Appearance
Swatch (Multi)
Allow customers to select multiple visual choices using color or image swatches.
Overview
Swatch (Multi) is a selection option type that displays choices as visual swatches - either colors or images. Customers can click multiple swatches to select several options simultaneously. It's ideal for visual decisions where customers should choose more than one color, pattern, or material.
Use Swatch (Multi) for:
- Multiple color selections
- Combination patterns or materials
- Accessory color bundles
- Multi-color customizations
- Style combination options
Key characteristics:
- Multiple selections allowed
- Visual representation (color or image)
- Color swatches support multi-tone (up to 4 colors)
- Image swatches show uploaded images
- Can be marked as required (at least one must be selected)
- Values can have price add-ons
- Values can be reordered by dragging
- Supports pre-selection of multiple swatches
Configuration
Basic Settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Label | Option name displayed to customers (e.g., "Select Colors") |
| Option is required for this option set | If enabled, customers must select at least one swatch before adding to cart |
| Hide Label from storefront | If enabled, only the swatches are shown (label is hidden) |
Advanced Settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Internal Label | Admin-only identifier (replaces label in options list) |
| Help Text | Additional guidance shown to customers (based on display mode) |
Swatch Options (Values)
Each swatch can be configured with:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Value Name | Option name (max 255 characters) - shown as tooltip/label |
| Pre-selected by default | If enabled, this swatch is checked when page loads |
| Swatch Type | Color or Image |
| Pricing | Three options: Free (default), Add fee, Link variant |
Swatch Type: Color
- Single color: Add one color with hex code
- Multi-tone: Add up to 4 colors for split effect
- Click Add Color to add additional colors (max 4)
Swatch Type: Image
- Upload one image per swatch
- Recommended size controlled in customization settings
- Common formats: JPG, PNG
Managing swatches:
- Add Value button creates new swatches
- Drag handle (⋮⋮) to reorder swatches
- Chevron (⌄) to expand swatch settings
- Toggle between Color/Image for each swatch
Pricing Options
Free (Default)
No additional cost for this selection.
When to use: Standard color/style options included in base price
Add Fee
Manually set a specific price for each selected swatch.
Example: Each Color (+$5.00)
How it works:
- You enter the price amount
- App creates a hidden Shopify product automatically
- Price is added to cart for each selected swatch
Hidden Products
The app creates hidden products for Add Fee pricing. Do not edit or delete these products in Shopify.
Link Variant
Connect the swatch to an existing Shopify product for automatic price syncing.
Example: Link each color to corresponding product
How it works:
- You select an existing product
- Price automatically syncs with that product
- Updates when you change the linked product price
How to Add Swatch (Multi)
- Navigate to Option Sets and open your option set
- Click Add Option
- Select Swatch (Multi) from the Option Type modal
- Enter a Label (e.g., "Select Colors")
- Check Option is required if at least one selection is mandatory
- (Optional) Click Advanced Settings to add Help Text
- In Swatch Options, add your swatches:
- Enter Value Name for each swatch
- Choose Color or Image tab
- For Color: Enter hex code(s), click Add Color for multi-tone (up to 4)
- For Image: Upload image file
- Click Add Value for more swatches
- Drag to reorder swatches
- Expand (⌄) to set pricing or pre-selection
- Click Save in the contextual save bar
Use Cases
Thread Color Selection
Label: Choose Thread Colors Required: Yes (at least one) Swatches:
- Red [Color: #FF0000] (+$2.00)
- Blue [Color: #0000FF] (+$2.00)
- Green [Color: #00FF00] (+$2.00)
- Yellow [Color: #FFFF00] (+$2.00)
- Black [Color: #000000] (+$2.00)
Result: Multiple color selection with per-color pricing
Accent Color Combination
