Bulk Made Documentation

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Frequently asked questions about features, subscriptions, and workflows

Quick Answers to Common Questions

This section provides fast answers to the most frequently asked questions about Bulk Made. Questions are organized by category for easy navigation.

General & Getting Started

What is Bulk Made?

Bulk Made is a Photoshop plugin that automates mockup generation for personalized product businesses. It allows you to create hundreds of professional mockups in minutes by batch-processing your designs through PSD templates with smart objects.

Perfect for:

- Engravers (wood, slate, glass)

- Sublimation printers

- UV printers

- Personalized gift makers

- Print-on-demand sellers

Who is Bulk Made for?

Bulk Made is designed for makers, engravers, and personalized product sellers who need to create large quantities of mockups quickly.

Ideal users:

  • You have multiple design variations to showcase

  • You need realistic product mockups for your online store

  • You want to save time on repetitive mockup creation

  • You need production-accurate previews (engraving/print effects)

  • Not ideal for: Users without Photoshop CC 2019+

Do I need Photoshop experience to use Bulk Made?

Basic Photoshop knowledge is helpful but not required.

What you need to know:

  • How to open and save files

  • Basic file organization

  • Understanding of image resolution (helpful but we provide guidance)

What you DON’T need to know:

  • Advanced Photoshop techniques

  • Layer masking or complex editing

  • Smart object creation (we provide templates and tutorials)

We provide:

  • Step-by-step user manual

  • Video tutorials

  • Email support for technical and creative questions

Can I try before I buy?

  • No free trial is available, but you can cancel anytime.

Why no trial?

  • Monthly subscriptions are low-risk (cancel anytime, no commitment)

  • Full access from day one

  • No feature restrictions

Risk-Free:

  • Subscribe monthly

  • Test the plugin with your workflow

  • Cancel anytime if it’s not right for you

Subscription & Billing

How does billing work?

Monthly Billing:

  • Charged automatically each month

  • Same date each month (e.g., if you subscribe on the 15th, you’re billed on the 15th)

  • Manage billing through your dashboard at bulkmade.com

Annual Billing:

  • Pay for 10 months, get 2 months free (12 months for the price of 10)

  • One payment upfront

  • Significant savings compared to monthly

Payment Methods:

  • Credit/debit card

  • Managed through secure payment processor

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes! You can cancel your subscription at any time with no penalties or fees.

How to Cancel:

  1. Log in to your dashboard at bulkmade.com

  2. Go to Account > Subscription

  3. Click Cancel Subscription

  4. Confirm cancellation

What Happens:

  • Access continues until the end of your current billing period

  • No further charges

  • You keep all mockups you’ve already created

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

When you cancel:

✅ You keep all mockups you’ve created (they’re yours forever)

✅ Access continues until end of billing period (you paid for the full month/year)

❌ Plugin access ends after billing period (cannot create new mockups)

❌ Cannot log in to plugin after expiration

Your mockups are safe:

  • All JPG files you’ve generated remain on your computer

  • No files are deleted

  • You own the mockups you created

Resubscribing:

  • You can resubscribe anytime

  • Same account and login

  • No data loss

Do I keep my mockups if I cancel?

Yes, absolutely!

All mockup files (JPG outputs) you’ve created are saved on your computer and remain yours forever.

What you keep:

  • All generated mockup JPG files

  • Any templates you purchased separately (if applicable)

  • All designs and project files

What you lose access to:

  • The plugin itself (cannot create new mockups)

  • Ability to log in and process new batches

💡 Pro Tip: Your mockups are standard JPG files stored on your hard drive. Back them up regularly!

Can I upgrade from Standard to Pro?

Yes! You can upgrade anytime.

How to Upgrade:

Option 1: Within the Plugin

  • Click the upgrade prompt when you try to use a Pro feature

  • Follow the upgrade link

Option 2: Via Website

  • Log in to your dashboard at bulkmade.com

  • Go to Account > Subscription

  • Click Upgrade to Pro

What Happens:

  • Upgrade takes effect immediately

  • Pro features unlock instantly (no reinstall needed)

  • Billing adjusts to Pro rate from next billing cycle

  • No reinstallation required!

