Articles on: Customization Management

Setting Up Upload Zones

An upload zone is a canvas element that displays a placeholder image and lets customers replace it with their own content: an image, a text, or a design from your library. The zone defines a fixed boundary on the canvas: whatever the customer uploads is constrained to that area.

This makes upload zones ideal for structured customization setups like photo collages, dedicated logo spots, or personalized photo gifts, wherever you want customers to fill specific areas rather than freely placing elements across the canvas or printing area.


Creating an Upload Zone

  1. Open the Product Builder for the view you want to add the zone to.
  2. Click "Upload Zone" in the Add Element section above the layers panel.
  3. In the popup that opens, upload or select a placeholder image and enter a title for the zone.
  4. Click "Create". The zone appears on the canvas.



Important: The "Create" button stays disabled until both the placeholder image and the title are provided. The placeholder is what customers see before they upload their own content. It is required.


PNG vs. SVG placeholders

A PNG file displays as a static placeholder background. An SVG file acts as a mask: the customer's uploaded content is clipped to the shape of the SVG. Use SVG when you want uploads constrained to a non-rectangular shape, such as a circle or an irregular frame.


Configuring the Upload Zone

Select the upload zone on the canvas to open its settings in the Element Options panel. The panel has four sections: General, Colors, Customizable Properties, and Upload Zone. The two sections most relevant to the upload zone configuration are covered below.


Upload Zone Settings

These settings control the zone itself and how it behaves for customers on the canvas.

  • Allowed Content Types: Choose what customers can upload: Image, Text, Design, or any combination.
  • Scale Mode: Determines how uploaded content fills the zone:
    • Fit: The content scales to fit entirely within the zone. Empty space may appear around the edges if the aspect ratios differ.
    • Cover: The content fills the entire zone. Parts of the content may be cropped to cover the area fully.
  • Movable: Customers can reposition the upload zone anywhere on the canvas.
  • Removable: Customers can delete the upload zone entirely.
  • Restrictions for Images: You can set minimum and maximum pixel values for the image upload. This restricts the file size that can be uploaded and therefore determine the image quality for your print. If no restrictions are set, the restrictions from the global settings or profiles will apply, so only limit this if the sizes should differ from the general image upload options. These numbers don't have to match the upload zone on the canvas.



Customizable Properties

These settings control what customers can do with the content they upload into the zone. Each property must be enabled individually. If none are enabled, the uploaded content is placed automatically and cannot be adjusted by the customer.

  • Movable: Customers can reposition their uploaded content within the zone's borders.
  • Scalable: Customers can resize their uploaded content.
  • Rotatable: Customers can rotate their uploaded content.
  • Unproportional Scaling: Customers can scale the content without maintaining its aspect ratio.
  • Advanced Editing: Gives customers access to advanced editing options for their uploaded images.
  • Curvable: Customers can apply a curve effect to their uploaded texts.



Note: The placeholder image has "Exclude in Export" enabled by default in the General settings. This is intentional. The placeholder only appears during the customization process and is not included in the final export. Only the content the customer uploads is exported.


How Customers Interact with Upload Zones

Customers see the placeholder image in the defined area on the canvas. Clicking the zone triggers an interaction based on the allowed content types you configured:

  • Image: A file upload dialog opens so the customer can select a photo from their device.
  • Text: A text input opens for the customer to enter and style their text.
  • Design: The customer can browse and select a design from your library.



Once content is placed, it fills the zone according to the scale mode. If you enabled Customizable Properties, the customer can then move, scale, or rotate their content within the zone. If you enabled "Movable" or "Removable" in the Upload Zone settings, they can also reposition or remove the zone itself.


You can test it yourself here in our demo store.


If you have any questions, reach out to us via the in-app chat. We are always happy to help.

Updated on: 17/04/2026

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