Tutorials
Step-by-step guidance for downloading, opening, editing, and exporting your mockups. Whether you purchased a photo mockup or a video mockup, you’ll find the essentials here.
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Before you begin
Every mockup purchase includes the files needed to use that product, along with a PDF tutorial for reference. Before getting started, make sure you’re using the correct software for your mockup type and that you’ve downloaded all included files.
- Photo Mockups can be edited in Adobe Photoshop and Photopea.com (a free online editor)
- Video Mockups require Adobe Photoshop
- For best results, work from a desktop or laptop rather than a mobile device
- Be sure to fully extract ZIP files before opening PSDs
Downloads & file access
Everything you need to locate, download, and prepare your mockup files before editing.
Accessing Your Files
After purchase, you’ll receive an email with a PDF that includes your secure download link. Open the PDF, follow the link, and download your files to your computer before getting started.
Your mockup files will be contained within a ZIP file.
What’s Included in Your Purchase
Your purchase may include one or more PSD mockup files, along with any additional still frames or video assets required for the mockup to work properly. A PDF tutorial is also included to help guide you through the process.
Preparing Downloaded Files
After downloading the ZIP file, extract it fully before opening the PSD. Opening files directly from a compressed folder can lead to missing assets, incomplete previews, or other unexpected issues.
Understanding the Folder Contents
Some mockups rely on supporting assets in addition to the main PSD. Keep all included files together unless the tutorial specifically says otherwise. Moving, renaming, or deleting files may cause the mockup to stop working as intended.
Photo Mockup Instructions
Step-by-step guidance for opening, editing, and exporting static mockups.
Opening a Photo Mockup
Open the PSD file in your editing software. Once open, locate the Smart Object or clearly labeled artwork placeholder layer in the Layers panel. This is the layer you’ll edit to insert your design.
Inserting Your Artwork
Double-click the artwork placeholder layer to open it in a separate window. Paste or drag your artwork into that document, resize it as needed, then save the Smart Object window. When you return to the main mockup file, your artwork should appear automatically inside the scene.
Adjusting Artwork Size and Placement
Scale your artwork proportionally so it fills the placeholder area cleanly without unwanted cropping. If your artwork uses a different aspect ratio than the mockup, you may need to reposition it or prepare a version that better matches the frame orientation.
Note: the mat/border accommodates the use of artworks with different aspect ratios.
For example: the placeholder in the image above has a DIN A ISO aspect ratio (A2, A3, etc). But the mat/border allows you to showcase artworks with 3:4 or 2:3 aspect ratios.
Exporting the Final Image
Once your artwork is in place, export the finished mockup in your preferred format.
Using Alternative Editing Software
Most photo mockups will work in Photopea, especially when they rely on standard Smart Objects. Some advanced layer effects or linked elements may behave differently in Affinity Photo, so Photoshop remains the safest option if anything appears off.
Video Mockup Instructions
Instructions for working with animated mockups in Photoshop using the Timeline panel.
Software Requirements for Video Mockups
Video mockups require Adobe Photoshop with access to the Timeline panel. Before opening the file, make sure all included assets remain in the same folder so the PSD can reference them correctly.
Inserting Artwork in a Video Mockup
Open the PSD and locate the Smart Object or placeholder layer used for the artwork. Double-click it, place your artwork in the Smart Object, save the changes, and return to the main file. The updated artwork should then appear throughout the animated scene.
Previewing the Animation
Open the Timeline panel in Photoshop and press play to preview the animation. Playback may appear slightly choppy on slower systems or with large files, but the final export is usually much smoother.
Exporting the Final Video
Once your artwork is in place, use Photoshop’s export or render settings to create the finished video file. The default settings will be suitable for most cases: File > Export > Render Video
Important Compatibility Notes
Video mockups rely on Photoshop’s Timeline functionality and are not intended for Photopea or Affinity Photo. For video mockups, Adobe Photoshop is required.
Troubleshooting
Common issues and quick fixes to help you get back on track.
Ghosting or Doubled elements
In video mockups that include people, you may sometimes see a duplicate person in the scene. Usually, only one version moves, while the other stays frozen like a ghosted double.
This typically means the background footage needs to be relinked or replaced, and it is usually a quick fix.
Open the bottom folder, usually called Videos or Background, and locate the Smart Object layer inside. Right-click that layer and choose Replace Contents from the menu.
Then go to the Videos folder in the original unzipped download and select the video file with the same name as the layer you right-clicked. This should reset the mockup and remove the duplicate figure.
Smart Object Update Issues
Make sure you saved the Smart Object after placing your artwork. Then return to the main PSD and allow a moment for the preview to refresh. If nothing changes, confirm that you edited the correct placeholder layer and try reopening the file.
Broken or Missing Elements
This can happen if files were opened from inside a ZIP folder, if supporting assets were moved, or if the software does not fully support the file’s effects. Extract all files first, keep the folder contents together, and try again in Photoshop if needed.
Blurry Export Results
Check that your artwork was inserted at a high enough resolution and that you exported at the intended size. Low-resolution source artwork will reduce the quality of the final mockup.
Slow File Performance
Large PSDs and video mockups can be demanding on memory and processing power. Close other applications, give previews time to load, and work from a local drive rather than a cloud-synced folder when possible.
Locating Your Download Email
Check your spam, promotions, or junk folders first. If you still can’t find the message, contact support and include the name used for the purchase so we can help you locate your order.
Terms + license
You may use these digital files for personal or commercial purposes. That includes social media posts, Shopify/Etsy listings, etc.
The item cannot be resold or redistributed on its own, given away, loaned, spread for downloading, or used in a product offered for sale when the item contributes to the core value of the product that is being sold.
By purchasing this product, you accept these terms.
Need more help?
If you’re still having trouble, contact support and include a screenshot or short screen recording if possible. That usually helps us identify the issue much faster.