Frequently Asked Questions
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Brand
10 questions
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Yes. I photograph everything in my own studio. Custom Scene is a one-person business — I shoot, edit, build, and publish every product myself.
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Custom Scene is my studio. I’ve been running it as a solo operation since 2014. I photograph everything myself, build every product, and handle support personally. It’s a one-person business — everything that ships reflects directly on me, which is why quality matters so much.
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Yes. I’m the only person behind Custom Scene. I do the photography, product building, publishing, and customer support myself. That’s been the case since the business launched in 2014.
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Yes. Every object, every scene, every mockup — I photograph it all in my own studio. Nothing is outsourced, rendered, or AI-generated. What you see in the product previews is exactly what was captured with a camera.
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In my photography studio. The objects are arranged, lit, and photographed there, then deconstructed into layered files. The whole process — from shooting to building to publishing — happens in one place.
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I started Custom Scene in 2014 to give designers access to realistic, studio-quality assets that actually look like real photography — not the flat, generic renders that were common at the time. The photography-first approach was a deliberate choice from the beginning.
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Real photography captures things that rendering can’t replicate: genuine texture, organic imperfections, natural light falloff, and real depth. Buyers who present work to clients notice the difference — clients respond differently to images that look like a real photo shoot than to ones that look like 3D renders.
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Yes. Every item in the store — books, notebooks, wax seals, stationery, plants, ceramics — is a real physical object photographed in my studio. There are no virtual props or 3D models anywhere in the library.
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Regularly. I work in batches, so releases tend to come in sets rather than one at a time. Subscribe to the newsletter or follow @customscene on social media to be notified when new packs drop.
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Yes. Customer requests, reviews, and support conversations directly influence what gets added to the store. If you have a request, share it via the support page — it may well end up as a future product.
Compatibility
14 questions
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Yes — PSD is the native format for Photoshop and the file type most of my products are built around. Once you open the file you’ll find a clearly organised layer structure: a smart object layer labelled [YOUR DESIGN HERE] (double-click it, place your design, save and close), a Change Color layer for swapping object colours, and separate shadow and lighting layers you can toggle or adjust freely. Compatible with Photoshop CS3 or higher, on Mac or Windows.
For a full step-by-step walkthrough, read the Photoshop Mockup Tutorial.
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Yes. Two options depending on the product: some mockups include a dedicated .afdesign file built natively for Affinity Designer — this gives the best experience and full layer control. Most mockups also include a PSD file, which Affinity Designer opens directly. When using a PSD in Affinity, smart objects become embedded documents (double-click to edit, same principle as Photoshop), though some advanced blending effects may render slightly differently.
The workflow and layer structure are the same either way: find the [YOUR DESIGN HERE] layer, place your artwork, customise colours and shadows using the labelled layers, and export as JPEG or PNG. The tutorial works on both iPad and desktop.
For a full step-by-step guide, read Affinity Mockups: 5 Easy Ways to Use Custom Scene in Affinity Designer.
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Yes. Affinity Photo supports PSD files fully, including smart objects and layer groups. The workflow is the same as Photoshop — open the PSD, find the smart object layer, double-click to edit, save. Some products also include native .afdesign files that work in both Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo.
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Yes — many mockups include a dedicated .procreate file built for iPad workflows. These are not the same as the PSD files: Procreate doesn’t use smart objects, so placement works differently. You manually place your design onto the [YOUR DESIGN HERE] layer, position and scale it to fit, then use the Fill Layer function on colour-labelled layers to change object colours.
All Procreate files are created at 2732 × 2048px at 300 DPI — the full resolution of a 13-inch iPad Pro. Older iPads may support fewer layers at this resolution; merging or flattening groups before editing helps if that’s an issue.
For a full step-by-step guide, read Procreate Mockups: 4 Easy Steps to Create Stunning Designs on Your iPad.
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Compatibility varies by file type:
- PSD files — work in Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Designer/Photo
- PNG files — work in virtually any app including Procreate, Canva, and Photoshop
- .afdesign files (included with some products) — native Affinity Designer format for best results
- .procreate files (included with some products) — native Procreate format for iPad workflows
Check each product page to see exactly which file types are included.
