Output Files

Understanding output files, naming conventions, folder organisation, and file management

Understanding Your Generated Mockups

After processing, The Mockup Factory generates high-quality mockups ready for customer presentations, online stores, social media, and print materials. You can choose to output JPG, PNG, or PSD files depending on your needs. This section explains how output files are named, organised, and optimised.

8.1 Output File Formats

Choosing Your Output Format

The Mockup Factory offers three output formats:

JPG – Compressed, web-optimised, smaller file size
PNG – Lossless quality, transparent backgrounds, larger file size
PSD – Editable Photoshop file with layers (No Effects only)

You can tick one or multiple formats using the checkboxes in the plugin.

⚠️ Important: Selecting multiple formats creates multiple files for each mockup, which can quickly create a large volume of files. Only select multiple formats if you have a specific need.

JPG Output (Recommended for Most Uses)

File Type: JPG (compressed image format)

Best For:

✅ Online stores (Shopify, Etsy, Amazon)

✅ Social media posts

✅ Email marketing

✅ Customer presentations

✅ Website galleries

✅ Most everyday uses

File Size:

Typical range: 2–5 MB per mockup
Varies based on quality setting (1–12) and image complexity
Optimised for both web and print use

Quality Control:

Adjustable quality slider (1–12)
Default: Quality 8 (recommended)
Higher quality = larger file size

Pros:

✅ Small file size (fast uploads, less storage)

✅ Universal compatibility (works everywhere)

✅ Adjustable quality/file size balance

✅ Perfect for web use

Cons:

❌ Lossy compression (slight quality reduction)

❌ No transparent backgrounds

❌ Not editable after export

PNG Output (Lossless Quality)

File Type: PNG (lossless image format)

Best For:

✅ When you need maximum image quality

✅ Transparent backgrounds (if template supports it)

✅ Print materials requiring lossless quality

✅ Archiving master mockups

✅ Further editing in other software

✅ Layering mockups in design software

File Size:

Larger than JPG (typically 5–15 MB per mockup)
No quality slider (always full quality)
File size varies based on image complexity and transparency

Quality:

Always exported at full quality (no compression)
No quality slider available (PNG is always lossless)

Availability:

✅ Available with all processing types (all plans)

✅ Works with No Effects, engraving effects, and print effects

Pros:

✅ Lossless quality (no compression artifacts)

✅ Supports transparent backgrounds

✅ Perfect for print and archiving

✅ Can be edited further without quality loss

Cons:

❌ Larger file size (slower uploads, more storage)

❌ Not ideal for web use (file size)

❌ Still not editable (flattened image)

When to Use PNG:

You need transparent backgrounds for layering
You're creating print materials and need lossless quality
You're archiving master mockups for future use
File size is not a concern

PSD Output (Editable Photoshop Files)

File Type: PSD (Photoshop document with layers)

Best For:

✅ Further editing in Photoshop

✅ Adjusting mockup styling, lighting, or effects

✅ Customising backgrounds or props

✅ Creating variations from one base mockup

✅ Advanced users who need full editing control

File Size:

VERY LARGE (typically 50–200 MB per mockup)
Contains all layers, smart objects, and effects
Requires significant storage space

What's Included:

The mockup template with all layers intact
Your design placed in the smart object (not flattened)
All original template layers, effects, and styling
Fully editable in Photoshop

Availability:

⚠️ Only available when "No Effects (Design Placement Only)" is selected

Available to Standard plan users (No Effects only)
Available to Print & Sublimation and Professional plan users when they choose No Effects
NOT available with engraving or print effects

Why This Limitation? Engraving and print effects are applied during processing and cannot be preserved as editable layers in the output PSD. This also protects how those effects are built. If you need an editable PSD, use No Effects and apply effects manually in Photoshop.

