Creating mockup images in Photoshop can be one of the most repetitive and time-consuming parts of a designer’s workflow. If you’ve ever had to batch-create mockups for a large number of artwork files, you’re probably familiar with the mind-numbing process: open the PSD, replace the smart object with a new image, export the file, and repeat—again and again.
Fortunately, there’s a much better way to do it. With just a few clicks, you can fully automate this entire mockup-image-creation process using a plugin called the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin for Photoshop. It’s available through the official Adobe Exchange, and once installed, it dramatically simplifies how you generate mockup images at scale.
How the Batch-Replace Smart Objects Plugin Works
The plugin is straightforward to use. After installing it, you can quickly set up your first operation—select your mockup file, choose your input folder of images, pick an output folder, and hit Run. Even better, you can save these operations for reuse later, or even chain multiple operations together to run back-to-back automatically.
Batch-Replace Smart Objects with Ease
As the name implies, the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin specializes in one thing: batch-replacing smart objects inside your Photoshop files. Here’s how it works:
- It detects the smart object layer in your selected PSD file.
- If there’s only one smart object, the plugin automatically uses it for the operation.
- It cycles through every image in your input folder, inserting each one into the smart object.
- The plugin updates the mockup scene and exports the final image to your output folder.
Support for Multi-Layered Smart Object Files
If your mockup template includes multiple smart object layers, the plugin gives you full control. You can select the smart object you want it to operate on, and it’ll target that specific layer. Want to update multiple smart objects simultaneously? Just select all relevant layers, and the plugin will batch-process them based on your active selection.
This flexibility allows the plugin to support a wide range of workflows—whether you’re working with simple mockup scenes or complex, multi-layered templates. It’s one of the fastest and most efficient ways to streamline high-volume mockup production in Photoshop.
Batch Mockup Creation with Entire Folders of PSD Templates
Another standout feature of the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin is the ability to work with entire folders of PSD mockup templates—not just one document at a time. By toggling a different mode within the plugin, you can point it to a folder filled with multiple PSD files. The plugin will then process each file one by one, generating mockups for every artwork image in your input folder before moving on to the next PSD in the sequence.
How Folder Mode Works
Here’s how the workflow looks:
- Select the folder containing your PSD mockup templates.
- Choose the input folder with your artwork images.
- Select your output folder where the final mockups will be saved.
With everything configured, you’re ready to go.
Auto-Fit Artwork with “Stretch to Fit”
A particularly helpful feature in this process is the “stretch images to fit smart objects” option. If your artwork files aren’t perfectly sized to match the smart object layer—like inserting a 4×5 image into a square mockup—this feature ensures your artwork is automatically resized and stretched to fit the scene. Without it, you’d have to resize each image manually, a tedious and error-prone task. With it enabled, the plugin dynamically resizes your images during processing, so every mockup looks clean and professional.
Choose Your Export Format
You can also select your desired export format—JPEG or PNG. If your mockups involve transparency, PNG is ideal. The plugin will automatically detect transparency in your input images and preserve that alpha channel during export. This is especially useful for mockups with transparent backgrounds or layered compositions.
Fully Automated Workflow, Zero Hassle
Once your folders and options are set, just click “Run”. The plugin takes care of the rest: opening each artwork image, resizing it to match the smart object, updating the mockup scene, and exporting the final result to your output folder. In just minutes, you’ll have a full set of polished, production-ready mockups.
By automatically resizing your images in real time, the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin eliminates the need for manual pre-processing. Whether you’re working with a variety of image dimensions or files with transparency, this plugin handles everything—making bulk mockup generation faster, easier, and 100% automated.
Save and Automate Entire Mockup Workflows
If your workflow uses the same mockup templates and folder structure every time, the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin lets you save your operations so you can run them again later with a single click. It’s simple: just name your setup (for example, “Canvas Art Mockups – Room 5”), hit save, and it’ll appear in your “batches” section for quick reuse.
Chaining Operations with Workflows
But it doesn’t stop there. Instead of saving one-off operations, you can chain multiple operations into a single workflow. For example, Room 5 could be step one, Room 6 step two, Room 8 step three, and so on. Each step stores its own unique settings—file paths, export format, PSD file, etc.—and the plugin will run each step automatically in sequence:
- Step one: complete
- Step two: complete
- Step three: complete
This is especially useful if you’re producing multiple mockup variants of the same artwork, such as different room scenes or frame colors. As long as your PSD mockup templates share the same aspect ratio, you can select the folder of PSDs, a folder of artwork images, and a destination folder—and let the plugin handle the rest.
One Click for Dozens—or Thousands—of Mockups
Click “Run”, and the plugin gets to work. While it doesn’t always update Photoshop in real time (to conserve system resources), it quietly powers through the operation—replacing smart objects, resizing artwork, and exporting polished mockups in the background.
In one recent test, it generated 270 images in a single run. Manually creating that many would’ve taken hours. You’d need to open each file, drop in the artwork, resize it, export it, name it—again and again. With this plugin? Just a few clicks and you’re done.
Say you’ve got 100 artwork images and 10 mockup templates—that’s 1,000 mockup images. You could spend your entire weekend grinding through those by hand… or automate the whole thing in minutes with this plugin.
Mockup Automation That Feels Like Magic
Once you’ve used the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin, it’s hard to go back. Automating this part of your workflow doesn’t just save time—it removes the repetitive grunt work entirely. Whether you’re creating mockups for canvas art, apparel, mugs, posters, or any other print-on-demand product, this plugin makes the entire process fast, powerful, and ridiculously easy.
This definitely hits home—mockup creation has always been the most monotonous part of the job. Love that you can now queue operations; that’s a game-changer for large product catalogs.