Step by step guide to Creatomate integration with n8n

n8n is one of the most powerful open-source workflow automation tools out there. But when it comes to creating dynamic videos or personalized media at scale, it needs a little help. That’s where Creatomate steps in. With this step-by-step guide, you'll learn how to set up an efficient n8n Creatomate integration to automatically generate videos that look professional and save you hours of manual work.

Whether you're automating personalized greeting videos, lead nurturing assets, or social content, this tutorial will walk you through the exact process to link Creatomate with n8n — even if you're new to either platform.

---

What is Creatomate?

Creatomate is a video and media generation platform that allows users to create videos and images from templates using JSON inputs. Think of it like Canva meets code. Its automation-friendly API makes it a favorite for teams looking to auto-generate content at scale — with dynamic text, transitions, audio, and logic-based rendering.

Use cases include:

• Real estate property video slideshows
• Personalized customer welcome messages
• Automated product videos for e-commerce
• Social media quote or tip videos

The magic happens when Creatomate is paired with a workflow engine like n8n.

---

Why Integrate Creatomate with n8n?

n8n is ideal for automating workflows across various services, while Creatomate can produce on-brand media on-the-fly. Here’s what combining the two gives you:

• Full automation from trigger to media generation to distribution
• Personalized video emails without manual editing
• Marketing-scale production with individual data-driven assets

If you’re already using n8n to fetch user data from Google Sheets, emails, or CRMs, adding Creatomate as a video generation layer creates powerful end-to-end automation.

---

Prerequisites for the n8n Creatomate Integration

Before we dive in, make sure you have the following:

• An active n8n instance (self-hosted or n8n.cloud)
• A Creatomate account and active API key
• A pre-built Creatomate video template
• Basic familiarity with n8n HTTP Request node

Tip: If you don’t know how to set up n8n for free, follow our free setup guide.

---

Step-by-Step: Setup Creatomate Integration in n8n

Let’s build a sample workflow that takes email data and generates a personalized video greeting.

Step 1: Prepare the Creatomate Template

1. Log in to your Creatomate account.
2. Create a new video template or use a demo template.
3. Add dynamic text fields or image placeholders and give them variable names (like first_name, profile_image, etc.).
4. Publish the template and note the Template ID.

We’ll use this ID in our API call via n8n.

---

Step 2: Set Up Your Trigger in n8n

You can trigger the workflow in several ways — webhook, schedule, new row in Google Sheets, etc.

Example (Google Sheets Trigger):

• Add a Google Sheets Trigger → set it to watch new rows.
• Ensure the sheet contains columns like first_name, email, profile_image_url.

If you’re unsure how to connect Google Sheets, refer to this Google Apps integration guide.

---

Step 3: Add HTTP Request Node for Creatomate

This is where the n8n Creatomate integration becomes real.

1. Add a new HTTP Request node.
2. Configure it as follows:

• Method: POST
• URL: https://api.creatomate.com/v1/renders
• Authentication: Use HTTP Header with API Key
• Headers:
  • Key: Authorization
  • Value: Bearer YOUR_CREATOMATE_API_KEY
• Body Content Type: JSON
• JSON/RAW Parameters:

{
  "template_id": "your-template-id",
  "modifications": {
    "first_name": "={{ $json[\"first_name\"] }}",
    "profile_image": "={{ $json[\"profile_image_url\"] }}"
  }
}

3. Name this node “Generate Video with Creatomate”.

This setup tells Creatomate to render a video using the provided template and populate it with user-specific data from the trigger.

---

Step 4: Save Video Output or Send It

Once the Creatomate render is triggered, you’ll receive a JSON response including a render_url or render_id. To use this:

1. Add a Wait Node (since video rendering takes a few seconds).
2. Follow with another HTTP Request to fetch the final render status:

URL: https://api.creatomate.com/v1/renders/{{ $node["Generate Video with Creatomate"].json["id"] }}
Method: GET
Headers: Bearer Authentication Key
Add a Condition Node to check if the render is complete. If so, retrieve the mp4_url.

3. Now, you can:

• Send the user an email with the video link (via Gmail or Sendgrid node)
• Store it in Google Drive or Dropbox
• Push to your CMS or CRM

---

Sample Use Case: Send Personalized Onboarding Videos

Imagine a use case where people sign up via a form, and you auto-generate a welcome video using their name and city.

Example workflow structure:

1. Trigger: Airtable “New Record”
2. Get user data → name, city
3. Generate personalized welcome video → “Hi Alex from Austin!”
4. Upload video to Google Drive
5. Email video link to new user

This simple automation creates a powerful first impression at scale and can be enhanced with other tools like Flowise or custom agents.

---

Pro Tips for n8n Creatomate Integration

• Retry logic: Use If + Wait nodes with time limits in case the render is delayed.
• Batch processing: Loop through Airtable or Sheets using the SplitInBatches node for bulk video generation.
• Organize data: Store video links against user records in Notion or Airtable for future reuse.

Here’s a suggested structure table of how your node flow might look:

Node Name	Type	Purpose
Google Sheets Trigger	Trigger	Fetch new user data
HTTP Request (Render)	HTTP Request	Initiate video render on Creatomate
Wait	Wait	Pause while video processes
HTTP Request (Status)	HTTP Request	Check video render status
Gmail Node	Email	Send final video to user’s inbox

---

FAQ

What is the benefit of using Creatomate with n8n?

Creatomate turns dynamic data into visual content, while n8n manages triggers and automation logic. Together, they automate video personalization, saving time and enabling scalable content strategies.

How secure is the Creatomate API integration?

All API interactions use HTTPS and token-based authentication. Be sure to store your API keys securely and use environment variables in n8n for security best practices.

Can I use this integration in a self-hosted n8n instance?

Absolutely! Whether you're using n8n.cloud or a self-hosted setup, the integration works the same way as long as you can reach the Creatomate API.

Does Creatomate have a delay in rendering?

Rendering usually takes a few seconds. Use the Wait node in n8n with a retry loop to check when the video is ready before using it in the next step.

Can I generate different types of videos in one workflow?

Yes, you can dynamically select templates based on input parameters. Just change the template_id field in your HTTP Request JSON based on condition nodes or input logic.

---

With a working n8n Creatomate integration, you unlock the ability to generate powerful, personalized video content as part of any workflow — whether for onboarding, marketing, or reports. Give it a try and add automation magic to your media production. And if you're just starting out, get started with n8n for free.