Can I downgrade from Pro to Standard?

Yes, you can downgrade anytime.

How to Downgrade:

  1. Log in to your dashboard at bulkmade.com

  2. Go to Account > Subscription

  3. Select Downgrade to Standard , confirm downgrade

What Happens:

  • Downgrade takes effect at the end of your current billing period

  • You keep Pro access until then

  • After downgrade, Pro Processing Types are locked (grayed out)

  • Standard features remain fully functional

Note: You cannot downgrade mid-cycle. You’ll keep Pro access until your next billing date.

What’s your refund policy?

  • No refunds are offered.

Why?

  • Digital products provide immediate value and access

  • You can cancel anytime (no long-term commitment)

  • Monthly subscriptions are low-risk

Alternative:

  • Subscribe monthly and cancel if not satisfied

  • No trial period, but cancel-anytime policy provides flexibility

Do you offer discounts?

Annual Billing Discount:

  • Pay annually and get 2 months free (12 months for the price of 10)

  • Significant savings compared to monthly billing

No other discounts available:

  • No student discounts

  • No educational discounts

  • No bulk/team discounts (currently)

Best Value:

  • Annual billing (save 2 months)

  • Pro plan (if you need engraving/print effects)

Technical Requirements

What version of Photoshop do I need?

Required:

  • Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 or later

  • Subscription version (Creative Cloud)

Not Compatible:

  • Photoshop CS6 or earlier (standalone versions)

  • Photoshop Elements / Express

  • Other image editors (GIMP, Affinity Photo, etc.)

How to Check Your Version:

  1. Open Photoshop

  2. Go to Help > About Photoshop

  3. Check version number (must be CC 2019 or newer)

Need to Update?

  • Update via Adobe Creative Cloud app

  • Restart Photoshop after update

  • Install Bulk Made plugin

Does Bulk Made work on Windows and Mac?

Yes! Bulk Made works on both Windows and Mac.

Important:

  • Separate installers for Windows and Mac

  • Download the correct version from your dashboard

  • Plugin functions identically on both platforms

Compatibility:

  • Windows: Windows 10 or later

  • Mac: macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or later

  • Mac M1/M2 chips: Fully compatible

Does it work with Photoshop Elements?

No. Bulk Made requires Photoshop CC 2019 or later (subscription version).

Why not Elements?

  • Elements has limited plugin support

  • Smart object functionality differs

  • API compatibility issues

Alternatives:

  • Upgrade to Photoshop CC subscription

  • Adobe offers Photography Plan (Photoshop + Lightroom) at affordable rates

Do I need internet connection to use the plugin?

  • Internet is only required for initial login authentication.

When you need internet:

  • First-time login to the plugin

  • Logging in after subscription renewal

  • Logging in on a new computer

When you DON’T need internet:

  • Processing mockups (all processing is local)

  • Batch generation

  • Day-to-day use (once logged in)

💡 Good News: Process mockups offline! Internet is only for authentication, not for mockup generation.

How much disk space do I need?

  • Recommended: - Minimum 10 GB of free space for comfortable batch processing

Why?

  • PSD templates can be 20–100 MB each

  • Output mockups are 2–5 MB each (JPG)

  • Large batches (100+ mockups) can generate 200–500 MB of output files

  • Photoshop needs temp space for processing

Best Practice:

  • Keep 10+ GB free on your hard drive

  • Regularly archive old projects to external or cloud storage

Use an SSD for faster processing

Using the Plugin

How long does processing take?

Processing speed depends on several factors:

Typical Speed:

  • 2–5 seconds per mockup

  • 10 mockups = ~30 seconds

  • 50 mockups = ~3–5 minutes

  • 100 mockups = ~5–10 minutes

Factors Affecting Speed:

  • Computer specs (RAM, processor, SSD vs HDD)

  • File sizes (larger PSD/PNG files take longer)

  • Processing type (Pro effects add processing time)

  • Other programs running (close other apps for faster processing)

Optimization Tips:

  • Process in smaller batches (under 100 mockups)

  • Close other programs

  • Don’t use computer during processing

See Section 8.7: Performance Optimization

How many mockups can I create at once?

