Here are 36 basic, flexible templates you can use to get started. They've been thoroughly tested to render properly in all major email programs. Just download the templates and customize them any way you want to with your favorite text editor. Totally free. Because MailChimp loves you.
Download the templates, edit them with your favorite text editor and customize the graphics with your favorite graphics app. Be sure to replace all placeholder images (including shim.gif's) with your own. You'll need to post your images on your web server, and be sure you use absolute paths in your HTML to point to the images. We've also got more tips for coding HTML email newsletters, and a free Email Marketing Field Guide. If you need help actually delivering your email, give MailChimp a try.
If none of this HTML coding mumbo-jumbo makes any sense, don't download these templates. They're all available free in the MailChimp app, too, so you can create a free account, and edit them with our built-in email designer instead. No coding skills required.
You can check out the Email Blueprints project on Github to follow all the latest developments.