email-banner-size/) or email header dimensions, it's essential to strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality. This ensures that the banner remains visually appealing without overpowering the email's main content. Following this, here are some recommendations that you should follow when it comes to designing different email headers.

| **Feature** | **Recommendation** | 
|-------------|-------------|
|Width| 600px - 800px|
|Height|100px - 200px|
|File size|Less than 100KB|
|Format|JPEG or PNG (compressed)|
|Design complexity|Simple, avoid excessive animations|
|Responsiveness|Adapts to different screen sizes|

It's important to keep in mind that [email clients](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/android-email-client/) and devices may vary in their rendering capabilities, so it's advisable to test the banner across different platforms to ensure optimal display.



## Ideas to create the best email header design

Now that you've learned the foundation – email headers are the visual gateway to your email content. Now, let's delve deeper into crafting email header designs that truly resonate with your audience. We'll explore some fresh perspectives to elevate your email marketing game.

### 1. Put in your logo

By placing your logo in your email header, you incorporate branding by visual identity in your email. The logo helps with [brand](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/email-branding/) recognition and makes people want to read it because it's from a known source. Ensure that your logo reflects your brand's current colours, fonts, and design style.

Use a transparent PNG of your logo in the header. That way, it'll look good in  [dark mode](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/dark-mode-email/). Most brands add the logo in the centre of the email. But you can also add it to the left side of the email because people usually read from left to right.
![H & M logo email header](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720629999/strapi/1_764c575325.png)


Source:  [Really Good Emails](https://reallygoodemails.com/emails/h-m-a-stylish-holiday-at-home)

### 2. Add a "View in browser"/"Web version" option

Sometimes, the email may not load fast or load at all; in that case, you need to give people an option to view it elsewhere, like on the browser.

Most people provide the view in browser option in the footer of the email. But a great way would be to provide the option in the header so that they don't have to scroll down and search for it. Test your header design across different devices (desktop, mobile, tablet) to ensure proper scaling and readability.


![View in web browser option](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720629999/strapi/2_eb6ce812e6.png)
Source:  [Really Good Emails](https://reallygoodemails.com/emails/let-the-fathers-day-sale-begin)

### 3. Provide a navigational menu

You can provide an interactive menu to help your customers with easy navigation through the email and lead them to your website. Many ecommerce companies use this menu to help reduce email clutter and make it easy for people to discover what they are looking for.

Use concise and descriptive labels for each menu item, avoiding ambiguity. Make sure that your menu functions flawlessly on touchscreens, with clear tappable areas.
![Navigational menu](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720630001/strapi/3_f9a3421964.png)


Source:  [Really Good Emails](https://reallygoodemails.com/emails/the-bulleit-rye-manhattan-recipe-good-anywhere)

### 4. Use a colorful header background

Colour is another way to capture your reader's attention, apart from using  [GIFs](https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/email-gifs/) or animated logos. You can use one of your brand colours or something that complements it to add a pop of colour to your email.

Select header colours that complement your brand font while maintaining a visually pleasing contrast with your logo. Consider the emotions you want to evoke. For example, warm colours like orange can convey a sense of energy, while cool colours like blue can create a sense of trust.

In the example below, Mojo uses its signature brand colour as the background colour in the header behind its logo.
![colorful email header background](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720630001/strapi/4_3c723b288d.png)


Source:  [Really Good Emails](https://reallygoodemails.com/emails/celebrating-a-year-of-growth-with-free-shipping)

### 5. Write about the discount or free shipping

If you offer discounts or free shipping, you can mention it in the header, as it will motivate the users to scroll down to see more about the offer.

Go beyond just stating a discount. Explain how it benefits the user – "Save 20% on the items you need most!"

For example,  [Everlane](https://www.everlane.com/) has utilized the header space to announce a Black Friday sale of up to 40%. They have used a bright green background to grab your attention, and they tell you more about the offer in the body of the email.
![everlane email header design](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720630001/strapi/5_fa8df022cd.png)


Source:  [Really Good Emails](https://reallygoodemails.com/emails/free-shipping-for-your-style-refresh)

### 6. Try using no header at all

Contradicting? Yes!

But it can work when done right. At times, less is more.

The point of the header is to utilize space and promote your brand, and you can also do this without having a separate header block. This approach works best for established brands with high logo recognition.

[Nike](https://www.nike.com/in/) is a well-known brand with an iconic logo, and they know it. So, they use just a logo in their email on top of the image without a separate branding header.
![6.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720630002/strapi/6_0343fadb0a.png)


Source:  [Really Good Emails](https://reallygoodemails.com/emails/playinside-with-ntc-premium)

### 7. Use your brand mascot in the email template

If you have a mascot or character for your brand, the email header is one of the great places to add it to the email. People are always fond of characters and mascots. So, by including them in the header, you positively impact the readers, and they want to know more about what your cute mascot has to say in blogs or newsletters.

A well-designed mascot can add a touch of personality and is a fun way to design your email header, making it more memorable.

![Brand mascot header](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1651495859/strapi/image9_40429b3dd2.jpg)

Source:  [Really Good Emails](https://reallygoodemails.com/emails/your-weekly-progress-report-duolingo)

### 8. Use animations to spice up boring email headers

If you have already added your logo to the header, try adding an animated version of your logo. The animated version of the layout makes the headers more interesting to look at and captures your reader's attention.

