Work Smarter, Not Harder: 2 New Workflow Boosts for Image Translate

TLDR: We’ve launched two major updates to streamline your workflow! You can now reuse existing Shopify files directly within the app (no more downloading and re-uploading) and prepare translations for unpublished languages. These features allow you to build a perfectly localized store behind the scenes before going live.

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Expanding your store into new markets shouldn’t feel like a chore. Our goal has always been to make translating your visual content as seamless as possible.

Today, we’re excited to announce two major workflow improvements designed to save you time and give you more control over how you manage your store’s localized content. Whether you’re tired of the “download-upload” loop or want to perfect your store before the big reveal, these updates are for you. You can even check them off your international selling checklist.

1. Stop the Re-upload Loop: Reuse Your Shopify Files

We know the drill: You’ve already painstakingly uploaded your product images to Shopify. Previously, if you wanted to translate an image, you often had to download it to your computer and then re-upload it to our app. It was tedious and, frankly, it just wasted your storage space.

The Solution: A Unified File Picker

We’ve introduced a new unified file picker that connects directly to your existing Shopify library. You no longer have to choose between “local” or “cloud”: it’s all in one place. This makes it easier than ever to show different product images for different languages.

• Search Instantly: Find the exact image you need by searching for the filename.
• Context Matters: See filenames and alt text right in the picker to ensure you’re grabbing the right version.
• Zero Redundancy: Stop cluttering your computer with duplicate image files.

How to use it:

1. Navigate to your Product Translation page.
2. Click the “+” icon to add an image.
3. Choose “Select file” to upload a new one, OR simply browse your Shopify files displayed below.
4. Use the search bar to find a specific asset.
5. Click to select, and you’re done!

2. Launch Like a Pro: Prepare Translations Before Publishing

First impressions are everything. One of the biggest requests we’ve received is the ability to work on translations for a language before it goes live on the storefront. Previously, you could only edit languages that were already published, which often led to a “mad dash” to finish translations the moment you hit publish.

The Solution: “Show Unpublished Languages”

You can now work behind the scenes. We’ve added a toggle that lets you prepare every single image translation while a language is still in “Draft” mode in Shopify. This is essential for maintaining a professional look when localizing product labels and packaging images.

• Prep in Advance: Get your French, Spanish, or Japanese store ready weeks before you actually launch.
• No Rushing: Take the time to ensure your translations are culturally accurate and visually perfect.
• Seamless Launch: When you finally hit “Publish” in Shopify, your translated images will be there waiting.

How to use it:

1. Go to the Settings page in the Image Translate app.
2. Enable the toggle: “Show unpublished languages.”
3. Head back to the translation editor. You’ll now see your draft languages in the list.
4. Add your translations at your own pace.
5. Once everything looks perfect, publish the language within your Shopify admin.

What’s Next?

We aren’t stopping here! We are currently working on even faster ways to bulk-edit image text and improved AI-detection for complex backgrounds. This will be particularly helpful for managing product infographics across multiple markets.

Have feedback? We build these features based on your suggestions! If there is a workflow bottleneck slowing you down, let us know.

Ready to try these new features?

Log in to your Shopify dashboard and open Image Translate to see these improvements in action.

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Need a hand?

• Browse the Guides: Check out our FAQ page for more tips.
• Contact Support: Have questions? Our team is here to help at our contact page.