Templates With Multiple Smart Objects

A template doesn't have to hold just one smart object. When it holds several, you can build far richer listing images — a design shown across a whole product range, a grid of variations, or a scene where each area carries something different.

There are two modes, and choosing between them comes down to one question: does every slot get the same design, or does each slot get its own?

The Two Modes

Same design on all smart objects

Your design goes into every smart object in the template, and effects are applied to each one. One design, shown many ways, in a single image.

✓ Perfect for:

Product ranges — one design shown across several styles of water bottle in one image
Colour variations — the same design on differently coloured ceramic mugs, side by side
Grid shots — a single design displayed across several products at once
Multi-angle views — front and back of a wooden block, or two views of a box lid

💡 Linked smart objects: If your PSD uses linked smart objects (duplicates of the same one), the plugin handles them automatically — no extra setup. Use them when you want identical placement across every view.

Different design per smart object

Each smart object gets its own design, matched up by folder name. Use it when the slots aren't showing the same thing.

✓ Perfect for:

Photo frames — your engraved design on the frame itself, and a photo placed in the picture area
Coaster sets — a different design on each coaster in the set
Multi-surface products — a box lid and box side carrying different artwork
Front and back labels — each with its own design

💡 Effects default: In this mode, effects are applied to the driver smart object only by default. To treat every slot the same, choose All smart objects (same effects to all) under "Apply Effects To". Handy when one slot is a photo that shouldn't be engraved, and one that needs it.

Setting Up: Same Design on All

Select Same design on all smart objects in the Smart Object Mode section
Choose your PNG folder (your design files)
Select your PSD folder (the templates with multiple smart objects)
Pick your effect settings
Click Continue to Processing Settings

Setting Up: Different Design Per Smart Object

This mode needs your PNGs organised into subfolders, so the plugin knows which design belongs in which slot.

1. Name your folders after your smart objects

Create a root folder containing one subfolder per smart object. Each subfolder name must match its smart object layer name exactly — this is case-sensitive.

PNG_Root_Folder/
├── SmartObject1/
│   ├── design_A.png
│   └── design_B.png
├── SmartObject2/
│   ├── photo_1.png
│   └── photo_2.png
└── SmartObject3/
    └── logo.png

2. Configure the plugin

Select Different design per smart object in the Smart Object Mode section
Choose your PNG Root Folder (the folder containing the subfolders)
Select the Driver Smart Object — this decides how many mockups you get
Pick your effect settings
Click Process All Combinations

How Many Mockups You'll Get

The driver smart object sets the count. Whichever slot you nominate as driver, its number of designs is the number of mockups produced — the other slots cycle through their designs alongside it.

Say SmartObject1 has 3 designs and SmartObject2 has 2 designs:

SmartObject1 as driver → 3 mockups (SmartObject2 cycles)
SmartObject2 as driver → 2 mockups (SmartObject1 cycles)

Or tick Create All Combinations to generate every possible pairing instead: 3 × 2 = 6 mockups.

Quick Reference

Feature	Same design on all	Different design per object
Design source	Single PNG folder	Subfolders named after smart objects
Placement	Same design in every slot	Each slot gets its own design
Effects applied to	All smart objects	Driver only (by default)
Best for	Ranges, colourways, grids, multi-angle	Frames, coaster sets, multi-surface
Linked smart objects	Yes (automatic)	Yes

Troubleshooting

A subfolder isn't being recognised

The subfolder name must match the smart object layer name exactly, including capitalisation. Check for trailing spaces and avoid special characters.

Effects are only landing on one smart object

That's the default in "different design per smart object" mode — effects go to the driver only. Select All smart objects under "Apply Effects To" if you want every slot treated the same.

I'm getting the wrong number of mockups

The driver's design count sets the output count. Either nominate a different driver, or enable Create All Combinations to generate every pairing.

Still stuck? Contact us at support@themockupfactory.com and we'll help you get your template working.

💡 Test small first: Folder naming and driver choice are easy to get slightly wrong. Run a sample batch with one or two designs before committing to a full run — it takes a minute and saves sorting through a folder of mockups you didn't want.

Next Steps

Get the basics of template setup right first, then pick the effects for each surface.

Setting Up Your Templates Processing Types Guide