Pros:

✅ Fully editable in Photoshop

✅ Adjust lighting, shadows, backgrounds, styling

✅ Create variations without re-processing

✅ Maximum flexibility for advanced users

Cons:

❌ VERY large file size (50–200 MB per file)

❌ Only available with No Effects

❌ Requires Photoshop to open and edit

❌ Can quickly fill up storage space

❌ Slow to upload/download/transfer

When to Use PSD:

You need to edit the mockup further (adjust lighting, shadows, backgrounds)
You want to create variations without re-processing
You're an advanced Photoshop user
Storage space is not a concern
You specifically need editable layers

⚠️ Warning: PSD files are VERY large. Only select PSD output if you specifically need editable files. Selecting PSD for large batches can create hundreds of gigabytes of files.

8.2 Selecting Output Formats

How to Choose Formats

In the plugin, you'll see checkboxes to select output formats:

✅ Save JPG files (ticked by default)
☐ Save PNG files
☐ Save PSD files (only available if No Effects is selected)

You can tick:

One format (most common)
Multiple formats (creates multiple files per mockup)

Single Format Selection (Recommended)

Best Practice: Select only the format you need for your immediate use.

Examples:

Scenario 1: Uploading to Shopify

Select: JPG only
Why: Smaller file size, fast uploads, perfect for web

Scenario 2: Print Catalogue

Select: PNG only
Why: Lossless quality, perfect for print

Scenario 3: Further Editing Needed

Select: PSD only (with No Effects)
Why: Editable layers, full control

Multiple Format Selection (Use Sparingly)

When you select multiple formats, The Mockup Factory creates separate files for each format.

Example:

Selecting JPG + PNG for 10 designs × 5 templates = 100 files (50 JPG + 50 PNG)
Selecting JPG + PNG + PSD = 150 files (50 JPG + 50 PNG + 50 PSD)

File Volume Warning: Multiple format selection can quickly create overwhelming numbers of files and consume significant storage space.

When to Use Multiple Formats

Use Case 1: Web + Archive

Select: JPG + PNG
Why: JPG for immediate web use, PNG for archiving high-quality masters

Example: "I need JPGs for my Shopify store now, but I want PNG masters for future print materials."

Use Case 2: Web + Editing

Select: JPG + PSD (with No Effects)
Why: JPG for immediate use, PSD for future customisation

Example: "I need JPGs for my store, but I want PSDs to adjust backgrounds later."

Use Case 3: Complete Package

Select: JPG + PNG + PSD (with No Effects)
Why: Maximum flexibility (web, print, and editing)

Example: "I'm creating a master library and need all formats for different uses."

⚠️ Caution: Only use multiple formats if you have a specific plan for each file type. Otherwise, you'll create unnecessary files and waste storage space.

8.3 Output File Naming

Naming Convention (All Formats)

All output formats use the same naming convention—only the file extension changes.

Format: Element1_Element2_Element3.[extension]

Elements:

PNG – Your design file name
PSD – Your template file name
Settings – Processing type (e.g., WoodEngraving1, NoEffects)

Separator: Underscore (_)

Extensions:

.jpg for JPG files
.png for PNG files
.psd for PSD files

💡 Note: the underscore joins the three elements together. Hyphens within your own file names (e.g., Square-Wood.png) are fine and carry through unchanged.

Naming Examples

Scenario:

Design: Square-Wood.png
Template: WoodenCoaster.psd
Processing: WoodEngraving1
Naming Order: PNG - PSD - Settings

Output Files:

JPG only:

Square-Wood_WoodenCoaster_WoodEngraving1.jpg

PNG only:

Square-Wood_WoodenCoaster_WoodEngraving1.png

PSD only (No Effects):

Square-Wood_WoodenCoaster_NoEffects.psd

JPG + PNG selected:

Square-Wood_WoodenCoaster_WoodEngraving1.jpg
Square-Wood_WoodenCoaster_WoodEngraving1.png

JPG + PNG + PSD selected (No Effects):

Square-Wood_WoodenCoaster_NoEffects.jpg
Square-Wood_WoodenCoaster_NoEffects.png
Square-Wood_WoodenCoaster_NoEffects.psd

8.4 Customisable Naming Order

The Power of Smart Naming

The Mockup Factory gives you control over how output files are named by letting you choose the order of three elements:

PNG – Your design file name
PSD – Your template file name
Settings – Processing type and setting

The order you choose determines how your files are grouped when sorted alphabetically.

