Kit: Understanding layers and section backgrounds

Tech-Savvy Academy with Kelly L. Gabel·Oct 2025

Demo summary

A walkthrough of the 'layer' logic in Kit's builder, showing how to navigate from text to column to layout levels to change background colors.

Step-by-step

Click into the section you want to edit
Locate the breadcrumb path in the editor sidebar
Select 'Column' to view column-specific settings
Click 'Layout' in the breadcrumb path to access the section-level settings
Modify the background color or add a background image in the Layout menu

Options

Add a background image instead of a solid color
Set different background images for individual columns

Watch out for

Clicking a section defaults to the 'top layer' (text), which hides section-level background settings
The 'Layout' label refers specifically to the highlighted section, not the entire email

Tips

Think of the editor logic like Canva layers where elements are stacked on top of each other
Use the blue outline with plus signs to identify what is currently considered the 'Layout' area

Highlights

“once you understand that concept, it kind of makes everything easier.”

All demos from “How to Use Kit’s Email Builder (ConvertKit 101 Tutorial)”

0:581:40Selecting and loading an email template in KitThe creator demonstrates how to navigate to the broadcast section and browse the Kit library or personal templates to load a design into the builder.Kit· Use / customize email templates
2:392:29Understanding layers and section backgroundsCurrentA walkthrough of the 'layer' logic in Kit's builder, showing how to navigate from text to column to layout levels to change background colors.Kit· Design a newsletter / email (drag-and-drop editor)
7:040:55Adding personalization tagsDemonstrates using the '@' symbol menu to insert subscriber properties like first name into the email body.Kit· Design a newsletter / email (drag-and-drop editor)
8:452:21Using the slash command and layout blocksShows how to use the '/' command to insert various blocks like buttons, recommendations, and multi-column layout cards.Kit· Design a newsletter / email (drag-and-drop editor)
11:111:59Adding and formatting video blocksDemonstrates pasting a YouTube link to create a video block, adjusting the play button color, and setting the width and alignment.Kit· Design a newsletter / email (drag-and-drop editor)
16:190:46Inserting reusable snippetsShows how to add a 'snippet' (reusable content block) to quickly insert a pre-formatted email signature.Kit· Design a newsletter / email (drag-and-drop editor)
17:181:31Scheduling a broadcast and setting SEO metadataWalks through the final sending steps, including setting filters, scheduling the time, adding a pre-header, and configuring the web-view thumbnail.Kit· Send a broadcast campaign
Watch “How to Use Kit’s Email Builder (ConvertKit 101 Tutorial)” →

Design a newsletter / email (drag-and-drop editor)

2:392:29Understanding layers and section backgroundsCurrentA walkthrough of the 'layer' logic in Kit's builder, showing how to navigate from text to column to layout levels to change background colors.Tech-Savvy Academy with Kelly L. Gabel
7:040:55Adding personalization tagsDemonstrates using the '@' symbol menu to insert subscriber properties like first name into the email body.Tech-Savvy Academy with Kelly L. Gabel
8:452:21Using the slash command and layout blocksShows how to use the '/' command to insert various blocks like buttons, recommendations, and multi-column layout cards.Tech-Savvy Academy with Kelly L. Gabel
11:111:59Adding and formatting video blocksDemonstrates pasting a YouTube link to create a video block, adjusting the play button color, and setting the width and alignment.Tech-Savvy Academy with Kelly L. Gabel
16:190:46Inserting reusable snippetsShows how to add a 'snippet' (reusable content block) to quickly insert a pre-formatted email signature.Tech-Savvy Academy with Kelly L. Gabel
20:222:59Designing a broadcast email with personalizationShows the email editor in action, including adding images, setting up 'link triggers' to tag subscribers on click, and using liquid tags for personalized greetings and conditional content.Kit
1:020:59Using the Kit Email EditorDemonstrates Kit's unique slash-command and plus-button editor interface for adding content blocks like buttons, images, and polls to emails.Allan Borch - Dotcom Dollar
1:070:27Using Kit's block-based email editorDemonstrates the block-based editor for building newsletters, showing how to add elements like products, polls, and countdown timers.EmailTooltester
4:380:33Designing an email in KitThe creator demonstrates the email editor in Kit to recreate a simple music newsletter.Steve Builds Websites
13:404:20Designing an email broadcastDemonstrates using the drag-and-drop editor to add text blocks, buttons, dividers, and timers to a broadcast email.Krause Tutorials
7:231:17Drafting the delivery email with personalizationShows the email editor interface, adding subscriber first-name personalization tags, and attaching a file or link to the email body.Netta Dobbins
2:390:24Design emails using the Kit editorDemonstrates using the email editor to select professionally designed templates and customize them with branding and content.Kit