TRANSCRIPT

This tutorial explains how to use Podzilla candle smart mockups (PSD/Photopea/Photoshop-style “smart objects”) to create realistic candle listing images faster—especially matching the candle’s matte finish and slightly muted print look.

It assumes you’ve already watched foundational smart-mockup training (e.g., the course lessons mentioned in the video).

What You’ll Need

• Candle mockup PSD/Photopea file with multiple artboards

• Your design artwork (PNG/JPG)

• Photopea (PhotoPE/PhotoP) or Photoshop

• Basic keyboard shortcuts (copy/paste/save)

Key Concepts (Before You Start)

1) Smart Object Workflow

Each mockup has a layer like “Design Here” that opens a smart-object window where you paste your design.

2) Matte Candle Reality = Muted Colors

Candle prints look less vibrant than a flat PNG. You’ll usually need to:

• Adjust overlay opacity to reduce weird bright corners/shine

• Adjust design opacity to simulate muted/matte print

3) Speed Trick: Copy Your “Resized” Design

Once you resize the design the first time, copy it so the next mockup paste is already close to the right size.

Step-by-Step: Editing Text on the Lid

1. Open the mockup artboard you want

2. Find the lid text layer

3. Double-click the text to edit

4. Use ALL CAPS for this specific lid font to keep letter sizing consistent

Note: Lowercase may cause uneven letter sizes (e.g., H and B appearing different).

Step-by-Step: Simple PNG Graphic (Single Candle)

1. Open your main mockup artboard

2. In Layers, locate the mockup you want → double-click the thumbnail to open

3. Open the layer labeled “Design Here” (smart object)

4. Paste your PNG (Ctrl/Cmd + V)

5. Resize and position:

   • Leave a small margin top/bottom

   • Center within the printable area

6. Click the checkmark to confirm transform

7. Copy the resized design (for faster pasting into the next mockup)

8. Save the smart object (Ctrl/Cmd + S)

Fixing Bright Corners / Shine

• Expand the Overlays group

• Find the “black cutout” overlay layer

• Adjust overlay opacity until corners look natural

Muting for Matte Finish

• Select the design layer (often the lower/bottom design layer)

• Reduce design opacity until it matches realistic candle print (slightly muted/pastel)

If opacity doesn’t change anything, you’re likely on the wrong layer—try the bottom “design” layer.

Save Glitch Note

Sometimes Ctrl/Cmd+S needs to be pressed twice before you see “Smart object updated.” If it doesn’t update:

• Press save again

• Or reselect the smart object tab and save again

Step-by-Step: Colored Background (Full Wrap Look)

Use this when your design is a full background/pattern.

1. Open a candle mockup smart object (“Design Here”)

2. Paste the background design

3. Resize so it covers the entire printable area

4. Choose placement intentionally (ex: placing darker areas where the mockup has natural shadows)

Tune Realism

• Adjust black cutout overlay opacity to control shine/highlights

• Adjust design opacity to simulate the muted matte finish

Goal: Avoid buyer complaints like “color isn’t as vibrant as photos.”

Step-by-Step: Front & Back Design (Two Candles)

Use this when you want a design on both sides of the candle.

1. Choose a mockup artboard that shows two candles

2. Edit the left candle smart object:

   • Paste design

   • Resize and center

   • Copy the resized design

   • Save (Ctrl/Cmd + S)

3. Edit the right candle smart object:

   • Paste the copied (already-sized) design

   • Make small adjustments only

   • Save

4. If needed, adjust overlays/opacity so text/design doesn’t look blown out in corners

Exporting Your Mockups

1. File → Export As

2. Choose JPEG (smaller file size for Etsy)

3. Export All Artboards

4. Photopea/Photoshop may export as a ZIP

5. Unzip and upload the images you want

You don’t need to use every artboard every time—skip blanks or weak angles.

Best Practices

• Don’t be afraid to test opacity sliders—undo is your friend.

• Always save smart objects and confirm they updated on the artboard.

• Aim for realism: muted colors + proper wrap/shadow looks better than flat Canva overlays.