CBD Mockup

With an ever increasing trend towards eCommerce and digital branding, it is important for designers to have a unique, realistic set of mockups in their arsenal. While pitching your design to a client, a realistic mockup  template can help you outshine the competition. Put simply, the right mockup can help the client visualize what the end product will look like with more clarity.

Let's jump to learning how to use a mockup template in 3 easy steps.
Step #1: Find and Download
You will find plenty of PSD mockup files to work with around the web - this includes both free and paid items. As far as paid mockups are concerned, www.eymockup.com has an entire category devoted to them. Check it out if you're looking for templates that are unique and ready to use.
Before we start, it's important to get acquainted with the folder structure of a professional mockup template. When you download a PSD mockup, it is typically saved as a zipped file. Once you extract its contents, take a close look at what the seller has included. Ideally, it should possess the following files:
.psd file of the mockup, which is the source file you will edit
.jpg file of the mockup, a preview of the template in action
.txt or .pdf file that explains what the mockup is about, who made it, and its long policy
For this example, let's use https://www.eymockup.com/product/mango-jam-jar-psd-mockup from eymock, here at Creative Market. Here is what the product looks like:

Unzip the file and take a look at what's inside:Like I mentioned before, you will often find a .jpg preview, a .psd source file, and some kind of documentation about the product.
The next step is to open the .psd file in Adobe Photoshop and study its layers. What you will find depends on how complex and detailed a mockup is. Understanding how the layers work on the template you're using is important because you are eventually going to replace its default elements with your custom content.
Our mango jam jar mockup file, for example, consists of four layers: one for the background color, one for the jar itself, and one for the apple and spoon you see on the right . There's also a layer of colourful designs popping on the jar .
If you are facing any difficulty while locating a particular layer, then you can click on the EYE icon (👁) to toggle visibility. The next step is to locate the Smart Object and open it.
Smart Object
In Photoshop, Smart Objects are the layers which bear image data from raster or vector images. These save the image's contents allowing you to perform a nondestructive editing of a layer. A layer containing a Smart Object has a particular icon over it which looks something like the one that reads "Design"

The last step is to replace the template's mockup content with your own custom content. To do so, just click the Smart Object icon of the layer. Doing so will open a new Photoshop window displaying only the artwork that you are going to replace.
Conclusion
Using mockup templates is quite easy. All you have to do is follow these three basic steps and your job is done. How often do you use mockups for your design projects? Leave your comments below.

Thank you.