Most of the time you want to be able to add a large number of product images to your store all in one bulk upload. This can be easily done through the use of the bulk image upload and the import products csv file.
Step 1 : Upload your images to the bulk image uploader.
👍Important: You only need the main image. The thumbnail image will be created from the main image automatically.
Default product images act as the primary visual representation for products, ensuring that placeholders or empty visuals are avoided on product pages.
Step 2 : Download and open the product import file.
👍Important: If you already imported your products, use the product Export instead.
Step 3 : Add the image names
👍Important: Leave the Image Path and the Thumbnail path blank. The paths will be automatically updated by the system.
Step 4 : Import your product file that includes the new image names.
If you are Hosting the images from an outside CDN add the image path ending with the last / of the image URL into the Image Path field. Do the same for the Thumbnail Path. If a Thumbnail is not provided you may use the Image Path as the Thumbnail Path as well. Then add the Image Name and Thumbnail Name to the appropriate fields and Import your file back in.
👍Important: If you are making updates you are only required to import the file with the products rows you are making changes to. You do not need to import the full file.
Adding Addition Images to Your Products
The Bulk Image Uploader (Step 1 above) is used for both main images and additional/gallery images. Additional images require a separate import file.
How to Import Additional / Gallery Images
Upload your additional images using the Bulk Image Uploader.
Go to Products > Imports > Import Product Additional Images.
Download the dedicated CSV template.
Fill in the required columns:
SKU (required)
Supplier ID (required)
Image Name (required – filename you uploaded)
Image Path (optional – leave blank for Evolution CDN)
Thumbnail Name (optional – strongly recommended to use the same filename as Image Name to avoid broken thumbnails in sliders and lightboxes)
Delete Record = Y if you want to remove a specific additional image.
Save and import the CSV.
👍 Key Tips:
You can use the same image for both the Image Name and Thumbnail Name. This is the recommended approach if you don’t have a dedicated thumbnail version.
Add one row per additional image. Use multiple rows with the same SKU for products that need several gallery images.
Additional images appear in the product image gallery/slider.
Images are cached (changes may take up to 24 hours to appear).
For full details and import rules, see the Import Rules tab on the import screen or Imports 101.
FAQ:
After using the bulk image upload, where do the images go?
The images are uploaded to a hidden folder inside the system. This is to protect them from getting accidentally deleted. You can simply upload the images again with the same name and the images will be updated. Remember, that all images are cached and won't show changes for 24 hours.
Example paths for your images uploaded via the bulk uploader
👍Important: There is no direct access or FTP access for these image directories.
Why do you cache images?
This practice reduces bandwidth usage and server load, as the same images don’t need to be repeatedly downloaded from the server. Additionally, it improves user experience by enabling faster page load times, since images can be retrieved quickly from the local cache rather than over the internet
🎉 That's it, well done, now go and check everything is looking good on the storefront.