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It depends on the file type:
- PSD files — Adobe Photoshop (any current CC version) or Affinity Designer/Photo
- PNG files — any image editor: Photoshop, Affinity, Procreate, Canva, or similar
- Procreate files (.procreate) — Procreate on iPad
- .afdesign files — Affinity Designer (recommended for best native results)
You don’t need all three — just pick the app that fits your workflow.
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Yes. Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo both open PSD files and support smart objects. PNG packs require no specialist software at all — they work in Canva, Procreate, or any other design tool. Procreate files work on iPad. You have options.
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PSD files require Photoshop or Affinity — Canva doesn’t support them. However, PNG files (from PNG packs and editable object packs) can be imported directly into Canva and placed over your designs. If you work exclusively in Canva, PNG packs are the right product type for you.
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Yes. PNG files with transparent backgrounds import directly into Canva. You can layer them over your designs, resize them, and reposition them just like any other element. PNG packs are the most Canva-compatible product type in the store.
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Yes. The smart object workflow is simple: open the PSD, find the layer marked as the design placeholder, double-click it, paste your artwork, and save. Your design drops into the scene automatically. PNG packs are even simpler — just drag and drop into your chosen app. No advanced skills required.
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Yes — via the Procreate app. PNG files and any included Procreate files work on iPad. PSD files require desktop Photoshop or Affinity. If you work primarily on iPad, look for products that include PNG files or Procreate-specific versions.
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Any current version of Adobe Photoshop CC will work. Smart objects and layer groups have been standard in Photoshop for many years, so there’s no minimum version to worry about for most customers.
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Yes. Photoshop and Affinity are both available for Windows and Mac. The PSD files work identically on both operating systems. PNG files are universal.
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PNG packs are your best option — they work in virtually any design app. If you use Affinity, PSD files work there too. For Procreate on iPad, look for products that include PNG or Procreate files. The Free Files section is a good place to test before buying.
Downloads
17 questions
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After purchase you’ll receive a confirmation email with a download link. You can also access all your purchases at any time by logging into your account and going to My Account > Downloads. All products are digital — there’s nothing to wait for.
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Yes. All products are digital and available immediately after your payment is confirmed. You don’t need to wait for shipping or processing — your download link is ready as soon as the order goes through.
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In two places: your order confirmation email, and inside your account at My Account > Downloads. Log in with the same account you used to purchase, and every download you’ve ever made will be listed there.
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Yes. An account is required to complete a purchase and access your downloads. If you haven’t created one yet, you’ll be prompted to do so during checkout. Logging in later gives you permanent access to everything you’ve purchased.
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Yes. All purchases are saved to your account permanently. Log in at any time and go to My Account > Downloads to re-download any product you’ve purchased. There’s no expiry on your download access.
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Log into your account and navigate to My Account > Downloads — your files are always available there regardless of whether the email link has expired. If you’re still having trouble, contact support.
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Make sure the download completed fully before trying to open it — a partial download will appear corrupted. On Mac, use the built-in Archive Utility or The Unarchiver. On Windows, use the built-in extraction tool or WinZip/7-Zip. If the file still won’t open, try re-downloading from My Account > Downloads.
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On Mac: double-click the ZIP file and it extracts automatically. On Windows: right-click the ZIP file and select ‘Extract All’. Once extracted, you’ll find the PSD, PNG, or other files inside the resulting folder.
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Yes. Downloads arrive as ZIP files containing the product files (PSD, PNG, and any extras). Extract the ZIP before trying to open the files inside.
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You’ll receive a confirmation email with a download link, but the files themselves aren’t sent as attachments. Click the link in the email (or go to My Account > Downloads) to download the ZIP file directly to your computer.
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Try re-downloading from My Account > Downloads — this resolves most issues caused by incomplete downloads. Make sure you have a stable internet connection and enough free disk space. If the problem persists after re-downloading, contact support and include your order number.
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High-resolution photography files are large by nature — that’s what gives them their realistic quality. Make sure you have enough free disk space before downloading and extracting. A stable connection helps too, since large files can fail partway through on unstable connections.
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Yes. Every purchase is stored in your account permanently. Log in at customscene.co/my-account and click Downloads to find everything you’ve ever bought, ready to re-download at any time.
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Yes. Free files are downloaded exactly the same way — find them at customscene.co/free-files, add them to your cart at zero cost, and they’ll appear in My Account > Downloads alongside your paid purchases.