Label: Select Accent Colors (Choose up to 3) Required: No Swatches:
- Gold [Image: gold.jpg] [Free]
- Silver [Image: silver.jpg] [Free]
- Rose Gold [Image: rose-gold.jpg] (+$5.00)
- Bronze [Image: bronze.jpg] (+$5.00)
Result: Multiple metallic accent selections
Fabric Bundle
Label: Select Fabric Swatches Required: Yes (at least one) Pre-selected: Cotton, Linen Swatches:
- Cotton [Image: cotton.jpg] [Free] (default)
- Linen [Image: linen.jpg] [Free] (default)
- Silk [Image: silk.jpg] (+$10.00)
- Velvet [Image: velvet.jpg] (+$15.00)
Result: Multiple fabric selections with common ones pre-selected
Piping Color Options
Label: Add Piping Colors Required: No Swatches:
- Navy [Color: #000080]
- White [Color: #FFFFFF]
- Red [Color: #FF0000]
- Gold [Color: #FFD700] (+$3.00)
Result: Optional multiple piping color selections
Multi-Tone Combinations
Label: Select Color Schemes Required: Yes Swatches:
- Sunset Blend [Colors: #FF6B6B, #FFA500, #FFD700] (3-tone)
- Ocean Mix [Colors: #0077BE, #00C9FF] (2-tone)
- Forest Combo [Colors: #228B22, #90EE90, #006400] (3-tone)
- Monochrome [Color: #000000]
Result: Multiple solid color selections
Customer Experience
Swatch interaction:
- Customer sees label and visual swatches
- All swatches displayed as squares/circles
- Clicks swatches to select (multiple allowed)
- Selected swatches highlighted with border/checkmark
- Can select/deselect any combination
- Hover shows value name as tooltip
- If priced, sees price below or near each swatch
Visual feedback:
- Selected swatches have checkmarks (✓)
- Selected swatches highlighted/bordered
- Multiple selections clearly indicated
- Easy to add/remove selections
Price display:
- Prices shown near swatches
- Multiple prices add up in cart
- Each selected swatch listed at checkout
Styling
Swatches inherit size and styling from customization settings:
- Swatch Size: Controlled in Borders & Shapes (default 40px)
- Colors: Border and selection colors from Colors
- Border: Swatch border thickness from Borders & Shapes
- Radius: Swatch corner radius from Borders & Shapes
- Spacing: Spacing between swatches from Borders & Shapes
Best Practices
Swatch organization:
- Order by popularity or color spectrum
- Use drag handles to reorder easily
- Group similar colors/styles together
- Consider limiting selection quantity in Help Text
Use clear value names:
- Descriptive: "Navy Blue" vs "Blue"
- Names appear on hover/tooltip
- Important for accessibility
- Used in cart/checkout
Color swatch tips:
- Use accurate hex codes
- Multi-tone for split colors
- Test colors on different screens
- Consider color blindness accessibility
Image swatch tips:
- Use high-quality images
- Keep consistent image dimensions
- Show pattern/texture clearly
- Optimize file sizes for loading speed
Pre-selection strategy:
- Pre-select popular combinations
- Can pre-select multiple swatches
- Test impact on conversions
- Consider upsell opportunities
Pricing best practices:
- Per-swatch pricing adds up transparently
- Show prices clearly near each swatch
- Use Add Fee for fixed costs per selection
- Use Link Variant for variant products
Consider swatch (multi) vs other types:
- Use Swatch (Multi) for: Multiple visual selections, color combinations
- Use Swatch (Single) for: One visual choice only
- Use Checkbox (Multi) for: Text-based multiple selections
- Multi swatches best for visual combination choices
Mobile optimization:
- Swatches work well on mobile
- Ensure adequate tap target size
- Test swatch size on small screens
- Verify images load quickly
Communicate selection limits:
- Use Help Text for quantity guidance ("Choose up to 3")
- "Required" means at least one must be selected
- Test selection experience
- Provide clear feedback
Accessibility:
- Always include value names
- Test with screen readers
- Provide text alternatives
- Consider color contrast
Related
- Swatch (Single) - Single swatch selection
- Checkbox (Multi) - Text-based multiple selection
- Color - Color picker input
- Price Add-Ons - Detailed pricing documentation
- Borders & Shapes - Swatch size settings
- Internal Label - Admin-only identification
- Help Text - Additional context display
- Required Fields - Making options required