Option 1: PNG - PSD - Settings (Organise by Design)

Output Filename:

Square-Wood_WoodenCoaster_WoodEngraving1.jpg

When Sorted Alphabetically:

Circle-Wood_WoodenCoaster_WoodEngraving1.jpg
Circle-Wood_WoodenPlaque_WoodEngraving1.jpg
Rectangle-Wood_WoodenCoaster_WoodEngraving1.jpg
Rectangle-Wood_WoodenPlaque_WoodEngraving1.jpg
Square-Wood_WoodenCoaster_WoodEngraving1.jpg
Square-Wood_WoodenPlaque_WoodEngraving1.jpg

Best For:

✅ Tracking which designs you've processed

✅ Seeing all products for one design together

✅ Design-focused workflows

✅ Client presentations (all variations of one design)

Option 2: PSD - PNG - Settings (Organise by Product)

Output Filename:

WoodenCoaster_Square-Wood_WoodEngraving1.jpg

When Sorted Alphabetically:

WoodenCoaster_Circle-Wood_WoodEngraving1.jpg
WoodenCoaster_Rectangle-Wood_WoodEngraving1.jpg
WoodenCoaster_Square-Wood_WoodEngraving1.jpg
WoodenPlaque_Circle-Wood_WoodEngraving1.jpg
WoodenPlaque_Rectangle-Wood_WoodEngraving1.jpg
WoodenPlaque_Square-Wood_WoodEngraving1.jpg

Best For:

✅ Organising by product type

✅ Uploading to online stores (all coasters together, all plaques together)

✅ Product-focused workflows

✅ Inventory management

Option 3: Settings - PSD - PNG (Organise by Processing Type)

Output Filename:

WoodEngraving1_WoodenCoaster_Square-Wood.jpg

When Sorted Alphabetically:

NoEffects_WoodenCoaster_Circle-Wood.jpg
NoEffects_WoodenCoaster_Square-Wood.jpg
Sublimation1_CeramicMug_Circle-Print.jpg
Sublimation1_CeramicMug_Square-Print.jpg
WoodEngraving1_WoodenCoaster_Circle-Wood.jpg
WoodEngraving1_WoodenCoaster_Square-Wood.jpg

Best For:

✅ Comparing processing types side-by-side

✅ Testing which setting works best

✅ Organising by production method

✅ Multi-material businesses (engraving + printing)

All Six Naming Orders

There are six possible orders — every combination of the three elements:

Option	Order	Groups files by	Best for
1	PNG - PSD - Settings	Design	Client presentations, tracking designs
2	PSD - PNG - Settings	Product	Uploading to stores by product type
3	Settings - PSD - PNG	Processing type	Comparing settings, multi-material work
4	Settings - PNG - PSD	Processing, then design	Testing a setting across many designs
5	PSD - Settings - PNG	Product, then processing	One product, several finishes
6	PNG - Settings - PSD	Design, then processing	One design, several finishes

8.5 Choosing the Right Naming Order

Quick Decision Guide

Ask yourself: "What do I need to find quickly?"

If you need to find...	Use
All the products carrying one design	Option 1 (PNG - PSD - Settings)
All the designs on one product	Option 2 (PSD - PNG - Settings)
Everything processed with one setting	Option 3 (Settings - PSD - PNG)
One setting compared across designs	Option 4 (Settings - PNG - PSD)
One product compared across finishes	Option 5 (PSD - Settings - PNG)
One design compared across finishes	Option 6 (PNG - Settings - PSD)

Real-World Workflow Examples

Example 1: Online Store Owner (Product-Focused)

Goal: Upload all wooden coasters to Shopify, then all plaques, then all ornaments.