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First, check your order email and your spam folder, your download link is in there, and everything also lives on your Downloads page. If it’s genuinely missing, message me with the email you bought with and I’ll get your files to you right away.
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Have a look in your spam or promotions folder first, that’s where it hides most of the time, and make sure you’re checking the same inbox you bought with. You can also grab your files any time from your Downloads page. Still nothing? Message me and I’ll resend it.
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No limit. You can re-download your purchases any time from your Downloads page. If a link ever stops working, just ask and I’ll refresh it.
Files
18 questions
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It depends on the product. Most scene creators and mockups include layered PSD files with smart objects. Editable object packs include layered PSDs. PNG packs include high-resolution transparent PNG files. Some products also include Affinity or Procreate versions. Always check the individual product description for the exact formats included.
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File types vary by product:
- Scene Creators and Mockups — layered PSD files with smart objects; some also include .afdesign (Affinity) or .procreate files
- Editable Object Packs — layered PSD files with individual objects on separate layers
- PNG Packs and PNG Image Packs — high-resolution transparent PNG files
- Some products include both PSD and PNG versions
Check the product page for the exact files included before buying.
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PNG packs and editable object packs include high-resolution transparent PNGs. Some mockup sets also include a PNG version alongside the PSD. Check the individual product page to confirm.
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Yes. PSD files are fully layered — objects, shadows, backgrounds, and design placeholders are all on separate layers so you can edit, toggle, rearrange, or remove any element. Layer organisation is a core feature of every product I build.
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Yes — all mockups and scene creators include smart object layers. Double-click the smart object, place your design, hit save, and your design appears in the scene with realistic perspective and lighting applied automatically.
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Yes. In most scene creators and many mockups, shadows are on their own dedicated layers so you can adjust opacity, move them independently, or remove them entirely if your scene doesn’t need them.
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Yes. Background layers are included in all PSD files and are fully editable — change the colour, replace with a texture, or delete them entirely for a transparent background export.
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Yes. Most products include colour control layers so you can change the colour of objects, backgrounds, and wax seals without destructive editing. The exact method varies by product — some use colour overlay layers, others use hue/saturation adjustments.
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Yes — especially in scene creators and editable object packs. Each object sits on its own layer (or group of layers) with its shadow, so you can move, resize, rotate, or remove it independently from everything else in the scene.
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Yes. Every PSD I build uses a folder structure so you can find objects, shadows, and backgrounds quickly. Well-organised layers are one of the things customers mention most in reviews — it saves time, especially when you’re building complex scenes.
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No — file types vary by product category. Scene creators and mockups come as PSD files. PNG packs come as transparent PNGs. Some products include both. Check each product’s description page to see exactly what formats are included before buying.
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Every product page lists the included file types in the product description. Look for the file type icons or the ‘What’s included’ section on the product page. If you’re unsure, you can contact support before purchasing.
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Yes. All products are high-resolution — suitable for print, large-format display, and high-quality digital presentation. Specific resolution details are listed on each product page.
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Some products include a brief instruction guide. All product types are also supported by tutorials on the blog at customscene.co/blog — including step-by-step Photoshop, Affinity, and Procreate walkthrough guides.
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No — fonts are not included. Any text elements visible in the preview images use fonts that are not bundled with the download. You’ll need to use your own fonts when customising text layers.
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PNG files always have transparent backgrounds. PSD files include an editable background layer that you can delete to get a transparent canvas for export. PNG objects in editable object packs are always transparent so you can place them on any background.
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Yes. In editable object packs and PNG packs, each object is photographed on a transparent background so it can be placed on any surface, combined with other objects, and layered freely in your design software.
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Everything’s built at 300 DPI from real studio photography, typically 6000 × 4000 px unless a listing says otherwise, so it holds up on screen and in print. If you’re making printable listings or planner previews, they’ll come out crisp.
License
17 questions
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Yes. A commercial license is included with every purchase — standard and Custom Scene+ alike. You can use the assets in client work, product listings, social media, presentations, and marketing materials.
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Yes. You can create images for clients using my assets and deliver those finished images as part of your work. You cannot share the original PSD or PNG files with clients — only the finished end product. Each license covers one user.
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Yes — as long as the original files aren’t redistributed. For example, you can sell a brand package where the mockup imagery is included, but the customer cannot extract and reuse the original PSD or PNG source files from your deliverable.
