Introduction
Overview of PrintNow's Print Editor — a canvas-based HTML5 design editor for product customization with 3D previews, rules engine, and photo-realistic mockups.
PrintNow's Print Editor is a canvas-based HTML5 design editor embedded directly in your storefronts. It gives customers a full design experience — text editing, image placement, color selection, layout switching, and real-time previews — all in the browser with no software to install. Every design element is configurable by the admin, from the fonts and colors available to the conditional rules that control canvas behavior.
The editor supports multiple workflows: customers can design from scratch on a blank canvas, customize pre-built templates with locked and editable zones, apply alternative layouts, or upload their own print-ready files. Finished designs generate high-resolution, print-ready output with proper bleeds, trim marks, and CMYK color handling.
Products & Templates
Product Setup
Configure editor mode, color space, UI toggles, fonts, layouts, themes, and preview settings for each product.
IDML Templates
Create templates in Adobe InDesign and import IDML files into PrintNow with editable text and image zones.
Item Manager
View and edit template elements — drawing spaces, text items, and image placeholders — in a structured tree view.
Admin Mode
Configure item properties directly on the canvas — tag names, editing permissions, sizing constraints, and template proxies.
Template Data
Import, export, and replace product template files using IDML and .pn formats.
Layouts
Offer alternative designs for a product without creating separate products. Customers swap layouts while preserving their content.
Offline Templates
Downloadable PDF/ZIP templates for customers who prefer Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, or other external software.
Editor Modes
Simple Editor
Streamlined form-based editing for templates with predefined editable zones — ideal for business cards, labels, and stationery.
Advanced Editor
Full-featured canvas editor with layers, styling tools, image effects, and complete creative control.
Rules Engine
Define conditional logic that modifies canvas items based on design state — anchoring, swapping, moving, and styling elements.
Autofill Profiles
Pre-populate editor fields automatically using variables matched by tag name, assigned to users, groups, or as public defaults.
Design Assets
Background Themes
Organize and upload background images that customers can apply to product templates via assigned theme groups.
Elements
Manage clipart libraries in named groups — SVG, PNG, JPG. SVG elements allow customers to change individual colors on the fly.
Font Files
Upload custom TrueType fonts with up to four style variants per font. Fonts are scoped per storefront and assigned via font maps.
Color Pallets
Define system colors with RGB and CMYK values, organize into palettes, and assign to products, items, or text elements.
Image Libraries
Images
Manage all image libraries available in the Print Editor.
Site Albums
Storefront-wide image collections — brand assets, pre-approved logos, stock photography, and seasonal graphics.
User Albums
Administrative view of customer-uploaded image albums for browsing and management.
Live Preview
3D Models
Upload OBJ models from Boxshot, Blender, or other tools for live 3D product previews — packaging, boxes, and dimensional products.
Photo Merge
Create photorealistic mockups by merging customer designs into layered PSD files — ideal for apparel, drinkware, and signage.
Configuration
Editor Themes
Control the editor interface appearance with colors, background images, and custom CSS. Create and switch themes instantly.
Settings
Configure global defaults for rulers, proof behavior, DPI thresholds, font availability, and file upload handling.
Translations
Override any editor UI text label to translate into another language or match your brand's terminology.