Archive Templates let you design custom layouts for collection pages on your WordPress site – like category listings, tag pages, author archives, date-based archives, and custom post type archives. Instead of a plain list of posts, you can create magazine-style layouts, portfolio grids, or any design you imagine using Elementor and Master Addons’ dynamic archive features.
What Are Archive Pages? #
Archive pages are “collection” pages that group similar content:
- Category Pages: All posts in a specific category
- Tag Pages: All posts with a specific tag
- Author Archives: All posts by a specific author
- Date Archives: Posts from a specific month/year
- Custom Post Type Archives: All items of a custom type (e.g., all products, all portfolio items)
Step-by-Step: Creating an Archive Template #
1. Create New Archive Template #
Navigate to Master Addons → Theme Builder → Add New Template.
2. Basic Setup #
- Template Title: Descriptive name (e.g., “Blog Category Layout” or “Product Archive”)
- Template Type: Select Archive from dropdown
- Activation: Set to Active after customizing the layout properly.
Click Save Settings.
3. Edit with Elementor #
Click Edit with Elementor. You’ll notice a key difference from Single templates: Archive templates automatically include a Posts Widget or Archive Posts area that will display the actual archive items.
Two Approaches to Archive Layouts:
Option A: Use the Native Archive Loop (Simpler) #
Elementor provides an Archive Posts widget or area that automatically queries and displays the correct posts for that archive. You design around this loop.
Option B: Use Master Addons Grid/List Widgets #
- Add Master Addons Post Grid, Post List, or Post Carousel widget
- Configure the query to display archive-appropriate posts
- Gives you complete design control over each item
4. Master Addons Archive Dynamic Tags #
Archive templates have their own set of dynamic tags to display archive-specific information:
Archive Information: #
- Archive Title – “Category: Technology” or “Author: John Doe”
- Archive Description – Category/tag/author description
- Archive Meta – Additional archive metadata
Author Archives (Specific): #
- Author Name – Display name of the author
- Author Info – Biography text
- Author Meta – Custom author fields
- Author Avatar – Profile image
Example Usage:
- Add Heading widget → Insert Archive Title dynamic tag
- Add Text Editor widget → Insert Archive Description dynamic tag
- Add Image widget → Insert Author Avatar dynamic tag (for author archives)
- Add Master Addons Post Grid → Configure query to show current archive’s posts
5. Designing Your Archive Layout #
Typical Archive Structure:
- Archive Header: Title, description, featured image (for category/tag)
- Archive Content Area: Grid/list of posts with thumbnails, titles, excerpts
- Sidebar/Filtering: Category filters, search, popular posts widget
- Pagination: Next/previous page navigation
- Call-to-Action: Newsletter signup or featured content
Design Tips:
- Use Master Addons Post Grid for masonry or grid layouts
- Use Master Addons Post List for magazine-style lists
- Add Master Addons Filterable Gallery for interactive filtering
- Include Master Addons Pagination widget for styled page navigation
- Add breadcrumbs using Master Addons or Elementor Pro
6. Setting Archive Conditions #
This is where Archive templates get specific. Go to Conditions tab after designing.
Common Archive Template Conditions:
Option A: All Archive Pages #
- Include:
Archive→All Archives - Use for a universal archive design
Option B: Author Archives Only #
- Include:
Archive→Author→All Authorsor specific authors - Example: Stylish author profile pages with their posts
Option C: Category / Tag Archives #
- Include:
Archive→ Category /Tag - Example: Different layout for “beginner” vs “advanced” tutorial tags
Option D: Custom Post Type Archives #
- Include:
Archive→ [Your Custom Post Type] →All - Example: Product catalog layout for WooCommerce products
Option E: Date Archives #
- Include:
Archive→Date - Example: Calendar-style layout for monthly archives
7. Archive Query Configuration #
If using Master Addons Post Grid/List widgets, configure the query:
Query Settings:
- Source: Posts, Pages, Custom Post Types
- Filter By: Current Archive (automatically filters to current category/author/etc.)
- Order By: Date, title, random, etc.