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Yes. Using mockup images in your Etsy shop listings is one of the most common and clearly permitted uses of my assets. The commercial license covers this.
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Yes. Using Custom Scene imagery on your website, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, or any other platform is covered by the standard license, as long as the original files are not being redistributed.
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Yes. Presenting brand work to clients using Custom Scene mockups — in PDF presentations, slide decks, or printed materials — is fully permitted under the standard license.
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Yes. A single purchase gives you the right to use the asset across multiple projects. There’s no per-use or per-project limit. The one restriction is that the files must stay with you — they can’t be shared or transferred to other users.
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Yes. Once you’ve purchased and downloaded a product, it’s yours to keep and use indefinitely. There’s no expiry on purchased assets or their commercial license.
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No. Attribution is not required. You’re free to use the assets in your work without crediting Custom Scene in the finished output.
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No. Reselling or redistributing the original files — whether as-is or with minor modifications — is not permitted under any license. This applies to selling them individually, bundling them into packs, or including them in templates where the source files are accessible to buyers.
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No. Each license covers one individual user. You can transfer a finished end product to a client, but the original PSD and PNG source files must stay with you. Sharing your account or files with colleagues or assistants is not permitted.
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No. Accounts are individual and cannot be shared. Each person who needs access to the files needs their own separate account and purchase. This applies within teams and agencies too.
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You can include rendered imagery in templates, but the underlying source files (PSD, PNG) cannot be extractable by the end buyer. If your template allows buyers to access or reuse the original files, that’s not permitted. If you’re unsure, contact support before publishing.
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No. PLR (Private Label Rights) and MRR (Master Resell Rights) products typically involve redistributing source files, which is not permitted under the Custom Scene license. Original files cannot be passed on to others as stock, templates, or source material.
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The main restrictions under the standard commercial license are:
- No redistribution of original files — paid or free
- No sharing accounts or source files with other users
- No using assets in on-demand customisation services (where the customer configures the output)
- No claiming ownership of the original photography or design files
- No reselling the original files individually or as part of a bundle
- No including extractable source files in templates you sell
Full license terms are at customscene.co/licenses.
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No. Assets purchased with credits carry the same commercial license as direct purchases. The terms are identical — commercial use is included, redistribution of original files is not permitted, and the license stays with you even after you cancel your subscription.
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Yes. Any asset you’ve downloaded through Custom Scene+ remains licensed to you permanently, even after you cancel. The commercial license doesn’t expire when your subscription ends.
Orders
20 questions
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Yes. Creating a free account is required to complete a purchase. It takes about a minute to set up, and it gives you permanent access to all your downloads from any device.
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Digital products are non-refundable once downloaded. Because files are delivered instantly and cannot be returned, refunds aren’t available after download. If you’ve purchased the wrong product or have a technical issue, contact support — I’ll do my best to help find a solution.
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Contact support as soon as possible. While digital products are non-refundable, I’m happy to look at the situation and find a way to help. Use the live chat (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm UK time) or send an email from customscene.co/support.
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Yes. Tutorials covering Photoshop, Affinity, and Procreate workflows are available on the blog at customscene.co/blog. If you’re stuck on something specific, you can also contact support directly — I’m happy to help.
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Some products include a brief guide. All product types are also covered by tutorials on the blog — including step-by-step Photoshop, Affinity Designer, and Procreate walkthroughs. Visit customscene.co/blog or search ‘how to’ on the site.
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On the blog at customscene.co/blog. There are dedicated how-to guides for Photoshop mockups, Affinity Designer, Procreate, and digital planner creation. New tutorials are added regularly.
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Via live chat (available Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm UK time) or by email — both options are on the support page at customscene.co/support. I also speak French and Spanish, so feel free to write in either language.
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Typically within one business day. Live chat is available Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm UK time for faster responses. Email replies may take a little longer, especially at busy periods.
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You can reach out via the support page to share a request. Custom requests aren’t guaranteed, but customer feedback genuinely influences what gets made next. I regularly create products inspired by suggestions from customers.
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Custom commissioned work isn’t available at the moment — the store sells ready-made products only. That said, you’re welcome to submit product requests through the support page. They help shape future releases.
