Need help please! Having an issue when creating doormat sizes.

[FloridaDesigner]

Hello All.  Hoping someone can give some guidance regarding doormat sizing.  I've had this issue in the past and usually just gave up, but now I'm determined to figure it out!  My question is this... What is the best size for my designs in order to allow them to work on EVERY available doormat size?  

I'm having a difficult time reasoning why a design sized 35 x 50 would not completely cover the smallest doormat size (18 x 24).  When choosing the smallest rectangular size, there is "white space" on the top and bottom.  Yes, I'm able to increase it through the design tool, but why should I have to?  Additionally, I'm not sure the customer would even notice the white space, or know how to fix it.

Even more confusing to me, is that the same design size, 35 x 50 DOES completely cover the half circle doormat options, which are 18.25 x 27.

Obviously, there is something I'm just not getting!  Thanks in advance for any clarification or guidance on this issue.

~ Glenda 

[KeegansCreation · Accepted solution]

It's an aspect ratio problem, not a size problem. 35x50 is a different aspect ratio than 18x24. That's why there is white space on the top and bottom but not either side. Just expand your image. Or make an image that is the same aspect ratio but larger. Doubling gives you 36 x 48 (rather than 35 x 50).

The aspect ratios aren't the same for the half circle doormat either but perhaps the carving away of the sides rather than a pure rectangle makes the difference.

[FloridaDesigner]

@KeegansCreation  Beautifully explained in an easy-to-understand manner!  Really appreciate you taking the time to answer.  Seems so simple now... so sorry I didn't inquire about this years ago.  Actually, this information helps not only for doormats but other products offered in various sizes, like pillows for example.  Thanks again!  

[Jadendreamer13]

You would think that additional sizes (both smaller and larger) of the same product would maintain the same aspect ratios, but apparently that’s too much to ask.

[FloridaDesigner]

@Jadendreamer13, Yes indeed, I agree wholeheartedly.

I implemented the advice of @KeegansCreation and doubled the 18 x 24 to 36 x 48.  It worked beautifully on 4 out of the 5 size options, but still doesn't work on the largest size, 30 x 45.  According to the aspect ratio explanation, it must have something to do with the "odd" sizing of 30 x 45.  I'm not sure, but at least my designs are now available on all but one size.  Seems redundant, though, to have to do another "resize" just to make it work on the 30 x 45.  Oh well... I'm guessing this is an area where AI could be more beneficial than my somewhat-limited mathematical skills!  

[ColsCreations]

A little "trick" that may or may not work for product styles available in different size ratios depending on the design style:

A couple weeks ago I did a carry-on bag that's also available in pilot-style which is a completely different image ratio. I designed it for the carry-on style which did not translate nicely to the pilot-style, and not wanting to publish two separate versions, I had a rare-for-me flash of inspiration on how to solve the design problem.

First, I made the design (which was only a single portrait-oriented image) to work with the carry-on style. This left large blank space on both sides when changed to pilot-style. So then in the Design Tool, I used the Product tab in the left menu to switch to pilot-style. Then I duplicated the layer I already had to fit the carry-on style, and manually "tiled" it to fill the now blank spaces on the left & right for pilot-style. Then I Grouped those layers and left them underneath the single image layer for carry-on style. And it worked out so that on the product page one can choose the carry-on style I published at, or the pilot-style in a completely different ratio, and sill get an acceptable design that is a little different but not stretched or having blank areas either.

Like I said, YMMV (your mileage may vary) but if you are not using a background pattern image that can fill each design space or doesn't seamlessly tile to fill them, you can try the Products tabs method to switch design views and use layers/manual tiling to design for multiple sizes in one product.

Oh, here's the carry-on bag I did like this.

[Jules]

That is absolute genius, ColsCreations!  💐

I will remember that trick. It might come in handy for other products with contrary aspect ratios.

[ColsCreations]

So this is the design canvas for carry-on style:

If you then use the Products tab to switch to Pilot style you get this:

Now you can just fill in the empty areas however you want and it wont affect the carry-on version since these areas are outside of the design canvas for that style.