---
title: "Simple mockup | Customer's Canvas Hub"
canonical: "https://customerscanvas.com/docs/hub/designers-manual/mockups/pim-mockups/preview-thumbnail/simple-mockup/"
---

# Simple mockup

> You create a simple preview and thumbnail mockups without distortions for the PIM module.

In this article, you will learn how to create a mockup without distortions. You may need such a mockup for a product with a flat surface. 

Let's see an example with a T-shirt.

At the **Variant Selector** step, this mockup is in the role of a thumbnail mockup. At the **Preview** step, this mockup is a preview mockup. 

This is how this mockup looks as a preview mockup.

![A simple mockup without distortions.](images/01-preview-mockup.png)

Let's consider how to create such mockups. 

## Creating a file

To create a mockup in Photoshop, select **File** > **New**. When a new dialog box opens, fill in the following fields: 

* **Width** and **Height**. The recommended size for a thumbnail is about `600px x 600px`, and for a preview is `1000px x 1000px`. The measurement units are pixels.
* **Resolution**. Set to `72` DPI.
* **Color mode**. Select `RGB Color`.
* In the **Background Contents** drop-down box, select **White**.

In this example, you create a preview mockups for a T-shirt of `1000px * 1000px`.

![Settings for preview or thumbnail mockups](images/02-settings.png)

## Rasterizing the layer

Photoshop creates a file with only a background layer. To create a regular layer, double-click the layer and select **Layer from Background**. In a new dialog box, insert a new name, for example, `Background`.

Now the layer is rasterized, and you can add new layers and place some artwork.

![Rasterizing the default background.](images/03-background.gif)

## Adding a substrate and overlay layers

In this paragraph, you will learn how to add the overlays and the substrates layers. Read the [Mockup Anatomy](https://customerscanvas.com/docs/hub/designers-manual/mockups/pim-mockups/concept.md#mockup-anatomy) paragraph to learn the mockup anatomy. Now, let's add the overlay and the substrate layers to your mockup.

### Overlay

To add the overlay layer to a file, click **File** > **Place Embedded** or drag-and-drop an image. Then, rasterize it. For this, right-click the layer and select **Rasterize layer**.  Next, change the blending mode. To do so, select this layer and select the `Multiply` mode in the drop-down list above.

Here, the overlay layer is named `Texture`.

![Adding the overlay layer.](images/04-overlay.gif)

### Substrate

Let's add the substrate layer to the mockup based on the overlay layer.

To create the substrate layer, use the **Pen tool**. Make sure that you pick **Shape** in the **Tool** mode. Draw a shape exactly along the T-shirt outline. Once you start drawing, a new layer will appear.
Then, rename this layer to `Color`. Finally, drag this layer below the overlay in the layer list.

![Adding the substrate layer.](images/05-substrate.png)

### Visual effects   

You can add some extra effects to your design to make the image more realistic. For this, use shadows, highlights, reflection effects, etc. Before saving your file, make sure that these effects are rasterized.

## Creating a smart object

To create a smart object, add a new rectangle with the **Rectangle** tool. Its exact size doesn't matter, but the aspect ratio needs to match the aspect ratio of your design.

Next, resize the rectangle proportionally and place it in the necessary area of the T-shirt design.

![Creating a smart object.](images/06-rectangle.gif)

Afterward, rename this layer with the rectangle. For this, double-click the layer and input `Image`. Then, right-click this layer and select **Convert to Smart Object**. Finally, rename this layer `Design`. Then, place the layer between your overlay and substrate layers. In this example, it is between the `Texture` layers and the `Color` layers.

:::warning
The smart object must have the name `Design` and contain an `Image` layer.  These names allow Customer's Canvas to recognize your mockup.
:::

![Renaming a smart object.](images/07-smart-object.gif)

## Saving the mockup

To save the product, click Ctrl + S or click **File** > **Save** and select the PSD format.

## Uploading a mockup

To upload a mockup to the Customer's Canvas cloud, read the [Adding new assets](https://customerscanvas.com/docs/hub/admin-guide/manage-assets/file-manager.md#add-new-assets) topic.

## Connecting a mockup to a product

To read how to connect this mockup to a product, read the [Connecting assets to product](https://customerscanvas.com/docs/hub/admin-guide/pim/connecting-assets-to-products.md) article.