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Regularly. I work in batches — shooting in bursts and building products in sets — so releases tend to come in groups rather than a steady daily drip. Subscribe to the newsletter to be notified when new packs drop.
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Subscribe to the newsletter (sign up at the bottom of the homepage) for new release announcements. You can also follow Custom Scene on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube — all @customscene — where new products are posted as they launch.
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Yes. There are 39+ free files available at customscene.co/free-files — including PNG images, scene creators, and stock photos. No payment required, though you’ll need a free account to download them. A good way to try before you buy.
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Yes — the Free Files section at customscene.co/free-files includes a range of free downloads, including PNG objects and a free scene creator mockup. These give you a genuine feel for the quality and workflow before you spend anything.
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You can pay by card or PayPal. Checkout is handled securely by Stripe and PayPal, so your card details never touch my hands, and everything’s processed the moment you order.
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If you’re somewhere tax applies, like the EU or UK, any VAT is worked out and shown at checkout before you pay, so there are no surprises after. Charges are processed in USD, and your order confirmation breaks down any tax that was added.
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Yes. Your order confirmation email doubles as a receipt, and your full history lives on your account orders page. Need a proper invoice with your business details on it? Just reply to your order email and I’ll send one over.
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Now and then, yes, usually around bigger moments like Black Friday plus the odd collection launch. The email list and my socials are the best places to catch them. And if you’re a Custom Scene+ member, you’re effectively getting the standing discount through your credits.
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Nine times out of ten it’s just the bank being cautious. A few things to try:
- Run it again and double-check the card number, expiry and billing details.
- Switch to PayPal or a different card.
- Still stuck? Send me a message with what you’re seeing and I’ll help you through.
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On the login page, hit Lost your password? and you’ll get a reset link by email. Use the same email you bought with, that’s the account your downloads live on. Still locked out? Message me and I’ll help.
Products
20 questions
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Custom Scene is a studio where I photograph real objects and break them down into fully editable design files. Every mockup, scene creator, and PNG pack is shot in my studio — not rendered, not AI-generated. You get studio-quality assets you can build into any scene, product image, or presentation inside Photoshop, Affinity, or Procreate.
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Custom Scene sells five main product types:
- Scene Creators — build-your-own scenes from layered photographed objects
- Mockup Sets — curated groups of matching mockups
- Mockups — individual ready-made scenes with smart object placeholders
- Editable Object Packs — individual photographed objects as layered PSD files
- PNG Image Packs — high-resolution transparent PNG cutouts
- Bundles and Collections — grouped products sold at a discount
Browse everything at customscene.co/shop.
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A mockup is a ready-made scene with a smart object placeholder — drop your design in and you’re done. A scene creator gives you a full set of individually photographed objects on separate layers so you can build, rearrange, and customise your own scene from scratch. Scene creators take more time but give you far more creative control.
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An editable object pack is a collection of individually photographed studio objects delivered as layered PSD files. Each object sits on its own layer with its shadow, so you can place it into any scene, resize it, rotate it, and combine it with objects from other packs. Think of them as the building blocks of a scene creator.
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PNG packs are high-resolution photographs of real studio objects with transparent backgrounds. No layers, no smart objects — just clean, realistic PNGs you can drag into any design app, including Canva, Procreate, or Photoshop. Great for quick compositions or for designers who prefer not to work with layered PSD files.
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Photographed — always. Every product in the store was shot in my own studio using real physical objects. Nothing is rendered in 3D software or generated by AI. That’s the whole point: real lighting, real texture, real depth.
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Three things: everything is real photography (not renders or AI), every file is well-organised and genuinely editable, and Custom Scene is a solo studio — so quality is consistent and personal. Customers consistently call out the realistic lighting, clean layer structure, and the fact that objects actually look like a real photo shoot.
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My products are built for graphic designers, Etsy sellers, wedding stationers, brand designers, digital planner creators, and authors or publishers who need realistic product imagery. If you sell or present paper-based, stationery, book, or digital products — you’re in the right place.
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Yes. A commercial license is included with every purchase, so you can use the assets in your Etsy product listing images. Many customers use these mockups specifically to make their digital downloads and printable products look realistic in their shop listings.
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Yes. The standard license allows you to use assets in client work and transfer the finished end product to your client. You cannot share the original files with clients — they need to remain in your possession — but the images you create with them are yours to deliver.