  • No hard limit, but practical considerations apply.

Recommended: - Under 100 mockups per batch for best results

Why Smaller Batches?

✅ Faster processing

✅ Easier to organize output files

✅ Less overwhelming

✅ Easier to troubleshoot if issues arise

✅ Lower risk of running out of disk space

Large Batches (100+):

  • Takes much longer to process

  • Output folder becomes overwhelming

  • Higher risk of errors

  • Harder to find specific mockups

Best Practice:

  • Split large projects into multiple smaller batches

  • Organize by product type, substrate, or client

  • Process 20–50 mockups at a time for optimal workflow

What file format are the output mockups?

Output Format: JPG (JPEG)

Specifications:

  • High-quality JPG files

  • Adjustable quality (1–12 scale, default is 8)

  • Typical file size: 2–5 MB per mockup

  • Ready for web and print use

Why JPG?

  • Smaller file sizes (easier to store and share)

  • Universal compatibility (works everywhere)

  • Perfect for online stores, social media, and print materials

  • High quality at reasonable file sizes

Can I adjust the JPG quality?

Yes! You can select JPG quality during processing.

Quality Scale: 1–12

  • 1–3: Low quality (not recommended)

  • 4–6: Medium quality (small file sizes, visible compression)

  • 7–9: High quality (recommended for web/online stores)

  • 10–12: Maximum quality (best for print, larger file sizes)

Default Setting: Quality 8

  • Excellent balance of quality and file size

  • Perfect for most uses

How to Adjust:

  • Select quality level in plugin settings before processing

  • See Section 7.7: JPG Quality Settings for detailed guidance

Can I change the output format to PNG?

Yes! You can choose between JPG or PNG output format.

How to Select Output Format:

  • Before clicking "Process All Combinations," select your preferred format using the radio buttons

    • JPG (recommended): Smaller file sizes, faster processing, universal compatibility

    • PNG: Larger file sizes, supports transparency (though not needed for mockups)

When to Use PNG:

  • If your workflow requires PNG format

  • If file size is not a concern

Note: Most use cases (online stores, social media, print) work perfectly with JPG.

Where are my mockups saved?

You choose the output folder before processing.

Workflow:

  1. Select Output Folder in plugin settings

  2. Choose a location on your computer (e.g., Desktop, Documents, project folder)

  3. Process mockups

  4. All JPG files are saved to your chosen output folder

Best Practice:

  • Create a dedicated “Bulk Made Projects” folder

  • Organize by product type, client, or date

  • Use subfolders for Templates, Designs, and Output

See Section 4: Folder Organization for detailed guidance

File Naming:

  • Plugin automatically names files based on your settings

  • Combines PNG name, PSD name, and processing settings

See Section 7.6: Output File Naming for details

Processing Types (Pro Features)

What are Processing Types?

Processing Types are Pro-only effects that simulate real production methods.

Available Processing Types:

  • Engraving Effects:

    • Wood Engraving (multiple settings for depth/burn)

    • Slate Engraving (multiple settings for contrast)

    • Glass Engraving (multiple settings for frosting)

  • Print Effects:

    • Sublimation Print

    • UV Print on White Substrate

    • UV Print on Wood Substrate (2 levels for wood tone)

    • No Processing (Standard Plan):

  • Flat design placement

    • No effects or textures

    • Clean, simple mockups

See Section 6: Processing Types for detailed explanations and examples.

What’s the difference between engraving and print effects?

  • Engraving Effects:

    • Simulate laser engraving on materials

    • Add depth, texture, and burn marks

    • Realistic wood grain, slate texture, or frosted glass appearance

    • Multiple settings for different engraving strengths

  • Print Effects:

    • Simulate printing methods (sublimation, UV printing)

    • Add ink saturation, substrate interaction, and color shifts

    • Realistic print-on-wood or print-on-white effects

    • Settings for different substrate tones

Use Cases:

  • Engraving: For laser engravers, rotary engravers

  • Print: For sublimation printers, UV printers, direct-to-substrate printing

💡Pro Tip: Create reference libraries by testing all settings with your actual production equipment to find the best match.

