i have a generic template, but it doesn't want to save a checkout (or shipping) with the template and they have to be specified each time the template is modified for a new item.
is there someway to save that with the template, or some type of template

You can add static content information to the various sections of the listing, like shipping, using a Profile. See Profiles tab - Shipping (lower left) to create a Shipping Profile. You add it to a listing using the "Load from a Profile" feature in the Shipping Tools section of the Auctiva one-page listing editor.

The template itself dictates the background and effects including picture placement. You can embellish it with some text and other layout features, but it doesn't work with other than the eBay defined DESCRIPTION section of the listing.

Hope that helps.

Danno