My primary goal was to automate the work - just give a batch of pictures which are all printed according to a defined layout.
But you are not actually using a
defined layout but wanting to adjust each page according to the images on it
The template feature is really designed for a fixed layout with the crop scissors on. You can include a real image in the template and text linked to the page or individual images.
What you are asking may not even be possible with a specialised desk top publishing program.
With your situation you could, after a little practice go through the 12 pages of a calender quite quickly in Qimage.
One feature that can help in this situation is Qimage's ability to save at various levels. You have already discovered a "Layout" for templates, but there are "Sessions", Printer Set ups" and "Jobs".
Sessions are useful to save individual pages (or a set); Jobs can save everything including the printer settings and the images.
Qimage is still a great software and I'll buy it anyway
....
and I'll also have to dig a bit deeper into printout quality, looks like Qimage has here some advantage too.
You won't regret it and it's fraction of the cost of some photographic software that can't match it on print quality.
http://ddisoftware.com/tech/articles/march-2010-smart-photo-printing/Is there any official way for feature requests or is Mike following the threads?
Just post here as "Feature request". Mike does keep an eye on the forum and requests.
Import function for a list of images to create a "Job"
This already exists as I mentioned above with the various save/recall features. You can select images from any folder and add them to the queue and once in the queue go back to their folder by right clicking on an image in the queue or preview and choose "Browse to Selected Image's Folder".
About your request
Positioning of an image within a template
I note that if one of the "Template" print placement methods is used, or Custom, Enter number of prints per page, what you ask is possible. Both of those are probably not suitable for your purpose though
Terry