THE ULTIMATE GUIDE ABOUT MOCKUPS

This guide summarizes the most important points when we talk about PSD Product Mockups.  

 

What is a PSD Mockup?

A Mockup is an image with an editable layer that allows you to show what a product will look like.

They are great because you can use the same file to show different designs without the need to take many photos. You can save a lot of time using them to sell your products in your shop or favorite marketplace and post on social media.

These files are layered and created in Photoshop as PSD files. When using smart layers, we can modify the overexposed design in the image quickly, which will help you save a lot of time when creating product images.

What is a Smart Layer?

A smart layer is a feature created with Photoshop in a specific file, that enables you to create a separate layered PSD that can be embedded into your original PSD file.

With smart layeres, you will be able to modify the design without the need to adjust the position, angle and/or perspective associated with the original product photo because it's already preset for you in each file.

What would you need a Product Mockup for?

MAKE YOUR DESIGNS SHINE	CLOSE THE DEAL	MAKE IT HAPPEN
Use professional photos to show your designs and incorporate them into your shop.	Sell your digital designs or real products using a Mockups + a Print on Demand business model.	Save time and money with these files while you run your creative business and inspire the world.

How to edit Smart Layers?

Nowadays, PSD files and smart layers can be easily edited with the following software: Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Photo, and Photopea.

- Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a photo editing, image creation and graphic design software. It is one of the best known software on the market and with it mockups and internal layers are created. They currently have a fairly affordable monthly payment plan to use and the good thing is that it is updated regularly.

Here is a video tutorial on how to edit mockup files with Photoshop.

 

- Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo is a web-based graphics editor which can be used for image editing, making illustrations, web design, or converting between different image formats. Affinity Photo works much like Photoshop but is a one-time payment and low price. 

How to edit mockup files with Affinity Photo? Check the next video.

 

- Photopea

Photopea is a web-based graphics editor which can be used for image editing, making illustrations, web design, or converting between different image formats.
Photopea works much like Photoshop but is free to use and doesn’t need to be installed on your computer because it works online.

You can click here to try it out, and we also recommend watching this video tutorial on how mockups work with this software.

 

 

Is it possible to edit Product Mockups with Canva?

Some people have asked us if it’s possible to use Product Mockups in Canva, so we decided to include in this guide what possibilities this platform offers.

Canva is a free graphic design platform that's great for making all kinds of graphic files such as invitations, business cards, Instagram posts, and more. A drag and drop interface makes customizing hundred of templates simple and easy. It's like having a basic version of Photoshop that's free and doesn't require extensive photo editing knowledge to use.

When we talk about Product Mockups: Smart Layered PSD Files can ONLY BE EDITED with Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Photo, and Photopea.

But all of our Mockups include a JPG image with the blank product as well as the psd file with the smart layers. Right now, the only way to edit product photos and add your design to them with Canva is to overlay PNG files on JPG files.

What are the differences between JPG and PNG files?

One of the main differences between JPG and PNG is the compression algorithms that they use. JPG uses a lossy compression algorithm that discards some of the image information in order to reduce the size of the file. In comparison, PNG uses a lossless algorithm that keeps all the information. With PNG, the quality of the image won’t change, but the size of the file will usually be larger.

Another important difference is that JPG files don’t support transparency, which means that if the image doesn’t have a background, a white background will automatically be added.

PNGs are the ideal format for images without a background, images that contain text, and logos.
Transparency is the most important thing to keep in mind when using Canva to edit product photos, thats’ why PNG files are going to be our best allies.

 

Canva + PNG Files

The key is to overlay your design as a PNG file over the blank product JPG image.
But, there is a limitation when using this combination: the designs that will be overexposed must not touch the edges of the product.

If the design contains a full pattern or has a background color, this product image will look fake. In this case, we recommend to edit the PSD files with Photoshop, Affinity Photo, or Photopea.

If the PNG has text or a design that doesn't touch the edges of the product the result will be more realistic.
You can also adjust the opacity of the png to make it look better.

Now you know how to add your design to a product photo with Canva.
The only thing you should not forget is to save your designs as PNG files with a transparent background.

Check this video tutorial to see examples of images with Canva.