Best Settings:

Output Format: JPG only (web-optimised)
Quality: 8 (default)
Naming Order: PSD - PNG - Settings

Output:

WoodenCoaster_Circle-Wood_WoodEngraving1.jpg
WoodenCoaster_Square-Wood_WoodEngraving1.jpg
WoodenPlaque_Circle-Wood_WoodEngraving1.jpg
WoodenPlaque_Square-Wood_WoodEngraving1.jpg

Why This Works:

JPG files are small and fast to upload
All coasters grouped together alphabetically
Easy to select and upload by product type

Example 2: Custom Order Business (Design-Focused)

Goal: Create mockups for a client who wants to see their design on multiple products.

Best Settings:

Output Format: JPG only (for client preview)
Quality: 8 (default)
Naming Order: PNG - PSD - Settings

Output:

ClientLogo_WoodenCoaster_WoodEngraving1.jpg
ClientLogo_WineGlass_GlassEngraving2.jpg

Why This Works:

All variations of the client's design grouped together
Easy to send all mockups to client in one folder
Client sees their design on multiple products

Example 3: Print Catalogue Creation

Goal: Create high-quality mockups for a printed product catalogue.

Best Settings:

Output Format: PNG only (lossless quality for print)
Naming Order: PSD - PNG - Settings (product-focused)

Output:

WoodenCoaster_Design1_WoodEngraving1.png
WoodenCoaster_Design2_WoodEngraving1.png
WoodenPlaque_Design1_WoodEngraving1.png
WoodenPlaque_Design2_WoodEngraving1.png

Why This Works:

PNG provides lossless quality for print
Products grouped together for catalogue layout
High-quality files suitable for professional printing

Example 4: Master Library with Editing Capability

Goal: Create a master mockup library with both web-ready files and editable originals.

Best Settings:

Output Format: JPG + PSD (dual output)
Processing: No Effects (required for PSD output)
Quality: 8 (for JPG)
Naming Order: PNG - PSD - Settings

Output:

Design1_WoodenCoaster_NoEffects.jpg
Design1_WoodenCoaster_NoEffects.psd
Design2_WoodenCoaster_NoEffects.jpg
Design2_WoodenCoaster_NoEffects.psd

Why This Works:

JPG files for immediate web use
PSD files for future editing and customisation
Designs grouped together for easy management

⚠️ Storage Warning: This creates double the files and PSDs are very large (50–200 MB each). Only use this approach if you specifically need both formats.

8.6 JPG Quality Settings

Quality Slider (1–12)

Control the balance between file size and image quality for JPG output.

How It Works:

Lower numbers (1–4): Smaller file size, lower quality
Medium numbers (5–7): Balanced size and quality
Higher numbers (8–12): Larger file size, maximum quality
Default Setting: 8 (recommended for most users)

Note: Quality slider only applies to JPG output. PNG and PSD are always exported at full quality.

Quality Setting Guide

Quality	Typical file size	Quality level	Best for
1–4	Under 1 MB	Low	Not recommended for professional use
5–7	1–2 MB	Medium	Web thumbnails, quick proofs, email
8	2–3 MB	High ⭐	Online stores, product listings (default)
9–10	3–5 MB	High	Customer presentations, larger displays
11–12	5–8 MB	Maximum	Print materials only (consider PNG instead)

When to Adjust Quality

Use Lower Quality (1–7) When:

✅ Creating quick design proofs
✅ Sending mockups via email (smaller file size)
✅ Posting to social media (platforms compress anyway)
✅ Need to save storage space
✅ Processing hundreds of mockups at once

Use Default Quality (8–10) When:

✅ Uploading to online stores (Shopify, Etsy, etc.)
✅ Creating customer-facing mockups
✅ General production use
✅ Balancing quality and file size
✅ Most everyday workflows

Use Higher Quality (11–12) When:

✅ Creating print materials (brochures, catalogues, posters)
✅ Large-format displays
✅ Professional photography portfolios
✅ Archiving master mockups
✅ Client presentations requiring maximum quality

💡 Pro Tip: If you need maximum quality, consider using PNG output instead of JPG Quality 12. PNG provides true lossless quality.

8.7 Output Folder Organisation

Where Files Are Saved

You choose the output folder during plugin setup (see Section 4: Getting Started).

