AI tools
Background removal, upscaling, the image editor and vectorizing — what each one does, how credits work, and how to control access and spending.
AI tools fix the artwork problem every personalization store has: customers upload photos that are not print-ready. Find them under Settings → AI Tools.
The tools
| Tool | What it does | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Background removal | One-click background removal with print-ready edge cleanup and automatic trimming of transparent borders. | Uses credits |
| Upscale | AI upscaling for low-resolution artwork. Transparent images keep their transparency. | Uses credits |
| Image Editor | Advanced editor with free background removal by color, region selection and recoloring. Saves are rendered in print quality. | Free |
| Vectorize | Converts flat graphics to vector shapes for perfectly sharp printing at any size. Offered only for suitable images. | Uses credits |
Background removal edge style
Two profiles, chosen in settings:
- Smooth — keeps soft anti-aliased edges. Best for photographic prints and most DTG work.
- Print-hard — crisp edges for DTF and underbase printing, where soft semi-transparent pixels cause halos.
Pick print-hard for DTF
Soft edges look better on screen but print as a fringe on transfer film. If your main process is DTF, choose print-hard and compare one real transfer before deciding.
Turning tools on and off
- AI tools is the master switch for your store’s designer. When off, no AI buttons appear anywhere.
- Each tool can be switched on or off individually.
- Tools disabled platform-wide cannot be enabled by you; they show as Disabled by platform. Your settings are kept and apply again when the service returns.
- If your plan does not include AI tools, the section tells you so — upgrade to enable background removal and upscaling.
Buyer access
Buyer access lets storefront customers use AI tools while designing. It is off by default because buyer operations spend your store’s credits.
Turning it on is usually worth it: customers who can remove a background themselves place orders that you do not have to fix later. Pair it with usage limits so a single visitor cannot burn through your balance.
Usage limits
Optional caps on top of the platform limits. You can only lower the platform values — leave a field empty to use the platform default, shown as the placeholder.
| Limit | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Per user per day | Stops one visitor from consuming your balance. |
| Store per day (credits) | A daily ceiling for the whole store. |
| Store per month (credits) | A monthly ceiling. |
Clear a field and save to remove your override.
Credits
The credits section shows:
- Remaining credits, split into plan-included and purchased top-ups.
- This month — operations run and credits used.
- What credits buy — the cost per operation for background removal, upscale and vectorize, and an estimate of how many operations your remaining balance covers.
Plan-included credits reset each month. Purchased credits never expire and are used only after the monthly included credits run out.
Buying top-ups
Top up with one-time credit packs. The charge is added to your Shopify subscription bill as an app usage charge, and credits are available immediately. A purchase history lists everything you bought.
Purchases can be unavailable when:
| Message | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Your subscription is not active | Reactivate your plan first. |
| Your current subscription does not support add-on charges | Change your plan or contact support. |
| Purchase would exceed your usage spending cap | Raise the cap in Shopify, then retry. |
| Plan re-approval needed | Your subscription was approved before credit packs existed on your plan. Re-approve from the app pricing page — your price does not change. |
Keeping spend predictable
- Start with buyer access off and use the tools yourself on problem orders.
- Watch the monthly usage figure for a few weeks.
- Turn buyer access on with a conservative per user per day limit.
- Raise the limits only if you hit them and the orders justify it.
Remember the Image Editor is free: background removal by color, region selection and recoloring cost no credits and cover a surprising share of real cases.