SudoMock

PSD Preparation

Prepare your Photoshop mockup files for optimal rendering. Follow these guidelines to ensure your templates work perfectly with SudoMock.

Smart Objects

Editable design areas

High Resolution

3000px+ recommended

Organized Layers

Named & grouped

File Requirements

SudoMock accepts Photoshop files (.psd) that meet these requirements:

  • Photoshop CC 2015 or newer
  • Maximum file size via API: Adobe's official PSD file size limit; via dashboard: 300MB
  • At least one visible Smart Object or one text layer
  • RGB color mode recommended (CMYK, Grayscale, Indexed and Lab are auto-converted to RGB; Duotone and Multichannel render in grayscale, without their spot/ink colors)
  • 8-bit or 16-bit depth

File Size Tip

Keep your PSD under 100MB for fastest upload times. API supports up to Adobe's official PSD file size limit; dashboard caps at 300MB. Flatten non-editable layers and rasterize effects to reduce file size.

Setting Up Smart Objects

Smart Objects define the areas where artwork will be placed. They are required for artwork replacement, but the REST API can upload and render a text-only PSD without one.

Creating a Smart Object

  1. Select the layer(s) that will hold the design
  2. Right-click → Convert to Smart Object
  3. Or use Layer → Smart Objects → Convert to Smart Object
  4. Double-click the smart object to edit its contents
  5. The contents determine the design area dimensions

Smart Object Size

Make your smart object contents larger than you think you'll need. SudoMock can scale down, but scaling up loses quality. We recommend 3000x3000px or larger.

Naming Conventions

Name your smart objects descriptively. These names appear in the API response:

Good Names

  • Front Design
  • Back Logo
  • Sleeve Print Left
  • Label Tag

Bad Names

  • Layer 1
  • Smart Object 1
  • Copy of Layer
  • asdfgh

Perspective & Transforms

SudoMock preserves smart object transformations, including:

  • Distort: Perspective warp for 3D surfaces
  • Warp: Curved surfaces like mugs, fabric folds
  • Rotate: Angled design placement
  • Scale: Size relative to mockup

Preview Coordinates

Scale plans include the editable area's display coordinates so your own preview can place artwork consistently with the rendered result.

Layer Effects & Blending

Certain layer effects are supported:

✓ Supported

  • Blend modes (Multiply, Screen, Overlay, etc.)
  • Opacity
  • Layer masks
  • Clipping masks

⚠ Flatten These

  • Complex layer styles (bevel, emboss)
  • 3D effects
  • Video layers
  • Adjustment layers (outside smart objects)

Layer Organization

A well-organized PSD is easier to maintain and renders more reliably:

Layer Structure
1// Recommended layer structure
2📁 T-Shirt Mockup.psd
3├── 📁 Adjustments (top)
4│   ├── Brightness/Contrast
5│   └── Color Balance
6├── 📁 Overlays
7│   ├── Fabric Texture
8│   └── Shadow
9├── 📁 Design Areas
10│   ├── 🔷 Front Design (Smart Object)
11│   └── 🔷 Back Logo (Smart Object)
12├── 📁 Product
13│   ├── T-Shirt Body
14│   ├── Collar
15│   └── Sleeves
16└── 📁 Background
17    └── White Background

Optimization Checklist

Linked Smart Objects

Linked smart objects (content stored in an external file like @artwork.psb rather than embedded) upload fine and render as placeholders using their placement geometry. For best fidelity, use Layer → Smart Objects → Embed Linked before uploading. If a linked smart object has no usable placement geometry, the render returns 422 LINKED_SMART_OBJECT_CONTENT_MISSING. That error is permanent, so embed the smart object or supply the design in the render request rather than retrying the same file.

Testing Your PSD

Before using a PSD in production:

  1. Upload to SudoMock via the PSD Mockup Editor
  2. Verify all Smart Objects and text layers are detected
  3. Test the artwork and text overrides your integration will use
  4. Check that transforms and effects render correctly
  5. Export and inspect the result at full resolution

Use the PSD Mockup Editor

The PSD Mockup Editor is the fastest way to test your PSDs. Upload, review detected personalizable layers, and render without writing code.

Need a Test File?

Try our sample PSD (67.1MB) with 2 smart object layers - perfect for testing the workflow.

Download Sample PSD(67.1MB)

This template powers your storefront editor too

The PSD you prepare here also powers the embedded Studio customizer your shoppers use to design on your products.

Need More Help?

Learn about smart objects in depth or contact our support team.

Smart Objects GuideContact Support