PBN Templates

What is a PBN template?

A paint by numbers template defines the layout of the print-ready TIFF file that Instant Art Kit generates for each order. It is the “frame” around the customer’s numbered canvas pattern and contains all the information your supplier needs to produce and fulfill the order correctly.

Every production file generated from a product uses the template linked to that product. Once configured, the template is applied automatically to every new order.

What a template includes

Logo

Upload your brand logo (or your supplier’s logo) to appear on every production file. The logo is placed at the top center of the canvas, above the numbered pattern. This keeps your branding visible on every file that leaves your store.

Color legend

The color legend lists all paint colors used in this specific customer’s design, each identified by its number and paint code. The legend is rendered on the right side of the canvas, beside the numbered pattern. Factories use this legend alongside the paint specifications sheet to match numbered regions to the correct paints.

Order number

The order number (pulled directly from Shopify) appears in the top-left corner of the production file. This allows your supplier to match every printed canvas to the correct customer order without any manual cross-referencing. You can also configure a prefix if you want to add a store or product identifier before the number.

QR code

A QR code is placed in the bottom-right corner of the canvas. This can link to an order lookup page, a product care guide, or any URL you configure. It is useful for post-purchase support and gives your customers a direct way to access help after the product is in their hands.

Print layout overview

The final production TIFF has a structured layout designed for professional printing:

• Top-left: Order number
• Top-center: Your logo
• Center: The numbered canvas pattern (the customer’s photo converted to paint regions)
• Right side: Color legend with paint numbers and codes
• Bottom-right: QR code

All elements are arranged within 1-inch margins at 300 DPI. This gives the file clean edges for production and prevents any important content from being cut during trimming.

How to configure a template

Step 1: Open the Templates section

In your Instant Art Kit dashboard, go to Templates and click Create template.

Step 2: Upload your logo

In the adjustments panel on the right side of the editor, click Upload logo file and select your logo image. The live preview on the left updates immediately so you can see how it looks on the canvas.

Step 3: Configure the color legend

Set the legend style and layout to match your brand preferences. The legend will always list all colors used in the specific customer’s order, but you can control the visual formatting.

Step 4: Set order number prefix (optional)

If you want order numbers to include a prefix (for example, “IAK-1234” instead of just “1234”), enter your prefix in the order number settings.

Step 5: Set the QR code URL (optional)

Enter the URL you want the QR code to link to. If you leave this blank, the QR code will not appear on the production file.

Step 6: Save and link to a product

Click Save template. Then navigate to your product mapping and assign this template to the relevant products.

When template changes apply

Changes to a template take effect on all new orders processed after the change is saved. Orders that have already been processed and have production files generated are not affected. If you need to regenerate a file for an older order, you would need to do so manually from the Print Jobs section.

Next steps