No clue on product image sizes

[Abavagada]

Haven't created anything in Zazzle for a while. Came back today to open a new shop, create some products, but I can't find any design dimensions for products. No list, nothing. I finally find that there should be guides you can download from the editing section of the product, but there are none on the product I'm trying to design (mug), and the dimensions I used to use are wrong now.

Is this a glitch, or do we just guess the image sizes we need now?

[idraw]

@Abavagada

<https://www.zazzle.com/z.2/lp/guidefilepage>
<https://www.zazzle.com/custom/gifts>
<https://asset.zcache.com/assets/graphics/z4/uniquePages/affiliate/Designer_Associate_Handbook_2018.p...
<https://help.zazzle.com/hc/en-us/articles/219145288-Creating-a-Product-Template>

[Abavagada]

Thank you, but none of those contain the dimensions of the design space for products.
For example, the design size for the mugs was once 1732px X 650px. The new size is taller.
The guidefile page you link to is missing any guidefiles for most products, and the ones it does list that I've tried are broken links.

[idraw]

@Abavagada 
I am a shopkeeper, volunteer my services to research and help other shops, I have absolutely no control over what Zazzle offers in the way of information and outdated links.
You might want to express your displeasure to Zazzle.

[KeegansCreation]

Some products have downloadable guide files in the design tool of a given product, down at the bottom of the left sidebar under Help. Sometimes PNG, sometimes PDF. Some products have the dimensions for designers in the product description. Alas, the mug (classic 11 oz) has neither so for cases like that I screen cap the design space.

[DesignByWendy]

Thank you! I've reached out to Zazzle customer service, and they were absolutely unhelpful. 

[SJoy]

Sorry, deleted post

[Barbara]

When Zazzle stopped providing guide files, I started creating my own for the few products where I needed them. The first thing I did was as @KeegansCreation  mentioned, which was to do a screen capture of it as it appeared in the design tool. I brought that into Photoshop and then, using the dimensions given in the product's description, I fine-tuned the image in Photoshop and used that when creating a design. One of the products for which I did this was the mug, and it worked well. I've since stopped using the templates I created simply because I rarely design for any specific product, relying instead on larger images that can be downsized and manipulated in the design tool.

Don't forget the useful items within the design tool. You can use cropping to change the shape of your image. You now have "Elements" that can be used for, say, a white rectangle to be used beneath text, or you can use an element as a mask. If it's been long enough and you aren't familiar with such things as Elements, you might want to study up on them to discover how they might be useful for you.

You're understandably frustrated, and so I hope I've helped in at least some small way.

Colorwash's Home

[KeegansCreation]

The Zazzle/Adobe collaboration that brought us Design To Print (a Photoshop plugin that let you design directly on a product while still in Photoshop) seems to not be compatible with Photoshop 2023. I would have advised it if it were. It was great while it lasted.

[Barbara]

That's a shame for those with the most recent version of Photoshop. I never experienced it because I've a CS version and was really envious of those who could use the plugin.

Colorwash's Home

[Jadendreamer13]

I have a subscription to Adobe CS, and I am still able to use Adobe Design to Print. I just stopped automatic upgrades for Photoshop. You may be able to download a previous version of Photoshop directly on your computer. I would inquire with Adobe.

[Jadendreamer13]

Instructions on how to install (and retain) a previous version of Adobe Photoshop CS on your computer:

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/using/install-previous-version.html

[KeegansCreation]

Thanks for the tip. I think Photoshop 2022 would do it. If I recall correctly it turned incompatible at Photoshop 2023. I'll see if I can bring back 2022 because I really did like Design To Print.

[ohheyfox]

I just started using Zazzle and am having the same issue. I asked customer service and they recommended I look here. 🤔 I hate how much time it wastes guessing and having to work it out through trial and error!

[Barbara]

You should think about creating image files that have one side that's, at the very least, 3000 pixels. If it's square, make it 3000 per side, and if it's a rectangle, make sure one side is 3000. For a rectangle in portrait mode, for instance, it might be 2000 wide by 3000 high. If you're likely to design for the larger products like duvets or shower curtains, I'd double that 3000 and make it 6000 instead. Doing things this way, you can use those large images on all kinds of small products.

As KeegansCreation and I mentioned, you can do a screenshot of the product's template as it's shown in the design tool, bring the screenshot into your image editor, and resize it to the dimensions given beneath the product on the product's display page. It can take a bit of fiddling, but you'll eventually have a perfectly workable template. That said, you truly do not need templates except maybe for oddly shaped items like paper cups. It's far easier and more efficient to resize your image(s) to fit and then position using the positioning tools.

Colorwash's Home

[chefcateringbiz]

If I'm making a png file, I typically start out with a 16x16 inch workspace, then save it at 300-400dpi. That's big enough to make all the stuff I usually make. I don't create product-sized images anymore; typically do standalone pieces that can be used in different combos and situations. If I'm making eps (vector) files, then it doesn't matter what size it is. If you're counting pixels, I believe the limit is 10K, which you might need for a shower curtain or a large blanket, I don't usually make those kinds of things.

[Angel]

@ Abavagada 

@ iDraw  included some good links below.  Some products do have a guide file right in the design tool (in the Products tab on the left) or in drop down menu on the Help tab on the top.

But for those products that only show a rectangle or whatever, the product dimensions can usually be found in the About This Product section below the product image in the Marketplace.

Enjoy creating ...