Add clear options, illustrations and helpful guidance

Find it: Print product setup → Print options.

Use one option for each decision the customer needs to make. For example: Card size, Card stock, Printed sides and Lamination. Keep production-only terminology in internal processes unless customers need it to choose correctly.

Add and present an option

1. Add a print option and give it a clear label.
2. Choose the control: dropdown, radio, illustrated cards, colour swatch, number, date or short text.
3. Add the customer choices and their labels. Required choice options need a valid available choice before ordering.
4. Choose a sensible default or leave the choice unselected if the customer must make a deliberate decision.
5. Add field-wide help where the whole decision needs explanation.
6. Put it in a Storefront group or use Automatic grouping.

The groups are Size & format, Material & colour, Printing & finishing, Other details and Quantity & date. A configured production-calendar option stays with Quantity & date. Empty or irrelevant groups are hidden. Section headings summarise the current selection; an attention badge appears for missing or invalid information.

Illustrations and descriptions

Choose a built-in illustration or select your own image through the WordPress Media Library. Attribute pictures are separate from the WooCommerce featured product image. Use a simple image that explains the difference between choices rather than repeating the product photograph everywhere.

Each choice can have a short description and badge. For example, “A smooth coated stock” explains a material; “Popular choice” is a claim you deliberately provide, not an automatically measured bestseller. Keep badges scarce so they retain meaning.

Cards and swatches show choice guidance directly. Dropdowns show guidance for the selected choice. Some bundled illustrations have fallback descriptions; saving an empty description can suppress one. Check the actual storefront after editing.

Price the option deliberately

Set an extra only when the base price does not already include that cost. Select Per complete job, Per copy or Per square metre as appropriate. A zero extra can mean “included”; it does not require another surcharge elsewhere.

For different base stock prices, use specific price rows or option-combination price groups. For availability, use compatibility rules. Avoid hiding an awkward combination solely by removing its price if the real reason is that you cannot produce it.

Test like a customer

Change the default, use a phone and navigate with the keyboard. Confirm descriptions, selected checkmarks and section summaries remain readable. Test required fields and a disabled choice. Then check at least one valid complete job with each important material or finish.