How to Prepare Mockup PSD Files for Listybox

Introduction

When rendering mockups, the Listybox system looks for specific layers in your PSD file. If these layers aren't set up correctly, the render will fail or your artwork won't appear.

This guide shows you how to prepare your PSD files and troubleshoot common issues.

Download Reference PSD: Reference PSD

Required Smart Objects

Every PSD file must include 2 required smart objects:

1. print_area

The area where user-uploaded artwork will be placed. The system automatically inserts images into this smart object.

Properties:

Name: print_area (all lowercase, no spaces)
Type: Smart Object
Content: May include Pattern Overlay or similar effects
Position: Top of the layer stack

Use cases:

Print area on a sweatshirt
Chest area on a t-shirt
Design space on a bag

2. color

The layer where user-selected colors are applied. Changes the product's main color.

Properties:

Name: color (all lowercase)
Type: Smart Object (typically solid color fill)
Blend Mode: Multiply
Opacity: 100%
Position: Directly above the base layer, below print_area

Use cases:

Fabric color of a sweatshirt
Main color of shoes
Outer surface color of a bag

Layer Structure and Order

The correct layer order should be:

📁 Group 1 (Blend Mode: Normal)
    └── 🖼️ print_area (Smart Object)
        └── Pattern Overlay (Effect)
🎨 color (Smart Object, Blend Mode: Multiply)
👕 base (Main product layer)
👤 human (Model/background - optional)
⬜ bg (Background - optional)

Layer descriptions:

print_area: Artwork area (required)
color: Color changes (required)
base: Main product texture (required)
human: Model image (optional - may not exist in flatlay shots)
bg: Background (optional)

Naming Conventions

Naming requirements:

✅ Correct:

print_area 
color 
base 
human 
bg

❌ Incorrect:

Print_Area (capital letters) 
print area (has space) 
printArea (camelCase) 
PRINT_AREA (all caps) 
design_area (different name)

The system searches for these exact names, so you must follow these rules.

Grouping and Isolation

Why group the print_area?

You must put the print_area layer in a separate group. Reasons:

The color layer shouldn't affect print_area
Artwork should remain independent of color changes
Pattern Overlay and other effects shouldn't break

How to do it:

Select the print_area layer
Press Cmd + G (Mac) or Ctrl + G (Windows)
Set the group's Blend Mode to Normal (not Pass Through)
Name the group whatever you like

Incorrect structure:

print_area
color
base

Correct structure:

📁 Group 1 (Normal)
    └── print_area color base

Common Issues

Issue 1: Artwork not rendering

Symptom: Color changes but artwork doesn't appear.

Cause: Incorrect Layer Style > Blend If settings on the print_area layer.

Solution:

Double-click the print_area layer
Go to "Blending Options" tab
Find the "Blend If" section
Check the right slider in the "Underlying Layer" row
The slider should be at 255

Underlying Layer:  0 ════════ 255
                             ↑
                       Must be at 255

Why this matters:

At 225: The color layer below affects print_area, causing artwork to disappear
At 255: print_area is fully isolated and artwork appears

Issue 2: Color not changing

Possible causes:

Incorrect layer name
- Wrong: Color (capital C)
- Correct: color (lowercase c)
Wrong Blend Mode
- Wrong: Normal
- Correct: Multiply
Missing Clipping Mask
- The color layer should only affect the base layer
- Right-click > Create Clipping Mask

Issue 3: Artwork affected by color changes

Symptom: When color changes, the artwork also changes or looks washed out.

Cause: print_area isn't grouped or the group's Blend Mode is wrong.

Solution:

Put print_area in a separate group (Cmd + G)
Set the group's Blend Mode to Normal
Keep the group above the color layer

Issue 4: Smart Object content disappearing

Solution:

Double-click the smart object
Ensure the content is intact
Save with Cmd + S
Return to the main file
Save the main file with Cmd + S

PSD Preparation Checklist

Check these before uploading:

Required checks:

print_area smart object exists and is named correctly
color smart object exists and is named correctly
base layer exists
print_area is in a separate group
Group's Blend Mode is Normal
color layer's Blend Mode is Multiply
color layer's Opacity is 100%

Layer Style checks:

print_area > Layer Style > Blend If > Underlying Layer right slider is at 255
Pattern Overlay is set up correctly

General checks:

All layers are visible (eye icons on)
Unnecessary layers removed
Smart objects contain complete content

Example File Structure

Structure of a properly prepared PSD file:

📁 Photoshop File 
│ ├── 📁 Group 1 (Blend Mode: Normal, Opacity: 100%) 
│   └── 🖼️ print_area (Smart Object) 
│       ├── Pattern Overlay 
│       └── [Layer Style: Blend If > Underlying Layer: 255] 
│ ├── 🎨 color (Smart Object, Multiply, 100%) 
│   └── [Clipped to base] 
│ ├── 👕 base (Main product layer) 
│ ├── 👤 human (Model - optional) 
│ └── ⬜ bg (Background - optional)

Tips

Test before rendering: In Photoshop:

Change the color layer → Only product color should change
Put a different image in print_area → Only artwork should change

Create a template: Save your first working PSD as a template and copy this structure for new mockups.

Stay consistent: Use the same layer structure and naming across different angles of the same product.

Back up: Always back up the original PSD and save changes as separate versions.

burakaktna-ref-colorized.psd