Which processing type should I use for my product?

Match the processing type to your production method:

Laser Engravers:

  • Wood Engraving (for wooden products)

  • Slate Engraving (for slate products)

  • Glass Engraving (for glass products)

Sublimation Printers:

  • Sublimation Print

UV Printers:

  • UV Print on White (for white substrates)

  • UV Print on Wood (for wood substrates)

  • No Production Equipment (Just Showcasing Designs):

  • No Processing (Standard Plan)

Settings Are Numbered:

  • Each processing type has multiple numbered settings

  • Test all settings to find the best match for YOUR equipment

  • Create a reference library for future use

See Section 7 for detailed guidance and examples.

Can I use Processing Types on the Standard plan?

No. Processing Types are Pro Plan exclusive features.

Standard Plan:

  • Flat design placement (No Processing)

  • No engraving or print effects

  • Processing Type options are grayed out in the plugin

Pro Plan:

  • All engraving effects (Wood, Slate, Glass)

  • All print effects (Sublimation, UV on White, UV on Wood)

  • Multiple settings for each effect

To Use Processing Types:

  • Upgrade to Pro Plan (see Section 3: Subscription Plans)

  • Upgrade takes effect immediately (no reinstall needed)

How do I know which setting to use?

Settings are numbered, not named, because every production setup is different.

Best Practice:

  1. Create a Reference Library

    • Run a test batch with ONE design through ALL settings

    • Print/engrave the actual products using your equipment

    • Compare mockups to real products

    • Note which setting matches your production best

  2. Document Your Findings

    • Keep a reference sheet (e.g., “Wood Coasters = Wood Engraving Setting 3”)

    • Update as your equipment or settings change

    • Share with team members if applicable

  3. Use Consistently

    • Once you find your match, use that setting for all future batches

    • Adjust if you change equipment or production methods

Why Numbered?

- Your laser power, speed, and material vary

- Your printer settings, ink, and substrate vary

- No single “correct” setting for everyone

See Section 7.8: Creating Your Reference Library for step-by-step guidance.

Templates & Files

Can I use my own custom templates?

Yes! You can use any PSD template, as long as it contains at least one smart object.

Requirements:

- PSD file format

- Compatible with Photoshop CC 2019+

- Contains at least one smart object

- 300 DPI recommended

Where to Get Templates:

- Create your own in Photoshop

- Purchase from bulkmadestudio.com (optional)

- Use templates from other sources (ensure they have smart objects)

No Requirement to Buy Templates:

- Bulk Made plugin works with any compatible PSD

- You’re not required to purchase templates from us

See Section 4: Creating Smart Objects for guidance on making your own templates.

Can I request specific product templates?

Yes! You can request specific product mockup templates.

How to Request:

- Visit bulkmadestudio.com/requests

- Submit your product request

- We’ll consider it for future template creation

Note:

- Requests are considered but not guaranteed

- Popular requests are prioritized

- No timeline for custom requests

Alternative:

- Create your own custom templates (see Section 4)

What file formats can I use for designs?

  • Supported Format: PNG only

Requirements:

  • PNG file format

  • Transparent background

  • 300 DPI resolution

  • RGB color mode

  • Design centered on canvas with footprint edge

Not Supported:

❌ JPG (no transparency)

❌ TIFF

❌ SVG (vector format)

❌ AI (Adobe Illustrator)

❌ PSD (designs must be PNG; templates are PSD)

See Section 9.6: File Requirements for detailed specifications.

Do my designs need transparent backgrounds?

Yes, for best results.

