How to Configure a Custom Product Using an Image Per Color

In DecoNetwork, you can configure a custom blank product using various image options: use built-in templates for automatic color rendering, create your own template, use a single image for all colors, or assign a unique image to each color variant. This tutorial focuses on the last option, using separate images for each color, so customers see an accurate representation when customizing their designs.

Follow the steps below to upload per-color images, configure views, assign decoration areas, and verify pricing to ensure the correct color image appears in your store and designer.

In this article

• Prerequisites
• Why Use Images Per Color
• Step 1: Add the custom product
• Step 2: Select “Upload a different image for each product color”
• Step 3: Add colors and upload the image for each color
• Step 4: Assign decoration areas
• Step 5: Set pricing and save
• Best-Practice Tips
• Troubleshooting
• FAQs
• Additional Resources

Prerequisites

Why Use Images Per Color

Use “image per color” when you need pixel-perfect color accuracy or products with complex textures/patterns that can’t be reliably recolored by a template. Benefits include:

• Accurate storefront previews: Each color variant shows its exact photo, reducing returns.
• Better conversions: Shoppers trust what they see, especially for fabrics and heathers.
• Full visual control: You decide lighting, wrinkles, and fabric detail for every color.
• Accessible images: Per-view alt text improves clarity and SEO for each variant image.

Step 1: Add the custom product

1. Log into your DecoNetwork Website.
2. Browse to Admin > Products.

   

   

3. Click Add Product, then select Add Custom Product.
   

   The main work area contains the settings for configuring a new custom product:

   

   Click the image to enlarge.

4. Configure the product settings.
   • Product Group - select a product group from the dropdown menu.

     Product groups allow you to set default behaviors for groups of products. They save you from having to configure common settings for products individually.

   • Product name - give your product a name.
   • Product code - if you use a code to store and record your product, enter it here.
   • Number of colors is the number of color areas that can be changed on the product
5. When ready, click Save.

   A Create virtual sample popup will be displayed allow you to configure views of the product that appear in the online store and in the designer.

6. Select the Upload a different image for each product color option from the popup.
   
   
7. Click Next.

   The Upload Image popup will be displayed.

   
8. Upload an image for the first color variant.

   The Manage Product View popup will be displayed.

   
9. Configure the product view.
• Specify the name of the product view in the Product view name field. e.g. "Front".
• Specify the alt text for the product in the Alt Tag field.
• Select a layout option for the product view:
  • Cover: Resize the view image to cover the entire container, even if it has to stretch the image or cut a little bit off one of the edges.
  • Contain: Resize the view image to make sure the image is fully visible.
  • Center (Vertically: centers the decoration area vertically within the product image container.
  • Center (Horizontally: centers the decoration area horizontally within the product image container.
10. Click OK.

    The Manage product color popup will be displayed.

    
11. Click on the Select color button.

    The Select color popup will be displayed.

12. Select a color and click OK.
    
13. Click OK in the Manage product color popup.

    You will now be taken to the regular product configuration screen with the data you have entered already in place.

    

    Click the image to enlarge.

Step 2: Select “Upload a different image for each product color”

1. Click on the Colors menu item from the inner menu.

   The Colors configuration page will be displayed.

   

   Click the image to enlarge.

2. Click on the Add Color button.
   

   The Manage product color popup will be displayed.

   
3. Click on the Select color button.

   The Select color popup will be displayed.

4. Select a color and click OK.
   
5. Click OK in the Manage product color popup.

   The Upload Image popup will be displayed.

   
6. Upload an image for the next color variant.

   The Manage Product View popup will be displayed.

   
7. Configure the product view.
8. Click OK.

   You will be returned to the Colors configuration page.

   

   Click the image to enlarge.

9. Repeat Steps 1 to 8 for each product color.
10. Click Save & Continue.

    You be returned to the general tab of the product configuration screen with your latest configurations applied.

Step 3: Add colors and upload the image for each color

Do this step for each view you want to add for the product, for example the back, left sleeve and right sleeve views.

1. Navigate to the Views & Decoration Areas tab.
   

   Click the image to enlarge.

2. Click the Add view button.

   The Create virtual sample popup will be displayed allowing you to create a new view.

   
3. Select the Upload a different image for each product color option.

   The Upload Image popup will be displayed.

   
4. Upload an image for the color variant.

   The Manage Product View popup will be displayed.

   
5. Configure the product view.
6. Click the Change Color button.

   The Select Color/Image For popup will be displayed.

   
7. Select an unconfigured color variant.
8. Click OK.

   The Upload Image popup will be displayed.

   
9. Repeat Steps 4 to 8 for each product color of this view.
10. Click OK in the Manage Product View popup.
11. Click Save & Continue.

    You be returned to the general tab of the product configuration screen with your latest configurations applied.

Step 4: Assign decoration areas

Do this step for each product view you have configured for the product.

1. Navigate to the Views & Decoration Areas tab.
   

   Click the image to enlarge.

2. Click Add Area and define the print area on a product view

   The Manage Product View popup will be displayed.

   
3. Click Add New Area.

   The Add New Area to [Area name] popup will be displayed.

   
4. Tick the checkboxes of the areas you want to add then click OK.
5. Adjust the placement of the decoration area by moving it to the desired position on the product image, then click OK.
   
6. Repeat steps 2 to 5 for each decoration area you want to add to the current view.
7. Click Save & Continue.

   You be returned to the general tab of the product configuration screen with your latest configurations applied.

Step 5: Set Pricing and save

At a minimum, it will need to configure pricing if you wish to make the item saleable.

1. Navigate to the Pricing tab.
2. Configure the pricing.

   See the article, Product Pricing, for information on how to configure blank product pricing.

3. When done, click Save.

Best-Practice Tips

• Keep alignment consistent: Shoot/crop all color images identically so views line up perfectly.
• Name files clearly: Hoodie_Front_Red.png, Hoodie_Back_Red.png, etc., for fast mapping.
• Optimize performance: Use efficient PNG/JPG compression; aim for fast load without visible artifacts.
• Use transparent backgrounds: Helps your garment sit cleanly on any theme/background.
• Document your views: Decide which views you actually need—fewer views mean faster setup and browsing.

Troubleshooting

• Color doesn’t appear in Colors tab → Ensure the color is added/enabled for the product; if using supplier data, confirm the color exists for that SKU.
• Image isn’t switching when changing color → Verify you uploaded a per-color image for each view, not only the front.
• Decoration area looks off on some colors → Re-align the bounding box and confirm images are cropped consistently across colors.
• View is missing on the storefront → Make sure the view is enabled and has images attached for all active colors.
• Pricing not showing as expected → Recheck the Pricing tab and any decoration price tables linked to the areas.

FAQs

• Q: When should I use per-color images instead of a recolorable template?
  A: Use per-color images when you need exact photography (heathers, melange, patterned fabrics) or want full control over lighting and texture.
• Q: What image size do you recommend?
  A: At least 600 × 600 px. Larger is fine if optimized for web performance.
• Q: Can I bulk-import products and images?
  A: Yes—use Importing Products to mass create/update products and include image files per color.
• Q: Do I need images for every view for every color?
  A: For the best experience, yes. Missing images on a view for a color will limit what shoppers can preview.
• Q: Can I switch to a template approach later?
  A: Yes—edit the product and choose a different image configuration option if it better fits your workflow.

Additional Resources

• Add Custom Product
• Product Colors
• Configuring Product Views & Assigning Decoration Areas for Products
• Product Images
• Create a Custom Product Image Template with dynamic recoloring