Set up product customization for apparel
Configure Chamevo for t-shirts, hoodies, jerseys, and other garments with multiple views, color variants, print areas, and design placement.
Apparel products β t-shirts, hoodies, jerseys, tank tops β are the most common use case for product customization. This guide walks through configuring a garment product from scratch, covering views, color variants, print areas, and the settings that matter for apparel.
What makes apparel different
- Multiple views: Front, back, and optionally sleeves, each with its own print area.
- Garment colors: Customers expect to choose a shirt color that updates across all views.
- Constrained print areas: Designs must stay within the printable zone, which varies by garment size and style.
- Resolution matters: Customer uploads need sufficient DPI for the print area size.
Step 1: Create the product structure
- Go to Chamevo β Products and create a new product.
- Open the product in the Product Builder.
- Create views for each printable side:
- Front β the main design area
- Back β the rear print area
- Left Sleeve / Right Sleeve (optional)
For each view, set the stage dimensions to match the aspect ratio of your garment template. A common starting point is 600Γ800 pixels for a vertical front view.
Add the garment image
For each view, add an image element for the garment template (the blank t-shirt photo or illustration):
- Add an image element with the garment graphic.
- Position it to fill the canvas.
- Set the element to not editable and not removable β customers should not move or delete the garment image.
- Set Exclude from Export so the garment image does not appear in the print-ready file.
- Move the element to the bottom of the layer stack.
Step 2: Define print areas
Each view needs a print area that matches the actual printable zone on the garment:
- In the Product Builder, configure the print area for each view.
- Set the print area dimensions to match your printer's specifications (e.g., 12" Γ 16" for a standard DTG press).
- Set the output DPI (typically 300 DPI for DTG printing).
- Position the print area overlay on the garment image so it aligns with the actual printable zone.
Elements added by the customer are constrained to this print area. The print-ready file outputs at the exact dimensions and DPI you configure.