How to generate images from templates

Once you have a template set up, you can generate as many finished images as you need — one for every product, variation, or marketplace. This guide walks you through the full process, from selecting a file to downloading your final image.

What image generation does

Image generation takes your template — with all its layers, text, and design choices — and renders it into a single image file. You provide the values that change from product to product (a title, a product photo, a price), and PixelFiddler combines everything into a ready-to-use image.

Think of it like a mail merge for product images: design once, generate for every listing.

Option 1: Generate from the Media Library

The easiest way to generate images is directly from the PixelFiddler dashboard. Start by navigating to your Media Library in the storage where you want the output saved.

Step 1: Select a file and open the generation dialog

Browse your Media Library and find the product image you want to use in a template. Click the actions menu (three dots) on the file and select Use in template.

This opens the template generation dialog where you configure everything before generating.

Step 2: Choose your template

In the generation dialog, select the template you want to use from the dropdown. You will see a list of all templates available in your current space.

Step 3: Fill in text layers

If your template includes text layers with variables, you will see input fields for each one. Type the values you want — product names, prices, taglines, or any other text your template expects.

For example, if your template has a “Product Title” variable, type the name of this specific product.

Step 4: Choose images for image layers

For any image layers that accept dynamic images, you can browse your Media Library and pick the file to use. The image you started with in Step 1 will already be assigned to the first image layer.

Step 5: Set the output filename

Give your generated image a descriptive filename. This is the name it will appear under in your Media Library after generation.

Name your files clearly

Use a naming pattern that helps you find images later, such as blue-widget-amazon-main.jpg or summer-sale-banner-facebook.jpg. When you generate dozens of images, clear names save a lot of time.

Step 6: Preview and generate

Before generating the final image, click Preview to see exactly how your image will look with all the values you entered. Check that text fits properly, images are positioned correctly, and the overall design looks right.

When you are satisfied, click Generate. PixelFiddler renders the template and saves the result to your media library.

Option 2: Generate in bulk

If you need to generate images for many products at once, you can repeat the generation process quickly from the dashboard. Keep the generation dialog open, change the product-specific values (name, photo, filename), and click Generate again for each product. This is the fastest way to produce a full catalog of images without opening a separate design tool.

Where generated images are saved

Every generated image is saved directly in your Media Library as a regular file. You can find it in the file browser just like any image you uploaded manually.

From there you can:

• Download the image to your computer
• Use it in another template for further variations

Sync vs. async generation

Not all templates generate at the same speed. PixelFiddler handles this automatically, but it helps to know what to expect.

Two generation modes

• Immediate generation — Templates that contain only standard layers (images, text, shapes, SVGs) are rendered right away. Your image is ready in seconds.
• Background generation — Templates that include AI image layers take longer because the AI model needs time to create the image. These are processed in the background, and you can track their status in the dashboard.

For background generation, you do not need to keep the page open. PixelFiddler will process the image and it will appear in your media library when finished.

The practical workflow

Here is the typical workflow that most e-commerce sellers follow:

1. Design your template once — Set up the layout, branding, text placement, and image positions. Get it looking exactly right for your marketplace.

2. Generate for each product — Open the generation dialog, fill in the product-specific details, and click generate. Repeat for every product in your catalog.

3. Download your images — Grab the finished images from your media library and upload them to your marketplace listings.

This approach means you never have to open a design tool for routine product images again. Change the template once, and every future image follows the updated design.

Tips for better results

Generate in bulk efficiently

You can generate multiple images in quick succession by repeating the process with different variable values. Keep the generation dialog open, change the product name and photo, update the filename, and generate again. This is the fastest way to produce a full catalog of images.

Always preview first

Use the Preview button before every generation. It only takes a moment and catches issues like text that is too long for its area or an image that does not fit the layer dimensions. Fixing a preview is much faster than regenerating.

Watch your filenames

If you generate an image with the same filename as an existing file, it will overwrite the original. Double-check your output filename before clicking Generate, especially when producing many images in a row.

Next steps

• Dynamic variables — Learn how to set up variables in your templates for flexible generation
• Marketplace sizes — Get the right dimensions for Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and other platforms
• Templates reference — Technical reference for template properties, layers, and variables