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Upload zones

Last updated September 2, 2026

Some products are built entirely around the customer’s own photo (a framed print, a photo mug, an ID badge), and an upload zone is how you make that easy. Rather than leaving customers to size and position an image themselves, you hand them a fixed, pre-shaped spot that simply asks for their picture and drops it in perfectly. You stay in control of the shape, the accepted file types, the size limit and whether a photo is required at all, which keeps bad uploads out and orders flowing.

Upload zone vs. the Uploads panel

  • The Uploads panel lets customers add images anywhere they like (see Images & clipart).
  • An upload zone is a specific, pre-placed area you set up: the customer’s image fills that exact spot. Use it when the layout is fixed and you just need their picture in one place (a photo mug, a framed print, an ID badge).

You add an upload zone the same way you add other elements; it appears with a camera marker and the name Upload Zone.

Upload settings

Select the upload zone to open its Upload Settings:

  • Scale mode (how photo fills zone) — how the customer’s image fits the area (for example, fill the whole zone or fit inside it).
  • Required (block Add to Cart if empty) — when on, the customer can’t check out until they’ve added an image. If they try, they’ll see Please upload an image for: … naming the zone.
  • Accepted file types — choose any of JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, PDF. A customer who picks a disallowed type sees File type not allowed.
  • Max file size (MB) — the largest file allowed (default 10 MB, up to 100). Oversized files are rejected with File is too large (max … MB).
  • Placeholder text — the prompt shown in the empty zone (default Upload your image here).

Placeholder image & custom shapes

Instead of plain text, you can set a placeholder image for the zone. If that placeholder is an SVG shape, two extra options appear:

  • Clip all elements to SVG shape — the customer’s photo is cropped to the shape (a heart, a circle, your logo outline).
  • Customer Color — Allow customer to change placeholder color, with a Default color, so customers can recolour an SVG placeholder.

A note on SVG uploads

SVGs are powerful but can carry security risks, so customer SVG uploads are only accepted when you’ve enabled them and the file passes Sigmira’s safety check. If SVG upload is off, customers see SVG upload not available — try a PNG/JPEG instead. If a file fails the check, SVG rejected: … Try a different file. (Your own placeholder SVGs, added in setup, are separate from customer uploads.)

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