How-To Guides
Choosing a Bulletin Layout
APBnet gives you a set of professional layouts to choose from. A live preview shows exactly how your bulletin will look — with your photos and content in place — before you send it.
Before you start
- Layout selection happens inside the bulletin creation wizard, after you've chosen the bulletin type and subject details.
- Have your photos ready to upload before reaching the layout step — the live preview works best when your actual images are in place.
Steps
- 1
Progress through the bulletin wizard to the Layout step.
The progress indicator at the top of the wizard shows where you are. Complete bulletin type and subject details first — the layout options shown may vary based on your bulletin type.
- 2
Browse the available layouts.
Layout thumbnails show you the general structure at a glance. Each layout has a name and a brief description of what it's designed for.
Screenshot pending
how-to/bulletin-layouts-selector.pngBulletin layout step — grid of layout thumbnails showing Portrait, Landscape, Side-by-Side, and Photo-Forward options
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Bulletin layout step — grid of layout thumbnails showing Portrait, Landscape, Side-by-Side, and Photo-Forward options - 3
Select a layout and review the live preview.
Clicking a layout loads a live preview with your actual content and photos in place. This is exactly what recipients will see. Try different layouts — the preview updates instantly.
Screenshot pending
how-to/bulletin-layouts-preview.pngBulletin layout preview panel showing a Portrait layout selected with actual bulletin content and photo visible
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Bulletin layout preview panel showing a Portrait layout selected with actual bulletin content and photo visible - 4
If the photo framing needs adjustment, use the Photo Crop Editor.
Each layout has specific photo dimensions. If your photo doesn't frame well, click the crop icon to open the Photo Crop Editor and reposition it within the layout slot.
- 5
Click Continue to proceed.
You can return to the Layout step before sending if you want to switch. The layout is not locked until the bulletin is sent.
Layout reference
Portrait
A vertical layout with a prominent single photo — typically a face or mug shot. Best for person-focused bulletins: Wanted Person, Missing Person, BOLO with a clear subject photo.
Landscape
A horizontal layout that gives more space to descriptive text alongside a photo. Well-suited for bulletins where written detail is as important as the image.
Side-by-Side
Two photos displayed together — useful for showing a person alongside a vehicle, two angles of the same subject, or a before-and-after. Common for vehicle theft and ORC bulletins.
Photo-Forward
A layout that leads with a large photo or multiple images. Use when visual identification is the primary goal and you have high-quality photographs.
Tips
Portrait for people, Landscape for detail
If your bulletin is about identifying a person, Portrait leads with the face — which is what officers need to recognize someone in the field. If your bulletin relies heavily on written description or multiple details, Landscape gives more room for text.
Try multiple layouts before deciding
The preview updates instantly when you switch layouts. Spend 30 seconds clicking through the options with your actual content loaded — what looks good in a thumbnail sometimes looks very different with your real photo.
Layout affects how quickly recipients can act
A well-chosen layout puts the identifying information — face, vehicle, plate — where officers expect it. A layout mismatch (like a landscape layout for a face bulletin) requires recipients to work harder to extract the information they need.
Related guides
Using the Photo Crop Editor
Crop and position photos precisely within your chosen layout.
Read the guide →
Using Bulletin Fields
Fill structured fields so your bulletin is searchable and filterable.
Read the guide →
Bulletin Types Explained
Choose the right bulletin type before selecting a layout.
Read the guide →