A proof image is a flattened PNG showing the final customized product exactly as the customer saw it in the preview before adding to cart. It's generated automatically at checkout and becomes the visual record of the order—both the customer and you get the proof to confirm what was ordered.
The proof includes:
The proof matches what the customer saw in the preview—no surprises.
In order details — View any order in your Shopify admin. Look for a line item property named Personalization Preview with a URL. Click the URL to view or download the proof.
In the cart — If the customer hasn't checked out, the proof URL appears as a line item property in their cart.
You can download and keep proofs for your records, fulfillment, or customer support.
In their cart — After adding a personalized product, if your theme displays line item properties, the proof is visible.
In order confirmation — Customers receive the proof URL in their order confirmation email and in their Shopify account order history.
This gives them a clear record of what they ordered.
The proof is created the moment the customer clicks Add to Cart. It captures the exact state of the preview at that instant:
If the customer goes back and changes options after adding to cart, the proof for that line item stays unchanged.
Proofs are stored and made available via a public URL. The URL is complex and unpredictable, making it private by default—only people with the URL can access the proof. You can share the proof URL with customers for support, reprints, or verification.
Proofs do not expire; the URL works indefinitely.
Proofs are generated at standard screen resolution for quick processing and storage efficiency. They're designed to be clear for order verification and fulfillment communication, not for high-quality printing. If you need a higher-quality version for print, you may need to recreate the design manually or use the coordinates from the option settings.
In rare cases, if proof generation fails during checkout, the product is still added to cart without a proof. You'll need to manually create a record or contact support. The personalization metadata is preserved even if the proof fails to generate.