Product Customizer & Bundle Builder: Designing Print and Preview Files

The Preview Design editor in the Product Customizer & Bundle Builder app allows you to create both print files and preview files, each serving distinct purposes for your customized products.

This guide outlines the differences between these file types and provides comprehensive guidance on their generation. By effectively customizing and utilizing both print and preview files, you can achieve optimal design outcomes for your products.

What is a Print File?

A print file is an essential document that serves as the blueprint for manufacturing your customized products. It encompasses all design elements, including images, text, and any other relevant information, that must be accurately reproduced on the final printed product.

When a customer places an order for a customized product, the Preview Design editor automatically generates a print file. This file can then be seamlessly integrated into your production workflow, providing manufacturers with all the necessary information for efficient and accurate printing.

What is a Preview File?

A preview file is a dynamic visual representation of a customized product that is displayed to customers in real-time. 

As customers configure their desired customizations on the product details page, the system generates and updates the preview image based on their selections. This allows customers to see exactly how their chosen options will appear on the final product, enhancing their understanding and confidence in their purchase decision.

How to Design Print Files

To create a print file, follow these steps: 

1. From your SHOPLINE admin panel, go to Apps > Product Customizer & Bundle Builder. Click the Customized product tab and select Customized product.
   
2. Click Add customize products, then select Add preview designs.
   
3. In the pop-up window, choose the desired product and click Add.
   
4. Under My templates, select Create a template and click Confirm.
   

5. Go to the Print file tab and click the size option to set the image dimensions. You can choose from three units: MM, INCH, and PX, and adjust the PPI value. 

   Note: Ensure the image size does not exceed 16000 × 16000 PX.

6. Choose from the four types of object options: Image options, Text, Curved Text, and File upload, then use the following features to modify the print file's visual elements, including position, size, shape, and rotation:
   

Adjusting Visual Elements

• Moving Objects: Each object is outlined with a blue rectangle, indicating its print position. Select the object from the left-hand options and drag the rectangle to reposition it.
  
• Hiding Objects: To exclude an object, check the Hide on print file option or drag the object's rectangle to the gray area outside the printing canvas.
  
• Changing Design Views: Use the view buttons or the + and - icons in the bottom-right corner to zoom in and out for better design precision.
  
• Previewing Effects: Select an object to preview its content. For objects with materials, switch between different option images to see variations. For text, input preset text to preview the display effect.
  

Quick Adjustment Methods

• Scaling and Rotation: Drag the rectangle to reposition it. Scale proportionally by dragging its corners, stretch or shrink by dragging its edges, and rotate using the rotation button.
  
• Alignment Options: Use shortcut tools to align objects on the canvas, such as filling the canvas or aligning left, center, or right.
  
• Undo/Redo: Use the Undo/Redo button in the top-right corner to revert to a previous step or restore an undone action.
  
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Click the lightbulb icon on the panel to view shortcut keys and improve efficiency.
  

Batch Adjustment Features

• Group Operations: Group objects together to batch-select all items in the group. A large rectangle will appear around the group, enabling you to move, scale, or rotate them as a unit.
  
• Batch Selection: Hold the left mouse button and drag to select multiple elements for bulk adjustments. Ensure all blue rectangles are fully enclosed within the selection box.
  

7. Click Save the configuration template to store the template for future use. 
   
8. Click Save to save your changes. Then, click Preview to see how the print file will appear on the product page.
   

How to Design Preview Files

The design process for preview files is similar to that of print files. Simply switch to the Preview Settings tab and refer to the guidelines in the How to Design Print Files section. However, there are key differences and unique features for preview files:

• Background Settings: Preview files allow you to set a background, which is not required and cannot be set for print files.
  
• Design Independence: The designs for preview and print files are independent. Each element in the two files has its own position, and changes made in one do not affect the other.
• Suggested Design Workflow: It is recommended to design the print file first before working on the preview file. When you first enter the Preview Design editor, the system will automatically initialize the preview image based on the print file. While the initial designs may appear identical, you can further adjust the preview image to meet your specific needs.
• Quick Reset Function: If you update the print file and want to quickly sync those changes to the preview file, click the Reset Preview button. The system will recreate the preview image based on the latest print image design.
  
• Design Restrictions: When designing a preview file, you can only scale elements proportionally and cannot add new objects.

Managing Object Layers and Display Order

In the editor, all added objects are displayed in the options list on the left side of the page. You can use this list to manage and adjust your object options:

Layer Order 

• The order of objects in the list determines their layer order in the design.
• The layer order affects both the print file and the preview file.
• You can adjust the layer order by dragging and dropping objects within the list.

Display Order 

• The display order of objects on the product page is determined by the Display order of options setting.
  
• By default, the display order matches the layer order, but you can customize it as needed.
• To change the display order, drag objects in the list. You can also select multiple objects for group adjustments.
• If you want to restore the display order to its default state, click Reset order. This will reset the display order to match the layer order.