Slate offers multiple methods for printing decision letters. Depending on your process, one or more of the options outlined below may be suitable for your office. This article provides more information about Decision Codes. Before you download the letters, make sure that the associated letter template(s) have the correct PDF settings, and that the decision code(s) are printable.
Ensure that the letter template of your decision can be formatted for printing
Navigate to Database > Letter Templates.
Select the decision letter that you want to print.
Click Edit Template.
Set PDF to HTML/CSS v2 (full).
Modern Decision Letters are rendered by a headless browser according to your HTML / CSS styles. The layout and appearance of the final printed document can be controlled using CSS tools such as media queries targeting the print medium and the @page selector. They do not require any additional configuration to be ready for printing once designed.
Ensure that any decisions you want to print are Printable
Navigate to Database > Decision Codes.
Select any decision code whose letters you want to print.
Set Printable to Printable.
Need Help Getting Inspired?
Check out this Get Inspired Post in the Community Forums on styling your decision letters for printing.
Download Individual Letter from Student Record
This allows a Slate administrator to download a PDF version of the Slate Letter Template from an individual student record. Merge fields and Liquid Markup will display appropriately.
Configure the Decision Code to be Printable.
Associate the Letter Template with the printable Decision Code (for example, the Admit Letter is associated with the Admit Decision Code).
Important: Ensure that the decision has been released for the target population.
Go to Reader Tab Groups and insert a new item.
Configure the Type as Administrative PDF Download. Provide a Name (for example, "Decision Letters") and an Order.
Go to Reader Tab Materials and insert a new item.
Configure the Tab to match the Tab Group you made in step 5.
Configure the Type as Decision Letters.
From the applicant's student record, select the appropriate application tab and select Download PDF.
Select the Decision Letters item from the list.
Select Download and access a PDF version of the decision letter from your desktop.
If you allow applicants to download a PDF version of their letter from the status page, the download will use the configurations from the decision.pdf file in the File Editor, and the PDF will include any images you have added.
By default, the Download PDF functionality allows an administrator to download any part of the application, including all system and custom materials. The default functionality does not include decision letters.
When you make an active Administrative PDF Download Reader Tab Group (step 5), you will no longer have access to the default PDF download functionality. In order to access those default materials:
Deactivate any Administrative PDF Download Reader Tab Groups, or
Make additional Administrative PDF Download Reader Tab Groups and associate the necessary Reader Tab Materials with those groups.
Any links included in a Letter Template will not work on the PDF. However, the URL of a link will automatically render in brackets directly after the linked text. For example: This is a link to google<http://www.google.com>
Download Letters in Batch
This allows a Slate administrator to download a PDF version of the Slate Letter Template in batch (such as for multiple applicants) using the Query Tool. Merge fields and Liquid Markup will display appropriately.
Configure the Decision Code to be Printable.
Associate the Letter Template with the printable Decision Code (for example the Admit Letter is associated with the Admit Decision Code).
Important: Ensure that the decision has been released for the target population.
Go to Reader Tab Groups and insert a new item.
Configure the Type as Administrative PDF Download. Provide a Name (for example, "Decision Letters") and an Order.
Go to Reader Tab Materials and insert a new item.
Configure the Tab to match the Tab Group you made in step 5.
Configure the Type as Decision Letters.
Open the Query Tool and create a new query, with a base of Application or Application by Population.
Add at least one export.
Use filters to isolate the target population (for example, join to Decisions in a subquery filter and add a filter for Letter, choosing "Decisions Letter IN Admit - 1/1/2025 - Admit Letter").
Run the query and select the PDF Document Export destination.
Select the desired format (such as Export as individual PDFs within a ZIP archive).
Select the Decision Letters item from the Insert Part list.
If you allow applicants to download a PDF version of their letter from the status page, the download will use the configurations from the decision.pdf file in the File Editor, and the PDF will include any images you have added.
By default, the Download PDF functionality allows an administrator to download any part of the application, including all system and custom materials. The default functionality does not include decision letters.
When you make an active Administrative PDF Download Reader Tab Group (step 5), you will no longer have access to the default PDF download functionality. In order to access those default materials:
Deactivate any Administrative PDF Download Reader Tab Groups, or
Make additional Administrative PDF Download Reader Tab Groups and associate the necessary Reader Tab Materials with those groups.