Understanding Processing Types
No Effects, Engraving, or Print UV / Sublimation — which one to choose and what each does to your design.
After Resize mode, Processing Type is the next choice you make when setting up a batch. It tells The Mockup Factory how to apply your design to each template — as a clean placement, or with a realistic surface effect that makes the design look physically engraved or printed onto the product rather than pasted on top.
It also controls what you see next: choosing an effect reveals extra dropdowns for the surface and setting. Get this choice right and everything downstream falls into place.
The Three Processing Types
No Effects (Design Placement Only)
Places your PNG straight into the template's smart object with no surface effect applied. It's the fastest option and gives you the raw design exactly as exported. No further dropdowns appear.
✓ Use when:
- Your template already looks realistic on its own
- The product is printed flat and needs no engrave/print texture
- You want the quickest possible batch
✗ Avoid when:
- You're mocking up an engraved or printed product
- The design needs to look sunk into the surface
- A flat, "pasted-on" look would seem unrealistic
Engraving Effects
Applies a realistic engraving look so your design appears etched into the material. Choosing this reveals two more dropdowns: Substrate Type (the material) and then Effect Setting (the preset that controls how the engrave reads on that surface).
✓ Use when:
- You sell engraved or etched products
- The material is wood, slate, glass, or leather
- You want the design to look burned or cut into the surface
✗ Avoid when:
- The product is printed rather than engraved
- You want full-colour output (engraving reads tonal)
How the dropdowns cascade: Pick Substrate Type (Slate, Wood, Glass, Leather), then pick an Effect Setting. Each substrate has its own presets — Wood, for example, offers Settings 1–10 to dial in grain and depth.
💡 Tier note: Engraving effects are unlocked on the Professional plan.
Print UV / Sublimation
Applies a realistic printed look, with the design sitting on the surface the way ink or sublimation would. Choosing this reveals a Print Type dropdown so you can match the effect to your printing method and substrate.
✓ Use when:
- You sublimate or UV-print your products
- The item is ceramic, white glass, stainless steel, or printed wood
- You want full-colour designs to read as printed
✗ Avoid when:
- The product is engraved rather than printed
- You want the raw placement with no surface treatment
Print Type options: Sublimation, UV Print on White, and UV Print on Wood 1–4 — the wood options vary how much of the bare grain shows through.
💡 Tier note: Print UV / Sublimation is unlocked on the Print & Sublimation plan and above.
Quick Reference
| Processing Type | Next choice | Best for | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Effects | None — straight placement | Flat / print-ready templates | Standard |
| Engraving Effects | Substrate → Effect Setting | Wood, slate, glass, leather | Professional |
| Print UV / Sublimation | Print Type | Sublimated / UV-printed goods | Print & Sublimation + |
Troubleshooting
I only see the Processing Type dropdown
The extra dropdowns only appear once you choose an effect. If you're on "No Effects (Design Placement Only)" there's nothing more to set — that's expected. Switch to Engraving or Print to reveal the substrate / print options.
My mockups look flat or "pasted on"
You're likely on No Effects. Pick the processing type that matches your product — Engraving for etched goods, Print UV / Sublimation for printed goods — so the design reads as physically applied.
The effect I want is locked
Engraving effects need the Professional plan; Print UV / Sublimation needs Print & Sublimation or above. Upgrade from your dashboard to unlock them.
I can't export a PSD when an effect is on
That's intentional. PSD output is disabled while effects are applied as the final mockup needs no furhter adjustment. Use No Effects if you specifically need a layered file.
Still stuck? Contact us at support@themockupfactory.com and we'll point you to the right setting.
Next Steps
Now you know which processing type to pick, dive into the effect guides to master the settings for your products.