Installation & First-Time Setup
Complete installation guide including system requirements, downloading, and first-time authentication
2.1 System Requirements
Before installing Bulk Made, ensure your system meets these requirements:
Software Requirements
- ✅ Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 or later (Creative Cloud subscription required)
- ✅ Active Bulk Made subscription (Standard, Print & Sublimation, or Professional plan)
- ✅ Internet connection for plugin authentication and download
Operating System Compatibility
- ✅ Windows: Windows 10 or Windows 11
- ✅ Mac: macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or later
Hardware Recommendations
- ✅ RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB+ recommended for processing large batches
- ✅ Storage: At least 2GB free space for plugin, templates, and output files
- ✅ Processor: Multi-core processor recommended for faster processing
⚠️ Important: Older versions of Photoshop (CS6, CC 2018 and earlier) are not supported. The plugin requires Photoshop CC 2019 or newer.
2.2 Installing ZXP Installer (Required First Step)
Before you can install the Bulk Made plugin, you need to install a free tool called ZXP Installer. This is the standard way to install Photoshop extensions.
Step 1: Download ZXP Installer
Visit: https://aescripts.com/learn/zxp-installer/
[Screenshot: ZXP Installer download page]
- Scroll down to find the download buttons
- Click "Download ZXP Installer for Windows" or "Download ZXP Installer for Mac" depending on your operating system
- The download is free - no account required
Step 2: Install ZXP Installer
Windows:
- Locate the downloaded file (usually
ZXP_Installer_vX.X.X.exein your Downloads folder) - Double-click the installer
- Follow the installation prompts
- ZXP Installer will be added to your Start Menu
Mac:
- Locate the downloaded file (usually
ZXP_Installer_vX.X.X.dmgin your Downloads folder) - Double-click to open the disk image
- Drag the ZXP Installer icon to your Applications folder
- If you see a security warning, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and click "Open Anyway"
💡 Pro Tip: You only need to install ZXP Installer once. It can be used to install any Adobe extension in .zxp format.
2.3 Downloading the Bulk Made Plugin
Step 1: Access Your Subscriber Dashboard
After subscribing to Bulk Made, you'll receive a welcome email prompting you to set your password.
[Screenshot: Website login page]
Website Login
- Click the link in your welcome email to set your password
- Once your password is set, you'll be taken to your subscriber dashboard
- Alternatively, visit bulkmade.com and click "Login" in the top right corner
Step 2: Navigate to Your Dashboard
[Screenshot: Subscriber dashboard]
Subscriber Dashboard
Your dashboard displays:
- Welcome message with your email address
- Subscription status badge (ACTIVE)
- Download Plugin section on the left
- Subscription details on the right (current plan, renewal date, access level)
Step 3: Download the Plugin for Your Operating System
In the "Download Plugin" section, you'll see two download buttons:
- Download for Windows (black button)
- Download for Mac (gray button)
Click the appropriate button for your operating system.
💡 Pro Tip: The file you download will be named BulkMade.zxp (or similar). Save it somewhere easy to find, like your Desktop or Downloads folder.
2.4 Installing the Bulk Made Plugin
Before You Begin
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Close Adobe Photoshop completely before installing the plugin. If Photoshop is running, the installation may fail.
Installation Steps
Step 1: Open ZXP Installer
- Windows: Find ZXP Installer in your Start Menu and click to open
- Mac: Open ZXP Installer from your Applications folder
[Screenshot: ZXP Installer main window]
Step 2: Install the Plugin
You have two options:
Option A - Drag and Drop (Recommended):
- Locate your downloaded
BulkMade.zxpfile - Drag the file directly onto the ZXP Installer window
- Drop it when you see the drop zone highlight
Option B - Use the File Menu:
- In ZXP Installer, click File > Open
- Navigate to your downloaded
BulkMade.zxpfile - Select it and click Open
Step 3: Wait for Installation to Complete
- ZXP Installer will show a progress indicator
- You should see a success message: "Installation Complete" or similar
- The plugin name "Bulk Made" will appear in the installed extensions list
Step 4: Launch Photoshop
Once installation is complete, open Adobe Photoshop.
Mac Users: Security Permissions
If you're on a Mac and see a security warning:
- Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy
- Click the "Open Anyway" button next to the Bulk Made message
- Confirm by clicking "Open" in the dialog that appears
2.5 Opening the Plugin in Photoshop
Step 1: Find the Plugin in the Extensions Menu
With Photoshop open, navigate to:
Window > Extensions > Bulk Made
[Screenshot: Photoshop menu showing Window > Extensions > Bulk Made]
Step 2: The Plugin Panel Opens
The Bulk Made plugin will open as a panel in the center of your Photoshop workspace.
[Screenshot: Plugin panel in Photoshop]
Plugin Interface
You can:
- Move the panel by dragging the title bar
- Dock the panel to the side of your workspace
- Resize the panel by dragging the edges
- Close and reopen it anytime from Window > Extensions > Bulk Made
💡 Pro Tip: Most users find it convenient to dock the Bulk Made panel on the right side of their workspace, similar to other Photoshop panels like Layers or Properties.
2.6 Login and Authentication
Step 1: Enter Your Credentials
When you first open the plugin, you'll see the login screen:
[Screenshot: Plugin login screen]
Login Screen
- Enter your email address (the one you used to subscribe)
- Enter your password (the one you set after subscribing)
- ✅ Check "Remember me" if you want to stay logged in (recommended)
- Click the "Login" button
⚠️ Important: You must have an active internet connection to authenticate. The plugin verifies your subscription status each time you log in.
