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Mockup PSD File Preparation Guide for Listybox

Learn how to prepare your PSD files for rendering in Listybox

Tunahan KORKMAZ avatar
Written by Tunahan KORKMAZ
Updated over a month ago

Introduction

The Listybox system looks for specific layers in your PSD file when rendering mockups. If these layers are not properly prepared, the render process will fail or your artwork may not appear.

In this guide, you'll learn how to prepare your PSD file and how to solve common issues.

📥 Download Reference PSD: Reference PSD

Required Smart Objects

Every PSD file must contain 2 required smart objects:

1. print_area

The area where the user's uploaded artwork will be placed. The system automatically places the image inside this smart object.

Properties:

  • Name: print_area (all lowercase, no spaces)

  • Type: Smart Object

  • Content: Can contain Pattern Overlay or similar effects

  • Position: At the top of the layer structure

Usage examples:

  • Print area on a sweatshirt

  • Chest area of a t-shirt

  • Design area on a bag

2. color

The layer where the user's selected color will be applied. Changes the main color of the product.

Properties:

  • Name: color (all lowercase)

  • Type: Smart Object (usually solid color fill)

  • Blend Mode: Multiply

  • Opacity: 100%

  • Position: Just above the base layer, below print_area

Usage examples:

  • Fabric color of sweatshirt

  • Main color of shoes

  • Outer surface color of bag

Layer Structure and Order

The correct layer order should be:

Layer descriptions:

Layer

Description

Required

print_area

Artwork area

✅ Yes

color

Color change

✅ Yes

base

Product's main texture

✅ Yes

human

Model image

❌ Optional

bg

Background

❌ Optional

Naming Conventions

Pay attention to naming:

  • ✅ Correct:

print_area
color
base
human
bg

  • ❌ Wrong:

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

⚠️ Warning: The system searches for these exact names, so rules must be followed strictly.

Grouping and Isolation

Why is grouping necessary?

Placing the print_area layer in a separate group is required. Reasons:

  • color layer should not affect print_area

  • Artwork should remain independent from color changes

  • Pattern Overlay and other effects should not break

How to do it?

  1. Select the print_area layer

  2. Press Cmd + G (Mac) or Ctrl + G (Windows)

  3. Set the group's Blend Mode to Normal (should not be Pass Through)

  4. Name the group as you wish

Wrong structure:

print_area
color
base

Correct structure:

Common Issues

Issue 1: Artwork didn't render

Symptom: Color changes but artwork doesn't appear. Cause: print_area layer's Layer Style > Blend If settings are wrong. Solution:

  1. Double-click on print_area layer

  2. Go to "Blending Options" tab

  3. Find "Blend If" section

  4. Check the right slider on "Underlying Layer" row

  5. Slider should be at 255

Underlying Layer:  0 ════════ 255
                             ↑
                         Should be 255

💡

Why it matters: - At 225: The underlying color layer affects print_area, artwork disappears

  • At 255: print_area is completely isolated, artwork is visible

Issue 2: Color doesn't change

Possible causes:

  1. Layer name is wrong

- Wrong: Color (capital C) - Correct: color (lowercase c)

  1. Blend Mode is wrong

- Wrong: Normal - Correct: Multiply

  1. Clipping Mask is missing

- color layer should only affect base layer - Right-click > Create Clipping Mask

Issue 3: Artwork is affected by color changes

Symptom: When color changes, artwork also changes, appears faded. Cause: print_area is not in a group or group's Blend Mode is wrong. Solution:

  1. Put print_area in a separate group (Cmd + G)

  2. Set the Group's Blend Mode to Normal

  3. Keep the group above the color layer

Issue 4: Smart Object content disappears

Solution:

  1. Double-click on the smart object

  2. Make sure the content is complete

  3. Save with Cmd + S

  4. Return to the main file

  5. Save the main file with Cmd + S as well

PSD Preparation Checklist

Check before uploading your file:

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 inside 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 at 255

  • ☐ Pattern Overlay is properly configured

General checks:

  • ☐ All layers are visible (eye icons on)

  • ☐ Unnecessary layers deleted

  • ☐ Smart objects have complete content

Example File Structure

Structure of a properly prepared PSD file:

Tips

💡

Test it: Before rendering, in Photoshop:

  • Change the color layer's color → Only product color should change

  • Put a different image in print_area → Artwork should change

💡

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

💡

Be consistent: Use the same layer structure and naming for different angles of the same product.

💡

Backup: Always backup the original PSD, save changes as separate versions.

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