All processed mockups are saved directly to your chosen output folder.

File Overwriting Behaviour

⚠️ Important: If a file with the same name already exists in the output folder, it will be overwritten without warning.

Why This Matters:

Running the same batch twice will replace previous files
Changing one setting and re-processing will overwrite old versions
No automatic backup or versioning

Best Practice: Use separate output folders for different batches or versions.

Organising Output Folders

Recommended Folder Structure:

Mockup-Factory-Output/
├── JPG-Web/
│   ├── Coasters/
│   ├── Plaques/
│   └── Ornaments/
├── PNG-Print/
│   ├── Catalogue-2026/
│   └── Marketing-Materials/
├── PSD-Editable/
│   ├── Client-Projects/
│   └── Master-Templates/
└── Testing/
    ├── Quality-Tests/
    └── Settings-Tests/

Why Organise This Way?

✅ Prevents accidental overwriting

✅ Separates formats by use case

✅ Easy to find specific mockups

✅ Keeps testing separate from production

✅ Batch uploads are simpler

8.8 Managing Large Batches

Batch Size Considerations

Processing 100+ mockups? Here's how to stay organised:

1. Use Descriptive Output Folders

Bad:

Output/
└── Batch1/

Good:

Output/
└── 2026-07-16-Wood-Coasters-Christmas-JPG/

2. Be Strategic with Multiple Formats

Instead of selecting JPG + PNG + PSD for everything (file explosion!), do this:

Process JPG only for web use
Process PNG separately when you need print files
Process PSD only for specific mockups you'll edit

Example:

Output/
├── 2026-07-16-Coasters-JPG-Web/
├── 2026-07-16-Coasters-PNG-Print/
└── 2026-07-16-Coasters-PSD-Editing/

3. Create a Batch Log

Keep a simple text file in each output folder:

Example: _Batch-Info.txt

Batch Date: 2026-07-16
Designs: 10 Christmas designs (Square-Wood format)
Templates: WoodenCoaster.psd, WoodenPlaque.psd
Processing: Wood Engraving Setting 1
Output Format: JPG only
Quality: 8
Total Files: 20 mockups
Notes: For Etsy Christmas collection

8.9 Best Practices for Output Files

Do's ✅

✅ Choose JPG for web use (smaller files, faster uploads)

✅ Choose PNG for print or archiving (lossless quality)

✅ Choose PSD only when you need to edit (very large files)

✅ Select only the format(s) you need (avoid file overload)

✅ Use Quality 8 (default) for most JPG uses (excellent balance)

✅ Use separate output folders for different formats (stay organised)

✅ Choose naming order based on your workflow (design, product, or processing-focused)

✅ Back up important mockups (plugin will overwrite without warning)

Don'ts ❌

❌ Don't select multiple formats unless necessary (creates too many files)

❌ Don't select PSD for large batches (will create hundreds of GB)

❌ Don't use JPG Quality 12 when PNG is better (PNG is truly lossless)

❌ Don't use PNG for web when JPG is sufficient (unnecessarily large)

❌ Don't use the same output folder for all batches (risk of overwriting)

❌ Don't forget PSD is only available with No Effects (won't work with effects)

8.10 Troubleshooting Output Issues

Problem: PSD option is unavailable

Cause: A processing type other than No Effects is selected.

Solution:

Change processing type to "No Effects (Design Placement Only)"
PSD output only works without engraving/print effects
Why: Engraving and print effects cannot be preserved as editable layers in PSD output

Problem: Files are too large for my website

Cause: Using PNG or high-quality JPG for web use.

Solutions:

Use JPG instead of PNG for web
Lower JPG quality setting to 6–8
Use image compression tools after export

Prevention:

Use JPG Quality 8 for online stores
Reserve PNG for print materials only

Problem: Too many files created

Cause: Selected multiple output formats for large batch.

Solutions:

Delete unnecessary format files
Re-process with only the format you need

Prevention:

Only select multiple formats when you have a specific use for each
Process different formats in separate batches if needed

Problem: Files are too small/low quality

Cause: JPG quality setting too low.