Step 2: Authentication and Access
After clicking "Login," the plugin will:
- Verify your email and password
- Check your subscription status
- Confirm your plan level (Standard, Print & Sublimation, or Professional)
- Grant access to the appropriate features
[Screenshot: Main plugin interface after login]
Main Interface
After successful authentication, you'll immediately see:
- Two main tabs: Processing and Multiples
- Additional tabs: Support and Tutorials
- Current Plan display showing your subscription level
- Logout button
- Folder selection options
You're now ready to start creating mockups!
Understanding the "Remember Me" Option
✅ Check "Remember me" if:
- You're the only person using this computer
- You want to skip entering your login details each time you open Photoshop
- You trust the security of your workstation
❌ Uncheck "Remember me" if:
- Multiple people use this computer
- You're on a shared or public computer
- You prefer to manually enter your login details each session
2.7 Troubleshooting Installation Issues
Issue: Plugin Not Showing in Extensions Menu
Problem: After installation, you can't find "Bulk Made" in Window > Extensions.
Solutions:
-
Restart Photoshop completely
- Close Photoshop entirely (not just the document)
- Reopen Photoshop and check Window > Extensions again
-
Check your Photoshop version
- Go to Help > About Photoshop
- Verify you're running CC 2019 or later
- If you're on an older version, you'll need to update Photoshop
-
Reinstall the plugin
- Close Photoshop completely
- Open ZXP Installer
- Remove Bulk Made if it's listed (right-click > Remove)
- Re-install by dragging the .zxp file onto ZXP Installer
- Reopen Photoshop
-
Check the Extensions folder manually
- Windows:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CEP\extensions\ - Mac:
/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions/ - Look for a folder called
com.bulkmade.plugin
- Windows:
Issue: ZXP Installer Shows "Installation Failed"
Problem: ZXP Installer displays an error when trying to install the plugin.
Solutions:
-
Close Photoshop first
- Make sure Photoshop is completely closed
- Check Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to ensure no Photoshop processes are running
- Try installation again
-
Run ZXP Installer as Administrator (Windows)
- Right-click ZXP Installer
- Select "Run as Administrator"
- Try installing the plugin again
-
Check file integrity
- The download may have been corrupted
- Delete the BulkMade.zxp file
- Download it again from your dashboard
- Try installation with the fresh download
-
Disable antivirus temporarily
- Some antivirus software blocks extension installations
- Temporarily disable your antivirus
- Install the plugin
- Re-enable your antivirus
Issue: Login Authentication Fails
Problem: You enter your email and password, but login fails or shows an error.
Solutions:
-
Check your internet connection
- The plugin requires internet to authenticate
- Verify you're connected to the internet
- Try loading a website to confirm connectivity
-
Verify your credentials
- Make sure you're using the correct email address
- Check that your password is correct (passwords are case-sensitive)
- Try logging into bulkmade.com with the same credentials to verify
-
Reset your password
- Visit bulkmade.com and click "Forgot password?"
- Follow the email instructions to reset your password
- Try logging in again with your new password
-
Check your subscription status
- Log into your dashboard at bulkmade.com
- Verify your subscription shows as "ACTIVE"
- If expired, renew your subscription
Issue: Plugin Panel is Blank or Won't Load
Problem: The plugin opens but shows a blank panel or loading screen.
Solutions:
-
Check internet connection
- The plugin requires internet to load properly
- Verify your connection is stable
-
Clear Photoshop preferences
- Close Photoshop
- Hold Ctrl+Alt+Shift (Windows) or Cmd+Option+Shift (Mac) while launching Photoshop
- Click "Yes" when asked to delete settings
- Reopen the plugin
-
Update Photoshop
- Go to Help > Updates
- Install any available Photoshop updates
- Restart and try again
Issue: Mac Security Blocks Installation
Problem: macOS prevents ZXP Installer or the plugin from running due to security settings.
Solution:
- Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy
- Look for a message about the blocked application
- Click "Open Anyway"
- Confirm by clicking "Open" in the dialog
- Try the installation again
Installation Complete!
Congratulations! You've successfully installed Bulk Made and logged in for the first time.
Quick Installation Checklist
- ✅ ZXP Installer downloaded and installed
- ✅ BulkMade.zxp downloaded from your dashboard
- ✅ Plugin installed via ZXP Installer
- ✅ Photoshop restarted
- ✅ Plugin found in Window > Extensions > Bulk Made
- ✅ Logged in with your subscriber credentials
What's Next?
Now that you're set up, you're ready to learn about:
- Section 4: Subscription Plans - Understanding your plan's features and limitations
- Section 5: Getting Started - Your First Mockup - Complete walkthrough of creating your first batch
💡 Quick Start Tip: Before processing mockups, make sure you have:
- ✅ PSD template files with smart objects
- ✅ PNG design files ready to place
- ✅ An organised folder structure
Turn to Section 5 to create your first mockup batch!
Still Having Issues?
If you've tried these troubleshooting steps and still can't get the plugin installed or working:
📧 Contact Technical Support: support@bulkmade.com
Include in your email:
- Your operating system (Windows/Mac version)
- Your Photoshop version (Help > About Photoshop)
- The exact error message you're seeing (screenshot if possible)
- Steps you've already tried
We typically respond within 24 hours and will help you get up and running!
Happy mockup creating! The Bulk Made Team