Okay, since I have made a few, and I have one with over 29,000 users I need to share my knowledge of how to make themes. Mine are simple and easy, and yes, I cheat.

First I make the artwork. Now, you can do this in a few different ways, but I make a simple banner and then it’s easy.

For the Header, it is a minimum of 640 pixels in width, but no real maximum. The height is fixed at 175 pixels. I had found a template once, somewhere on Google, but cannot find where. So I’m hosting it here, it also has an XML file with descriptions of the fields.

For the Footer, the height is fixed at 140 pixels, and must be at least 640 pixels in width. I like to just change the height in the file I used for the Header and make some changes.

I then take a Screenshot (678 px X 92 px), and the Thumbnail (410 px X 70 px), plus make a png file for the logo (100 px X 50 px).

Now comes the part where you make the color pallet for the gadgets. Go thru the artwork and select the colors you want, and write down the hex colors.

If you know how to deal with XML files go to it, otherwise cheat at igThemer. When you are done, host the XML and artwork online, I have a folder on here just for that purpose. Then you submit the link to the XML to Google.

Then you wait a few weeks and eventually you’ll be up. For more information, check out what Google says, or you can check out the Google Groups. and of course my Developer Page.

Have fun, and if you make one, post a link in the comments.