Ensure your GIF or logo's image size is less than 1MB so that it loads fast even when viewed on a mobile device.

Semrush, a popular SEO tool, demonstrates a tasteful use of animation in their email headers. They incorporate subtle twinkling lights in the background, adding a touch of festive cheer without overwhelming the viewer or distracting from the main message.
![9.gif](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720630004/strapi/9_9ba3e12669.gif)

### 9. Create different variations for different occasions

We recommend that you create a few different header variations that you can use on various occasions. For instance, incorporate festive visuals that resonate with the specific holiday or season. Think pumpkins for Halloween or twinkling lights for Christmas.

While adding festive touches, ensure your headers remain consistent with your overall brand identity. Even for seasonal themes, test different header variations with your email list to see which resonates best with your audience.

Mailmodo offers [pre-built templates](https://manage.mailmodo.com/app/templates/saved) for various occasions, including holidays and seasonal events.

Here is a great example of how to use seasonal imagery in email headers without going overboard. They have subtly conveyed a Christmassy warmth using bells, socks and Christmas trees.
![Different email headers for different occassions](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720630004/strapi/7_d8b9453d34.png)
By incorporating these suggestions and going beyond the basic email header design principles, marketers can create perfect email headers that leave a lasting impression, strengthen your brand identity, and ultimately drive results for your email marketing campaigns.

If you’re not sure how your email header is going to perform, check out [Mailmodo’s email header analyzer](https://www.mailmodo.com/tools/email-header-analyzer/) to see how it stacks up against best practices and identifies areas for improvement.
![8.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720630002/strapi/8_844f5eb081.png)

## How to design email headers in Mailmodo

If you plan to use  [Mailmodo](https://www.mailmodo.com/features/email-template-builder/) to create your  [free email template](https://www.mailmodo.com/email-templates/), here are the steps to create your email header design:

**Step 1:** Use our [HTML email builder](https://www.mailmodo.com/features/email-template-builder/). For that log in to the Mailmodo dashboard, click on templates, and either select a pre-made template or create a new one. If you choose a new template, this window will appear 👇
![13.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720630006/strapi/13_e1ae265426.png)

**Step 2:** You can add logos or images and customize the text according to what suits your brand identity. Or, you can utilize one of the pre-made blocks they provide and customize it to suit your needs.

To access the pre-made blocks, go to the ➕ symbol and click on "**pre-made blocks.**"

![14.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720630007/strapi/14_26c92b1cd8.png)

**Step 3:** Click on the "**headers**" section, and you will see a few pre-made header options that you can use in your email.

![15.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1720630007/strapi/15_791dbb096c.png)

For even faster design, try Mailmodo’s AI Template Generator. Simply enter your brand details and preferences, and the AI instantly produces multiple email designs with stylish headers aligned with your brand style. You can experiment with colors, layouts, and seasonal themes in seconds, making it easier to create a variety of headers without starting from scratch.


![AI template generator final (1).gif](https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/f_auto,q_100/v1760593462/strapi/AI_template_generator_final_1_c03f7c2e50.gif)


<div class="inline_cta"><div class="ctaBox"><div class="leftdiv"><p>Your AI Assistant for Everything Email Marketing</p><div class="button_container"><a href="https://manage.mailmodo.com/auth/signup?utm_content=inline-cta-s&utm_term=/guides/email-header-design/"><button class="primary_button">Try Mailmodo AI for Free</button></a></div></div><div class="rightdiv"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/mailmodo/image/upload/v1760533119/strapi/image_907_1_ce416d5a3f.png" width="290" height="230" alt="cta-img"/></div></div><div class="gradient"></div></div>  


## Final takeaway

Crafting impactful email headers is an art form. By incorporating the best practices outlined in this guide, you can design headers that grab attention, strengthen your brand identity, and drive results for your email campaigns. So, experiment, test, and refine your headers to unlock their full potential following the tips discussed in this guide.

If you feel that Mailmodo is the right option for you to design and send your emails, try it out today for free.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to design an email header?

An email marketing team can design an email header by including the logo for brand awareness, a clear headline that grabs attention, and a call to action(CTA) button if you want users to take a specific step. Most importantly, ensure your header looks great and functions flawlessly on all devices, especially smartphones.


### What is the format of an email header?

An email header typically includes the sender's and recipient's addresses, subject, date, and optional fields like CC/BCC. It also features technical details like message ID, content type, and a trace of its transmission route through "Received" headers.


### What is the size of an email banner?


The size of an email banner typically ranges between 600 and 800 pixels wide, with a height of around 100 to 200 pixels. It's important to maintain a file size below 100KB and ensure responsiveness across different devices and email clients for optimal display.


### How do I create a custom email header?

To create a custom email header, sign up for Mailmodo's email template builder. With this, you can easily design and customize your email header by choosing from a variety of marketing email templates, adding your own images and branding elements, and adjusting the graphic design and styling.


### How do I make my email header design stand out?

To make your email header design stand out, consider the following: use eye-catching colours and fonts, incorporate your brand elements, keep it simple and uncluttered, include a compelling image or logo, ensure it is mobile-responsive, and test it across different email clients and devices for consistency in display.

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---

**Author: Jyothiikaa Moorthy**

Jyothiikaa has one year of experience creating content strategies for growing startups and B2B companies. Her expertise lies in email marketing and email design.

