Print quality and production output

Print quality and production output

Overview

When a customer saves a design, Appify CPO generates the files you configured in Storefront editor settings (gear icon beside the Designer / Image Edit toggle). Proof images, print-ready PNGs, cut-line SVGs, canvas JSON, and a production manifest attach to the order through a single Design Files link. Adjust export settings separately for Designer mode and Image Edit mode.

Output files

Configure these under Storefront editor settings → Designer → Export (Designer) or → Image Edit → Export (Image Edit):

Output Purpose
Proof PNG Always generated on save — customer-facing preview thumbnail and order verification image.
Print-ready PNG (with bleed) Full-resolution artwork including bleed margin for print fulfillment.
Cut-line SVG (die-cut) Vector trim path for die-cut and kiss-cut jobs. Requires a cut-line binding in Designer mode.
Canvas JSON Lets the customer re-open and edit the design before add to cart.
Production manifest (HTML) Placement spec with per-element thumbnails, calculator choices, and structured data for fulfillment. Designer mode only by default.

The Design Files HTML page links to downloads and opens from a visible cart line property on the order.

Export DPI

Export DPI sets the resolution of proof and print-ready PNG exports (default 300). Image Edit uses the same setting when customers click Done.

This is separate from the on-screen artboard — the editor scales artwork up to the configured DPI when rendering print files.

Low-resolution warnings

Enable Warn customers about low image resolution to alert customers when an uploaded image does not have enough pixels for the print size at your quality bar.

Setting Meaning
Recommended resolution (DPI) Target used for resolution warnings — compares effective pixels of the upload against the print area size.
Export DPI Target resolution for saved print files.

You can warn earlier than you export — for example, warn at 200 DPI while exporting at 300 DPI. If recommended resolution is higher than export DPI, warnings will not appear; Step 5 shows a publish warning when that happens.

When recommended resolution is 300 DPI, customers automatically see a gentler caution between 150–299 effective DPI and a stronger critical warning below 150. Set recommended resolution to 150 if you only want warnings below that level.

Warnings appear in the editor while the customer works — they do not block save unless you mark the Product Designer option as required and rely on your own fulfillment checks.

Production manifest and orders

When Save production manifest is enabled, each saved design includes an HTML placement document listing layer positions, sizes, calculator option values, cut files, and timestamps. Production notes from the comment button (Designer) also appear on the manifest when present.

On the order, the visible Design Files property opens the summary page. From there, staff or automation can download proof, print, cut line, manifest, and canvas JSON without parsing multiple separate line properties.

When Front / Back is enabled in Designer mode, the front save produces the primary proof and files. The back side appears as a separate section on the same Design Files page (labeled with your back-side name), with its own proof PNG, print-ready PNG, cut-line SVG, and canvas JSON when those outputs are enabled.

Examples

  • Poster print shop — 300 DPI export, warn at 150 DPI so customers upsize low-res phone photos before ordering.
  • Sticker fulfillment — Print-ready PNG + cut-line SVG + production manifest on; manifest feeds a RIP or cutter workflow while Design Files keeps the Shopify order tidy.
  • Double-sided sign — Customer saves once; Design Files lists Front and Back sections, each with proof and print downloads for fulfillment.
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