Templates have served a variety of purposes over the years, but to put it simply, they provide a guideline for design. A quick search of the web offers up a host of applications for templates, many of them free to use. While at the same time the term itself has taken on a whole new meaning when it comes to web design. In fact, one of the dominant uses of templates on the web today relates to website design, but you can find others as well. There are templates for business purposes, arts and crafts, and novelty entertainment as well.

In its most basic form, a template can be a pre-drawn pattern which can be used again and again to reproduce the same end product or as the starting point for creating something slightly different.

Business and office use of templates can vary from the Avery brand label templates used to produce unique label designs to the freely available contract templates that make contract building a snap. Similarly, you can find many examples of invitation creation templates that will take the strain out of formal party planning; many are free to download from the internet. The increased usage of free web space providers such as Myspace.com has led to a phenomenal grown in the templates for customizing and personalizing pages for personal and business purposes.

Many web users have also started to take advantage of content management system like Joomla to help them organize their web space more effectively. The availability of free joomla web templates offers more choices for users who want a unique look as well as strong functionality.

Other creative applications for templates may be viewed more traditional. For instance, if you are familiar with the Boy Scouts of America, then you will recognize the Pinewood Derby. Many fathers and sons have participated in the model car race competition. In fact, over the years the desire for unique car designs has led the emergence of a market for Pinewood Derby car templates. Other creative uses include creating your own jigsaw puzzle templates and designing a unique gingerbread house using an already available template.

Browsing the internet, you can also find various kinds of novelty uses including fake I.D. templates and wanted poster templates.

There is no end to potential uses of templates, and as the internet continues to grow and transform, you will see more.