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Yes. Using the assets as part of mood boards, presentations, or concept visuals is covered by the standard license. The files just need to be incorporated into a larger piece of work — you can’t redistribute the originals on their own.
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Yes. Every item in the store is a real physical object photographed in my studio. You’re working with real lighting, real paper texture, real shadows — not simulations.
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The Calligraphy Collection, the Cards and Envelopes collection, and the Wax Seals Collection are the strongest choices for stationery designers. If you work with wedding stationery specifically, the Wedding collection is also worth browsing. All products within a collection are shot to match in lighting and tone.
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The Digital Planner Creator collection is purpose-built for this. It includes photographed desk setups broken into editable objects so you can place your planner designs into realistic lifestyle scenes. Browse it at customscene.co/collections/digital-planner-creator.
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The Book Collection. It covers paperback covers, open books, eBook readers, hardcovers, and lay-flat views — all photographed to give authors and publishers realistic product visuals. Browse it at customscene.co/collections/book.
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Yes. Products are grouped into named collections — Book, Calligraphy, Wax Seals, Digital Planner Creator, Wedding, Watercolor, Cards and Envelopes, Winter, and more. Within each collection, lighting and colour temperature are matched so products work together seamlessly.
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Yes. PNG packs require no special software — just drag and drop into any app. Free files are a good starting point too. For Photoshop beginners, the mockup smart object workflow is simple: double-click the layer, paste your design, save. Most products include a guide or tutorial link.
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A bundle groups a scene creator with related object packs or mockups from the same collection. Bundles are sold at a discount compared to buying each item separately. Browse available bundles at customscene.co/bundles-and-collections.
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A simple mockup has one or two fixed elements with a single smart object placeholder — quick to use, limited flexibility. A full scene creator gives you a full set of objects on individual layers that you can rearrange, add to, or remove entirely. More setup time, but far more output variety from a single product.
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Both. My mockups are full photographed scenes, object, surface and shadows, all on editable layers, so you can change the background or place the object onto your own. Scene creators give you the most room to move things around.
Subscription
28 questions
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Custom Scene+ is a membership that gives you a monthly credit allowance to spend on any product in the store — mockups, scene creators, object packs, PNG images — at a lower cost than buying individually. There are four tiers (Basic+, Mockup+, Creator+, and Pro+) available on monthly or annual billing. Annual billing unlocks the full perk set, including credit purchase discounts, the Status Programme loyalty discount, and Priority Support. Plans start from $9/month.
The core idea: the more you use Custom Scene, the more Custom Scene works for you.
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Choose a plan, subscribe, and credits are added to your wallet each month. Spend them on any product in the store. Credits roll over month to month as long as your subscription is active. Cancel any time — no commitment. Your downloaded assets are yours to keep regardless.
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Credits are the currency of Custom Scene+. 1 credit = $1 of store value. Spend them on any product — a 9-credit mockup costs 9 credits, a 29-credit scene creator costs 29 credits. You can also combine credits with a card payment if you don’t have quite enough for a purchase.
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1 credit = $1 of store value across all plans. What changes between plans is the cost per credit — higher-tier plans give you more credits per dollar spent, so each credit effectively costs less. Annual billing adds a further saving on top.
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Any product in the store — scene creators, mockups, editable object packs, PNG packs, PNG images, and bundles. Credits work storewide with no exceptions. Scene creators start from 29 credits, most mockups are 9 credits, and individual PNG images start from 1 credit.
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Yes. Credits can be used on any product — including discounted bundles and collections. There are no product exclusions. If it’s in the store, you can buy it with credits.
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Monthly, on your subscription renewal date. Credits are added to your wallet automatically — you don’t need to do anything. Annual subscribers receive their full year’s allocation at the start of their subscription.
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Yes — subscription credits roll over automatically as long as your subscription stays active. You don’t have to spend every credit before the month ends. If you cancel, unused subscription credits expire at the end of the billing period.
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There are three types of credits in Custom Scene+:
- Subscription Credits — included with your monthly plan; expire if you cancel
- Purchased Credits — bought separately; never expire, even without an active subscription
- Bonus Credits — earned through reviews, anniversaries, and events; expire at the end of each calendar month
You can hold all three types at once. See how they’re spent in the Which credits are used first? FAQ below.
