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1. Limits you should know first
Maximum two variations per product (for example Size + Colour). The editor states this explicitly: “You can add up to 2 variations.”
Preset types for discoverability: Size, Color, Material, or Custom (your own axis name). Preset names behave best in filters on the public catalogue; Custom options do not appear in the same filter UX—use them only when presets truly do not fit.
Made-to-order: when This item is made to order is selected under How do you manage inventory?*, Manage quantities for this variation is disabled (made-to-order does not use per-option stock the same way as fixed stock).
2. Where to add variants
Flow | Path |
New product | Products → Add Product → Manual — find the Variants block. |
Existing product | Products → open the product → Edit — same variant editor inside the form. |
Start with Add Variants (or Add Another Variation when one axis already exists).
3. Wizard steps in the modal
Step A — Choose the variation type
Pick Size, Color, Material, or Custom (then type a Custom Variation Name).
Step B — Configure options
For that axis you can turn on:
Link photos to this variation — each option can have its own thumbnail (upload per option).
Enable price adjustments — when on, every option must have a total price greater than zero before you can finish (the editor validates this). Prices are full selling prices for that SKU, not a delta.
Manage quantities for this variation — when on (and stock mode is fixed), each option has its own Quantity field; total salable stock is derived from options.
Use Add Option to add rows; name each option (e.g. Oak, Walnut).
Finish with Done / Save Changes to attach the axis to the product. Use Manage to reopen the same axis later.
4. Reference price vs variant prices (Price & Inventory)
When at least one variation exists:
The main price field becomes Reference Price* (with a tooltip: used for listings, search results, and SEO).
Buyers still pay the variant option price when Enable price adjustments is on for that axis.
If no axis uses price adjustments, variants inherit the reference logic described in the form.
Keep the reference price realistic—it is what many surfaces show before a variant is chosen.
5. Shopify-linked products and price sync
If your product is connected to your own Shopify catalog, you may see Auto-sync prices from Shopify under Price & Inventory. When sync is on, variant and base prices are driven from your store rules; when you turn sync off (manual pricing on Oblist), the confirmation modal reminds you that Shopify price changes are ignored and promotions must be managed on Oblist.
6. Saving an Approved product
Changes limited to variants and options—including per-option price, quantity and image—are operational and do not trigger a new curation review by themselves.
Save the variant modal, then use Save and continue on the full product page. Closing the modal alone does not publish the change.
If the same save also changes a critical field such as the product title, description, main gallery/video, category, condition or certain base-price settings, the product moves to Need Review for that critical part. The previously approved version stays live until approval.
For a Shopify-linked product with Auto-sync prices from Shopify on, Shopify remains the price source. Turn auto-sync off only when you intend to manage Oblist pricing manually.
See From product edit to live: review, publication and sync for the complete status and sync flow.
7. Related reading
Markets, currencies, and product prices on The Oblist — markets / currencies overview.
How to manage market pricing and availability — the Advanced pricing modal.
How to mark products as made-to-order — stock mode vs variants.
8. Need help?
Open Vendor Dashboard chat and include a screenshot of your variant modal and the product Edit URL.