Solutions:

Increase JPG quality to 8–10
Use PNG output for lossless quality
Re-process the batch

Prevention:

Stick with Quality 8 (default) or higher for customer-facing mockups
Use PNG for print materials

Problem: Can't open PSD files

Cause: PSD files require Photoshop to open.

Solutions:

Open in Adobe Photoshop (CC 2019 or later)
Use Photoshop alternatives (Affinity Photo, GIMP with PSD support)

Note: PSD files are Photoshop's native format and may not open correctly in all software.

Problem: Previous files were overwritten

Cause: Used the same output folder and file names as a previous batch.

Solutions:

No automatic recovery available (files are permanently overwritten)
Check if you have backups elsewhere
Re-process the batch if needed

Prevention:

Use separate output folders for each batch
Add dates to folder names
Back up important mockups to cloud storage

8.11 File Management Tips

Tip 1: Separate Folders by Format

Organise output folders by file format and use case:

Mockup-Factory-Output/
├── JPG-Web/
│   └── 2026-07-16-Christmas-Collection/
├── PNG-Print/
│   └── 2026-07-16-Catalogue-Photos/
└── PSD-Editable/
    └── 2026-07-16-Client-Customisations/

Benefits:

Clear separation of web vs. print vs. editable files
Easy to find the right format for each use
Prevents confusion

Tip 2: Back Up PSD Files Separately

PSD files are very large and valuable—back them up carefully:

Backup Strategy:

External hard drive (not cloud—too large for most plans)
Network-attached storage (NAS)
Dedicated backup drive

Don't:

Rely on cloud storage (PSDs can be 50–200 MB each)
Keep PSDs on your main drive only (risk of loss)

Tip 3: Archive Old Mockups

Move completed projects to an archive folder:

Mockup-Factory-Output/
├── _Archive/
│   ├── 2025-10-Halloween-JPG/
│   ├── 2025-10-Halloween-PNG/
│   └── 2025-11-Client-A-PSD/
└── Current-Projects/
    └── 2026-07-Christmas-Collection/

Tip 4: Use Consistent Naming for Input Files

Your output file names are based on your input file names.

Bad Input Names:

design1.png
design2.png
template.psd
template2.psd

Good Input Names:

Square-Wood-ChristmasTree.png
Rectangle-Wood-Snowflake.png
WoodenCoaster-Maple.psd
WoodenPlaque-Oak.psd

Result: Output files are self-explanatory regardless of format.

8.12 Quick Reference: Output Files

File Formats

Format	File size	Quality	Editable?	Available with effects?	Best for
JPG ⭐	2–5 MB	Adjustable (1–12)	No	Yes	Web, online stores, everyday use
PNG	5–15 MB	Always lossless	No	Yes	Print, archiving, transparency
PSD	50–200 MB	Lossless, layered	Yes	No — No Effects only	Further editing in Photoshop

Quality Settings (JPG Only)

Scale: 1–12 (higher = better quality, larger file size)
Default: 8 (recommended for most uses)
Web Use: 6–9
Print Use: 10–12 (or use PNG instead)

Naming Convention

Format: Element1_Element2_Element3.[extension]
Elements: PNG name, PSD name, Processing setting
Separator: Underscore (_)
Order: User-selectable (6 options)

File Overwriting

⚠️ Files with the same name are overwritten without warning
Use separate output folders for different batches

Organisation Strategies

Design-focused: PNG - PSD - Settings
Product-focused: PSD - PNG - Settings
Processing-focused: Settings - PSD - PNG

8.13 Next Steps

Now that you understand output files, you're ready to:

✅ Choose the right format for your use case (JPG/PNG/PSD)

✅ Select appropriate quality levels for JPG output

✅ Choose naming order for your workflow

✅ Organise output folders effectively

✅ Manage large batches efficiently

✅ Troubleshoot output issues

Continue to:

Section 9: Troubleshooting Guide – Fix common issues
Section 10: FAQ – Quick answers to common questions

Happy mockup creating! The Mockup Factory Team