An automated document template creation method comprises: inputing data of an existing document that contains a visual design to input an image; decomposing the image into at least one object using at least one image processing technique; determining at least one design attribute of the object; and synthesizing a document template containing the design attribute. An automated document template creation system comprises: an input device that receives data of an existing document containing a representative visual design to obtain an image; an image processor that decomposes the image into at least one object and determines at least one design attribute of the object; and a template creator that synthesizes a document template containing the design attribute. The systems and methods allow a scan/preparation user at a makeready station to generate additional and/or replacement pages for an existing document that are visually coherent with the predetermined visual design of the document.