Understanding product mapping
Instant Art Kit needs to understand which of your Shopify variants correspond to canvas sizes, stone types, and other product properties. Since Shopify gives you complete freedom in how you name and structure your variants, we can’t automatically know that “40x40cm best size” actually means a 40x40cm canvas.
That’s where product mapping comes in. It’s a one-time setup process where you tell Instant Art Kit how your Shopify product options map to our standardized properties.
Why mapping is necessary
Shopify allows freeform text for variant options. One store might use “Size cm”, another “Canvas dimensions”, and a third “Dimensions in centimeters”. Product mapping creates a bridge between your custom naming and Instant Art Kit’s standardized system.
How to map a product
Step 1: Navigate to products
In your Instant Art Kit dashboard, go to Products and click New product.
Step 2: Select your Shopify product
Choose the Shopify product you want to map from the dropdown list. Instant Art Kit will load all the variants and options from that product.
Step 3: Map your variant options
This is where you connect your Shopify options to Instant Art Kit properties. For each option in your Shopify product, select the corresponding Instant Art Kit property.
Example mapping
- Shopify option “Size cm” → Instant Art Kit property “Size in cm”
- Shopify option “Stones” → Instant Art Kit property “Stone type”
- Shopify option “Frame” → Instant Art Kit property “Frame option”
Step 4: Wait for processing
Our system will analyze all your product variants and create a clean mapping list. This usually takes a few seconds.
Step 5: Review and adjust
Once processing completes, review the variant mappings. You can adjust any individual variant if the automatic mapping didn’t get it quite right.
Step 6: Link a template
Select which template should be used for this product. The template defines the layout and branding of your production files.
Step 7: Save your mapping
Click Save to finalize your product mapping. Your product is now configured and ready to receive orders.
Important warning
Changing variant mappings after saving will wipe all existing data for that product mapping (though it never touches your Shopify store). If you need to make changes, all previous order data associated with this mapping will be cleared.
Common mapping scenarios
Diamond painting products
Typical mappings for diamond painting:
- Size → Size in cm (e.g., 30x40, 40x50, 60x80)
- Stone type → Round, Square, or Special
- Canvas type → Partial, Full
- Frame → With frame, Without frame