Installation & Theme Setup Guide
Learn how to install Uplift Product Customizer and add it to your Shopify theme.
Prerequisites
- A Shopify store on any plan
- An Online Store 2.0 theme (Dawn, Craft, Sense, or similar)
- At least one product in your store
Installing the App
From the Shopify App Store
- Visit the Uplift Product Customizer listing in the Shopify App Store
- Click Add app
- Review the permissions and click Install app
- You'll be redirected to the Uplift dashboard
Permissions Explained
Uplift requests the following permissions:
| Permission | Why We Need It |
|---|---|
| Read/Write Products | To save customization configurations |
| Read Orders | To track customized orders |
| Read Themes | To integrate with your storefront |
Understanding the App Blocks
Uplift uses three app blocks that work together to create the complete customization experience:
| Block | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Option Controls | Displays customization options (swatches, checkboxes, radios, dropdowns) |
| Canvas Display | Shows real-time visual preview of the customized product |
| Price Display | Shows updated pricing as customers make selections |
You can add any combination of these blocks depending on your needs.
Adding App Blocks to Your Theme
This is a no-code installation using Shopify's Theme Customizer.
Step 1: Open Theme Customizer
- Go to Online Store → Themes in your Shopify admin
- Click Customize on your active theme
Step 2: Navigate to Product Template
- Use the page selector dropdown at the top center
- Select Products → Default product (or your custom product template)
Step 3: Add the Option Controls Block
This is the main block that displays your customization options.
- In the left sidebar, find your product information section
- Click Add block (or Add section depending on theme)
- Scroll down to Apps section
- Click Uplift Option Controls
- Position it where you want options to appear (typically below price, above Add to Cart)
Step 4: Add the Canvas Display Block (Optional)
Add this if you want to show real-time visual previews.
- Click Add block again
- Find Uplift Canvas Display in the Apps section
- Click to add it
- Position it where you want the preview (often alongside or above the product gallery)
Step 5: Add the Price Display Block (Optional)
Add this to show dynamic pricing that updates with selections.
- Click Add block again
- Find Uplift Price Display in the Apps section
- Click to add it
- Position it near your product price area
Step 6: Save Your Changes
Click Save in the top right corner.
Block Placement Recommendations
Option Controls
Best positions:
- Below the product title and price
- Above the Add to Cart button
- Within the main product form area
Canvas Display
Best positions:
- Replace or supplement the product image gallery
- In a side-by-side layout next to options
- Above the main product information
Price Display
Best positions:
- Near or replacing your theme's price display
- Below the Option Controls
- Near the Add to Cart button
Configuring Each Block
Option Controls Settings
Click on the block to access settings:
- Title - Customize header text (e.g., "Customize Your Product")
- Description - Add helper text for customers
- Show Title - Toggle the header on/off
- Layout Style - List or grid layout
- Swatch Size - Small, medium, or large swatches
- Colors - Accent color, background, borders
- Spacing - Margins, padding, option spacing
Canvas Display Settings
- Title - Preview section heading
- Show Title - Toggle header visibility
- Canvas Size - Width percentage
- Max Width - Maximum canvas size in pixels
- Alignment - Left, center, or right
- Background - Canvas background color
- Border - Add borders and border radius
Price Display Settings
- Price Format - How to display the price
- Show Add-on Count - Display number of selected add-ons
- Add-on Label - Text like "add-ons" or "extras"
- Typography - Font size and styling
- Animation - Enable/disable price change animation
Adding Blocks to Multiple Templates
If you have multiple product templates:
- Switch to each template in the Theme Customizer
- Add the desired blocks to each template
- Configure settings per template if needed
- Save all changes
Verifying Installation
After setup, verify everything works:
Check the Blocks
- Visit any product page on your storefront
- You should see:
- Option Controls section (may show "Loading..." initially)
- Canvas if added (may be empty until configured)
- Price Display if added
Check the Dashboard
- Open Uplift from your Shopify admin
- Configure a product with add-on groups
- Return to your storefront
- The options should now display
Test the Integration
- Make selections on a configured product
- Verify:
- Options respond to clicks
- Canvas updates (if configured with layers)
- Price updates (if Price Display block added)
- Add to Cart includes customizations
Hiding or Removing Blocks
Temporarily Hide
- Go to Theme Customizer
- Click on the block
- Click the eye icon to hide
- Save changes
Remove Completely
- Go to Theme Customizer
- Click on the block
- Click the trash icon
- Save changes
Theme Compatibility
Uplift requires Online Store 2.0 themes with app block support:
✅ Fully Compatible:
- All free Shopify 2.0 themes (Dawn, Craft, Sense, Taste, etc.)
- Most premium 2.0 themes from theme partners
- Custom themes built on OS 2.0 architecture
❌ Not Compatible:
- Vintage/Legacy Shopify 1.0 themes
- Themes without app block support
Troubleshooting Installation
Blocks Not Appearing in Theme Customizer
- Ensure you're on a product template (not homepage)
- Look in the "Apps" section when adding blocks
- Try refreshing the Theme Customizer
Options Not Loading on Storefront
- Verify the Option Controls block is added and visible
- Check that you've configured products in the Uplift admin
- Clear your browser cache
Canvas Showing Blank
- Canvas requires layer configuration in the admin
- Add base images and layers in Layers & Badges section
- See Canvas Visual Preview Guide
Uninstalling the App
To completely remove Uplift:
- First, remove all app blocks from your theme(s)
- Go to Settings → Apps and sales channels
- Find Uplift Product Customizer
- Click Uninstall
Next Steps
- Quick Start Guide - Configure your first product
- Managing Products - Set up customization options
- Canvas Visual Preview - Configure the canvas