Why Transparency Matters:

  • Allows design to blend naturally with mockup

  • No white box or visible edges around design

  • Professional-looking results

How to Create Transparent PNGs:

  1. Design in Photoshop, Illustrator, or other design software

  2. Delete or hide background layer

  3. Save As > PNG (ensure transparency is enabled)

  4. Verify transparency by opening in image viewer

Solid Backgrounds:

  • May work for square designs on square products

  • Can create visible edges or white boxes

  • Not recommended for most uses

What resolution should my designs be?

Minimum: 300 DPI

Recommended:

  • 300 DPI resolution

  • Large pixel dimensions (e.g., 3000×3000 px for coasters)

  • High-quality source files

Why 300 DPI?

  • Professional print quality

  • Sharp, clear mockups

  • No pixelation or blurriness

  • Suitable for web and print use

How to Check Resolution:

  1. Open PNG in Photoshop

  2. Go to Image > Image Size

  3. Check resolution (should be 300 DPI or higher)

💡Pro Tip: It’s better to downscale a large design than upscale a small one. Always start with high-resolution files.

What’s a smart object?

A smart object is a special Photoshop layer that preserves image quality and allows non-destructive editing.

Why Smart Objects Matter:

  • Plugin replaces smart object content with your designs

  • Maintains quality when resizing

  • Allows distortion/perspective adjustments

  • Enables batch processing

  • How to Identify Smart Objects:

  • Look for a small page icon in the bottom-right corner of the layer thumbnail in Photoshop’s Layers panel

Where to Learn More:

  • Section 4: Creating Smart Objects (step-by-step guide)

  • Video tutorials on Bulk Made YouTube channel

Commercial Use & Licensing

Can I use mockups for commercial purposes?

Yes! Mockups you create with the Bulk Made plugin can be used commercially without restrictions.

What You Can Do:

  • Sell products using these mockups

  • Use mockups on Etsy, Amazon, Shopify, etc.

  • Use in client work

  • Use in marketing materials

  • Use on social media

  • No attribution required

Plugin-Generated Mockups:

  • No licensing restrictions

  • You own the mockups you create

  • Use them however you want

Important Exception:

If you purchase mockup templates from bulkmadestudio.com, those templates have separate licensing terms

Check bulkmadestudio.com for template licensing details

Do I need to credit Bulk Made?

No credit or attribution required.

You can:

  • Use mockups without mentioning Bulk Made

  • Brand mockups as your own

  • Use in client work without disclosure

Optional:

  • You’re welcome to mention Bulk Made if you’d like

  • Share your experience with other makers

  • But it’s not required

Support & Resources

How do I contact support?

Technical Support:

  • Email: support@bulkmade.com

  • For: Plugin issues, installation, login, processing errors, technical bugs

Creative Support:

Response Time:

  • Typically within 24–48 hours (business days)

  • Check email for response (including spam folder)

Before Contacting Support:

  • Review Section 9: Troubleshooting Guide

  • Try basic troubleshooting (restart Photoshop, check files, etc.)

  • Include detailed information (OS, Photoshop version, error messages, screenshots)

What’s your response time for support?

  • Typical Response Time: 24–48 hours (business days)

What to Expect:

  • Email response within 1–2 business days

  • Faster for urgent issues (login, billing, critical bugs)

  • May take longer during weekends/holidays

How to Get Faster Help:

  • Include detailed information in your first email

  • Provide screenshots, error messages, system specs

  • Describe steps you’ve already tried

See Section 9.10: When to Contact Support

Is there a tutorial or user guide?

Yes! Multiple resources are available:

User Manual:

  • This complete user manual (Sections 1–10)

  • Step-by-step instructions

  • Troubleshooting guidance

  • Best practices and pro tips

Video Tutorials:

  • Bulk Made YouTube channel

  • Installation and setup

  • First mockup batch walkthrough

  • Advanced tips and techniques

Email Support:

Still Have Questions?

If your question isn’t answered here:

  • Check the User Manual – Sections 1–9 cover detailed topics

  • Review Troubleshooting Guide – Section 9 solves common issues

  • Watch Video Tutorials – Bulk Made YouTube channel

  • Contact Support – support@bulkmade.com or creativehelp@bulkmade.com

Happy mockup creating! The Bulk Made Team