Copyright / Patent Protection

Generally, a copyright applies to specific works, which are shown in a photo or other submission that would be filed with any copyright registration you might pursue. Copyright arises with the creation of a work, and as you acknowledge does not extend to ideas, so a copyright in a single work will likely not protect other different works that may be created later by using a similar idea.

Obtaining a series of copyrights would probably be the surest way to protect the works. While that may seem burdensome, some copyright protection arises without registering copyrights. Registration is a necessary prelude to a copyright infringement lawsuit, and provides benefits in the form of a chance to recover attorney fees and an alternative form of damages if done early enough. But an author does not need to file a registration on every work right away in order to have a right to later file for a registration and claim rights in the work in court if infringement arises.

Moroever, copyright registration is relatively cheap compared to patent or even trademark protection. Typically a lawyer can help with a simple registration for about $300 - 800, and you also have the option of filing them yourself, by submitting the U.S. Copyright Office filing fee of $35 (online) and $45 (paper).

You ask about copyrighting a "template." That is hard to answer without knowing what the "template" is. If it is a separate creation of some sort, you may be able to get protection. However, if it is a system or idea regarding how to approach making the works, it is unlikely to be subject to copyright protection. It might be patentable, but that is generally a much higher standard than the standard for obtaining copyright protection.

If your template creates a similar non-functional feature for each of the works you create, there is some chance that feature may serve to identify you as the source of the work, in which case trademark protection may be available.