Introduction

While, as detailed in the previous chapter, sub-themes of core and contributed themes are convenient and efficient in modifying and reusing elements of their base themes, circumstances often require a completely unique approach specific to our site. Custom themes are the solution for websites which demand a fresh look, using complex layouts, or need so much customization that it would be prudent to start with a clean slate.

Custom themes are the equivalent of handcrafted pieces of art as the themer controls every piece of the puzzle from a design or implementational point of view. This includes setting up the theme using .info files, choosing the layout, implementing it in a page template, adding regions, styling nodes using node templates, blocks using block templates, and so on. But over time, developers have identified a list of common tasks, characteristic layouts, and file and folder hierarchies which are logical, efficient, and promote reuse. This has evolved into what...