- Pagination: Enable with posts per page setting
Display Settings:
- Layout: Grid, masonry, list, carousel
- Columns: Responsive column control
- Content Elements: Show/hide thumbnail, title, excerpt, meta, read more
- Hover Effects: Animation on hover
8. Advanced Archive Features #
Different Layouts for Different Archives #
Create multiple archive templates:
- Template 1: For “News” category (magazine style)
- Template 2: For “Tutorials” category (grid with difficulty indicators)
- Template 3: For author archives (with author bio at top)
Archive-Specific Sidebars #
- Design different sidebars for different archive types
- Use Elementor’s Sidebar widget or Master Addons custom widgets
Empty State Design #
- Design what appears when an archive has no posts
- Add encouraging text, search bar, or popular content suggestions
9. Save & Test #
Click SAVE SETTINGS. Then test by:
- Visiting a category page that matches your conditions
- Checking an author archive
- Testing tag pages
- Verifying pagination works
- Testing on mobile devices
Common Archive Template Examples #
Blog Category Template: #
- Condition: All Categories
- Features: Category title/description, 3-column grid of posts with featured images, excerpt, read more, pagination, category-specific sidebar with popular posts
Author Archive Template: #
- Condition: All Author Archives
- Features: Author avatar, name, bio, social links, grid of their latest posts, author stats (post count, total views), follow button
Product Archive (Shop) Template: #
- Condition: Product Post Type Archive
- Features: Shop title, product filter widgets (price, category), grid of products with images, prices, add-to-cart buttons, sorting options, pagination
Portfolio Archive Template: #
- Condition: Portfolio Post Type Archive
- Features: Full-width filterable masonry grid, project categories filter, hover effects with project details, client logos section
Date-Based Archive Template: #
- Condition: Date Archives
- Features: Calendar-style layout, monthly grouping, “On This Day” historical posts, archive timeline visualization
Troubleshooting #
Problem: Archive shows wrong posts
- Fix: Check query settings in Post Grid widget. Set “Filter By” to “Current Archive”
Problem: Archive title not updating
- Fix: Use correct dynamic tag. For category pages, use “Archive Title” not “Post Title”
Problem: Pagination not working
- Fix: Enable pagination in both the Post Grid widget AND WordPress settings (Settings → Reading)
Problem: Template not applying to custom post type archive
- Fix: Ensure custom post type has “has_archive” enabled in its registration
Problem: Archive description empty
- Fix: Add description to your category/tag/author in WordPress backend
Pro Tips #
- Preview with Real Content: Use Elementor’s Preview Settings to test with specific archives
- Performance Optimization: Archive pages can have many posts. Use lazy loading for images and limit posts per page
- SEO Considerations: Archive pages are important for SEO. Include meta descriptions using Master Addons dynamic tags
- Consistency: Match your archive design with your single post design for cohesive user experience
- Breadcrumbs: Always include breadcrumb navigation to help users understand their location
Archive vs. Single: Key Differences #
- Archive: Shows multiple items (list/grid layout)
- Single: Shows one item (detailed layout)
- Archive: Uses “collection” dynamic tags (Archive Title, etc.)
- Single: Uses “item” dynamic tags (Post Title, etc.)
Archive Templates transform boring list pages into engaging, designed experiences. Whether you’re creating a magazine-style category page, a filtered portfolio archive, or an author profile with their work, Master Addons gives you complete design control. Start with your most important archive (like your blog category page), then expand to other archive types as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions #
What is an Archive template in Master Addons Theme Builder?
An Archive template controls the layout of collection pages that group similar content, such as category listings, tag pages, author archives, date archives, and custom post type archives. Instead of WordPress’s plain default list, you design these pages in Elementor with Master Addons dynamic archive features for magazine-style or grid layouts.
How do I make the archive show the correct posts for each category?
If you use a Master Addons Post Grid or List widget, set its Filter By option to Current Archive, which automatically limits the query to the current category, author, tag, or date being viewed. Alternatively, design around the native Archive Posts loop, which already queries the right posts for that archive automatically.
Can I use different layouts for different archive types?
Yes. Create multiple archive templates and assign each a different condition in the Conditions tab, for example All Categories, Author archives, a specific tag, or a custom post type archive. This lets you give a News category a magazine layout while an author archive opens with the author’s bio at the top.
Which dynamic tags are available for archive pages?
Archive templates use collection-level tags rather than single-post tags. You get Archive Title, Archive Description, and Archive Meta, plus author-specific tags like Author Name, Author Info, Author Meta, and Author Avatar for author archives. Drop these into Heading, Text Editor, or Image elements to display archive information.
Why isn’t my archive template applying to a custom post type?
Custom post type archives only render if the post type was registered with has_archive enabled, so check that first. Also confirm your template condition targets that post type’s archive correctly. If the archive title shows the wrong text, make sure you used the Archive Title dynamic tag rather than Post Title.
