This example is about how to create a custom Magento transactional email template which can be used for 3rd party functionality. As an example, I will use contact request form template.
Copy template variables
The default template looks like (app/locale/en_US/template/email/contact_form.html) :
Name: {{var data.name}}
E-mail: {{var data.email}}
Telephone: {{var data.telephone}}
Comment: {{var data.comment}}
From this template we need to copy variables. We will have to insert them to the new template.
Create new template with MTEditor
You can create new template here: Admin Panel >> System >> Transactional Emails>> Create new with MTEditor
Enter the following data to the form and press the button "Create new".
Email template: * Custom [ MTEmail/Default ]
Store: All store views
Template name: Contact form template
Email subject: New customer request
Edit template and insert variables
Before copied variables you can insert to the text block as text. Example is in the next image. Also you can remove unused blocks such as button block or email signature block and don't forget to save it.
That's all. This template you can use everywhere where you need it.