Purpose
To outline the process for creating, mapping, and managing PDF templates (single and multiple product) in PXM, including attribute mapping, image mapping, header/footer image requirements, and PDF generation.
1. Types of PDF Templates
Single Product PDF Template
Designed for one product.
Pulls attributes and the display image from the selected product.
Each mapped field on the template must correspond to an attribute in PXM.
If an attribute is missing, the field will be blank in the generated PDF.
Multiple Product PDF Template
Designed for multiple products.
Products must be added to a Lightbox to generate a multi-product PDF.
Attributes are mapped similarly to single templates.
2. Accessing PDF Template Settings
In the old UI (V2):
Go to: Admin > System > System Settings
PDF Sheet tab: Single product PDF templates.
Line List tab: Multiple product PDF templates.
In the New UI (V3):
Go to: Settings > System Settings
PDF Sheet tab: Single product PDF templates.
Line List tab: Multiple product PDF templates.
3. Mapping Attributes
Add attributes to the template as required by the customer’s design.
The number of attributes mapped should match the number of fields in the template.
To change an attribute:
Click the pencil icon.
Search and select the desired attribute.
To display the attribute title before the value:
Check the box next to the attribute.
You can click and drag the attributes to reorder them.
Always save changes after each modification.
4. Mapping Images
Single Image Templates:
If the PDF template includes only one image for a product, it will always pull the Primary Display image from PXM.
It is not possible to configure a single-image template to pull from an image stack; it will always use the Primary Display image.
Multiple Image Templates:
If the template includes multiple images for a product, it will pull images from an image stack in PXM.
Images will be pulled in the order they appear in the image stack.
Ensure the image stack is organized in the desired order before generating the PDF.
Images not pulling into Generated PDF?
If you have your Display image or your image stack set up and selected in your PDF template, then you may need to enable the small PNG option and convert the images so that variant exists in PXM.
Remember when you are converting your images to only convert about 100-200 at a time. Converting too many images may crash the instance.
5. Header and Footer Images
Headers and footers are not mapped fields; they are uploaded as an image. Please create one image (usually JPG) that includes both a header and a footer with the following specifications:
Image Specifications:
Small Header/Footer: 2448 x 305 pixels (each)
Large Header: 2448 x 1024 pixels
Large Footer: 2448 x 360 pixels
Large Middle Section: 2448 x 3168 pixels
The main (middle) section should be left blank for system-mapped content.
Reference templates are available in the V2 PDF template options Google Drive folder (see “small header template PDF”).
6. Template Customization and Requests
Access:
The PDF generator is only available to clients who have it included in their contract.
If a client does not have this feature, it must be added to their contract before proceeding.
Template Requests:
PDF templates will not be populated pre-mapped and ready to use.
A ticket will be submitted to the dev team to request a template to be created.
Custom Requests:
For custom template requests, consider involving Jeremy Sandstrom to confirm whether the customer’s requirements are technically possible.
Once approved, provide the dev team with detailed requirements, including:
Font preferences
Bold/italic/underline specifications
Color requirements (include hex codes)
Any other relevant design or mapping details
Fees:
Custom Builds will incur a charge based on their complexity.
*We are currently figuring out how to identify the complexity of the build and how to bill the customer.
7. Limitations
PDF templates are hard-coded.
Long attribute values (e.g., descriptions) may be cut off; no fixed character limit can be provided (though we have rough estimates available in this powerpoint also found at the end of this document PDF Template Specs).
Field space may vary depending on attribute presence and length.
8. Generating PDFs
Single Product PDF
V2: In the product folder, click the “PDF” button at the top of the page.
V3: In the product folder, click the three dots in the bottom right corner, then select “Generate PDF.”
Category Folder: Select the product, then use the three dots menu to generate the PDF.
Multiple Product PDF
Add products to a Lightbox.
In the Lightbox, click the three dots in the bottom right corner and select “Generate PDF.”
This process is the same in both V2 and V3.
9. Best Practices
Always save changes after editing templates or attribute mappings.
Use mock-ups for customer approval before submitting custom requests.
Document all custom requirements clearly for the dev team.
10. References
V2 PDF template options Google Drive folder (for header/footer image specs and all pdf template options). V2 PDF Template Options
If you would like to have a rough estimate on the character limits then you can access this powerpoint to see the templates with their rough spec estimates. PDF Template Specs