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Credits are always spent in this order:
- Bonus Credits first — they expire monthly, so they’re used before everything else
- Subscription Credits next — replenished each month, expire on cancellation
- Purchased Credits last — never expire, so they’re kept in reserve
This order ensures your shortest-lived credits are always spent first.
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No. Purchased credits never expire. You can buy a credit pack and use it months or even years later — there’s no time limit.
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Yes. Bonus credits expire at the end of each calendar month. Their expiry date is always visible in your wallet so you know when to use them.
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Subscription credits expire at the end of your current billing period. Purchased credits are unaffected by cancellation and remain in your wallet indefinitely. Bonus credits follow their normal monthly expiry regardless of subscription status.
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Yes. You can purchase additional credit packs at any time from your account wallet — no subscription required. Purchased credits never expire, so you can stock up whenever it suits you.
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Yes. Credits work on all products in the store, including bundles and collections. There are no exclusions — if a product is listed in the store, you can buy it with credits.
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Yes — absolutely. Any product you’ve downloaded through Custom Scene+ is yours to keep forever, along with its commercial license. Cancelling your subscription doesn’t affect anything you’ve already downloaded.
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Pausing isn’t currently available. You can cancel at any time and reactivate later if you want to take a break. Your purchased credits and previously downloaded assets are unaffected while you’re away.
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Yes. There’s no long-term commitment — cancel whenever you like from your account settings. Your subscription stays active until the end of the current billing period, and your downloaded assets are yours to keep regardless.
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Yes. You can reactivate your Custom Scene+ plan at any time. If you reactivate before your current billing period ends, your subscription continues seamlessly. If you cancel and come back later, you simply start a new subscription from that point.
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No. Custom Scene+ subscriptions are for individual use only. Sharing your account or downloaded files with other people — including colleagues or business partners — is not permitted under the terms of service.
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All charges are processed in USD. Your bank or payment provider will handle currency conversion if you’re paying in a different currency, and may apply additional fees — check with your bank for details.
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Choose based on how many products you use each month:
- Basic+ — $9/month (or $7.42/month annual) — 14 credits/month. Best for light users and PNG-focused workflows.
- Mockup+ — $19/month (or $14.92/month annual) — 30 credits/month. Ideal for designers using mockups regularly.
- Creator+ — $29/month (or $23.25/month annual) — 50 credits/month. Best for scene creators and object packs.
- Pro+ — $49/month (or $39.08/month annual) — 90 credits/month. For high-volume users who work with assets daily.
Annual plans save up to 21% and unlock the full Status Programme discount and Priority Support. See all plans at customscene.co/plus.
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If you use two or more products per month, yes. Subscription credits cost less per credit than buying at full price, so the more you use, the more you save. If you only buy one product every few months, individual purchases may suit you better. The Free Files section is a good way to test the workflow before committing to a plan.
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Bonus credits are earned through engagement: leaving a product review earns 10 credits, account anniversaries earn 5 credits, and there are occasional special events and spending milestones that reward credits too. Check your wallet for current earning opportunities at customscene.co/my-account/earn-credits.
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No free trial at the moment. But Basic+ is just $9 a month and you can cancel any time, so there’s no real commitment to try it, and there are always free files to play with first.
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There’s no one-click upgrade right now. To change plan, cancel your current subscription and subscribe again to the one you want. Your subscription credits stay available until the end of your billing period, so you won’t lose what you’ve already got. See all the plans to pick the right one.
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Annual members do, a direct line to me with same-day replies during my support hours. No tickets, no team, just me. Monthly members and everyone else still get a personal reply, just not quite as fast. More on the plans over on Custom Scene+.
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If you run out before your next renewal, you can buy extra credits any time, or just buy the product you need outright. Your subscription credits top up again on your renewal date, and any unused ones roll over while your subscription stays active. Full detail lives on the Custom Scene+ page.
Usage
23 questions
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Open the PSD file in Photoshop or Affinity. Find the smart object layer (usually labelled ‘Your Design Here’ or similar). Double-click it — a new document opens. Paste or place your design into that document, then save and close it. Your design will appear in the mockup scene automatically, with realistic perspective and lighting applied.
