This guide explains what your shopper sees when a photo field runs AI effects. It is for merchants who have added an effect to an image field and want to know how the customer experiences it. If you set up the effects yourself, see image adjustments and filters.
When a photo field has an effect pipeline attached, the customer’s upload runs through it automatically. The shopper does not click a separate button. They upload a photo the same way they always would, and the effect runs on top. For the basics of the upload itself, see uploading a photo.
What the shopper sees during processing
After the customer picks a photo, a processing label and a spinner appear while the effect runs. The label reads “Processing…” so the shopper knows the work is happening.
How the effect runs depends on the effect type:
- A single background-removal effect can finish right in the customer’s browser. There is no server round-trip, so it tends to be fast.
- Richer effects, like an AI Style, are queued and run in the background. The shopper sees progress while they wait.
Once a background job starts, a Cancel button appears next to the progress. The shopper can stop the effect if they change their mind. If they cancel very late, after the job has already started rendering, the photo may still arrive shortly. In that case they can remove it from the cart afterward.
Compare before and after
When the effect finishes, the shopper can flip between the two versions of their photo. A toggle gives them “Show original” and “Show result”. This lets them confirm they like the change before they add the product to the cart.
A small badge shows how many effects were applied, for example “1 effect applied” or “2 effects applied”. That tells the customer the work ran.
One thing to know: the toggle only changes what is shown on screen. The photo that gets submitted with the order is always the processed result. Switching back to “Show original” is a preview, not a way to send the unedited photo.
When you let shoppers describe the style
If you set an AI Style effect to take a customer prompt, a text box appears where the shopper can describe the style they want. You choose whether that prompt is optional or required when you set up the effect.
- When the prompt is optional, the label reads “Describe the style (optional)”. The shopper can leave it blank, and your suggested style is used.
- When the prompt is required, the label reads “Describe the style for your photo”. The shopper must type something before the upload is allowed.
The text box has a 500-character limit, so the shopper keeps their description short. If what they type is likely to be blocked by the safety filter, a short hint appears asking them to rephrase. This is only a hint while they type. The same check runs again on the server, so the hint does not block them on its own.
Does the shopper have to start the effect manually?
No. The effect runs automatically once they upload a photo to a field that has it configured.
Can the shopper keep the original, unedited photo?
No. The Show original toggle is a preview only. The processed result is what gets submitted with the order.
What happens if the AI effect fails?
The original photo is used so the shopper can still complete checkout.
Why can the shopper not cancel after a while?
Once the job has started rendering, the photo may still arrive. The shopper can remove it from the cart afterward if they do not want it.
If a shopper reports a photo that will not finish or does not update, see changes not showing. If you get stuck, contact support.
Next: learn how the full personalization flow comes together in uploading a photo.