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Open the PSD in Photoshop or Affinity. Each object is on its own layer or layer group. Toggle layers on and off to show or hide objects, move them freely around the canvas, and use the smart object layer to drop in your design. You can create multiple versions from a single file by rearranging elements and saving as different exports. There’s a full tutorial at customscene.co/how-to/photoshop-mockup-tutorial.
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Find the background layer (usually at the bottom of the layer stack) and edit it like any Photoshop or Affinity layer — change the fill colour, add a texture, replace it with a photo, or delete it entirely for a transparent background. Background colour controls are often included as a dedicated colour layer.
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Yes. Each object or group of objects is on its own layer. Click the eye icon next to a layer in Photoshop or Affinity to hide or show it. This makes it easy to create multiple scene variations from a single file without duplicating anything.
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Yes. Shadows are included on separate layers in most products. Reduce the layer opacity to soften the shadow, or delete the shadow layer entirely if your scene doesn’t need it. Some products also include shadow intensity controls as smart objects.
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Yes — that’s one of the core advantages of scene creators. Rearrange objects, toggle layers, change backgrounds, and export different versions. Many customers generate an entire set of product images from a single scene creator file.
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Yes. PNG objects can be placed into any scene alongside objects from other packs. PSD objects can also be combined — copy layers from one file into another. Mixing assets from multiple packs is a common workflow and there are no restrictions on doing so for your own use.
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Yes. All objects and layers can be scaled up or down freely. For best quality, work at the original high resolution and scale down rather than up. Smart objects in Photoshop support non-destructive scaling, so you can resize without quality loss.
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Yes. Each object layer can be rotated freely in Photoshop or Affinity using the transform tool. Rotate to any angle — shadows can be adjusted separately to match.
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Yes. Many customers use Custom Scene object packs to build flat lay compositions — arrange objects on a background, add your product design, and export. The scene creators are particularly well suited to flat lay styling.
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Yes. Export your finished scene as a JPG or PNG and use it on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, or anywhere else. Many customers use Custom Scene specifically for creating social media content for their brand or client work.
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Yes. Using mockups in your shop listing images — on Etsy, Shopify, your own website, or any other platform — is covered by the standard commercial license.
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Yes. Once you’ve placed your design, export the file from Photoshop or Affinity as JPG or PNG at whatever resolution you need. Most products are high enough resolution for both print and digital use.
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Yes. Stationery mockups, notebook mockups, and card scenes are ideal for showcasing printable products. Place your printable design artwork into the smart object, export, and use the result as your listing or promotional image.
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Yes — those are the core use cases. The Book Collection covers book covers and spines. The Digital Planner Creator is purpose-built for planner product imagery. The Calligraphy and Cards and Envelopes collections cover stationery. Browse by collection to find what fits your product.
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Yes. This is one of the most common reasons people shop at Custom Scene. Realistic studio photography makes your digital products, printables, and stationery look like a real product shoot — which significantly improves how listings perform.
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Yes — that’s exactly what scene creators and editable object packs are designed for. Start with a blank background, bring in objects from your packs, arrange them exactly how you want, add your design via smart object, and export. No fixed templates to work around.
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Yes. That’s one of the most efficient workflows — keep the scene, swap the smart object with a different design, export a new version. Many customers create entire product catalogues from a single scene by changing only the design layer.
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No. The smart object workflow requires only basic Photoshop or Affinity knowledge: open the file, double-click the placeholder layer, paste your design, save. PNG packs need no editing skills at all — just drag and drop. Tutorials for each app type are on the blog.
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It depends on the platform. Etsy listing images work best at 2000 x 2000px (1:1 square). Check your target marketplace’s current image guidelines for the most accurate specs. All products are high enough resolution to export at any standard marketplace format.
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For most selling contexts, yes. A mockup places your design in a real-world setting — on a desk, in a person’s hands, in a styled flat lay — which helps buyers picture owning the product. Plain screenshots show what the file looks like; mockups show what it feels like.
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Use the Digital Planner Creator collection — it includes photographed desk and tablet setups with smart object placeholders. Place your planner or printable artwork into the smart object, and your design appears inside a realistic lifestyle scene. Tutorial at customscene.co/how-to/create-digital-planners.
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Yes, that’s the whole point of a scene creator. Objects, shadows and backgrounds sit on their own layers, so you can drop in your own surface or photo, or mix in pieces from other packs. You can even try it in the online editor before you buy.
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