Context Slice Product Mockup Style Guide
What is a Product Mockup?
A product mockup places a logo, design, or branding onto a realistic product surface—shirts, mugs, packaging, screens, billboards. The goal is photorealistic integration where the design appears naturally printed, displayed, or applied to the surface.
The Aesthetic
Core Principles:
- Design conforms to product surface (curves, folds, texture)
- Realistic material interaction (fabric absorbs ink differently than glossy ceramic)
- Proper perspective and scale relative to the product
- Natural lighting with appropriate shadows and highlights
- Professional product photography quality
Visual Elements:
- Surface texture showing through the design appropriately
- Fabric folds/creases affecting the print naturally
- Specular highlights on glossy surfaces
- Soft shadows grounding the product
- Context-appropriate backgrounds (studio, lifestyle, or environmental)
Product Categories
| Product Type | Surface Behavior | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts/Apparel | Fabric folds, texture absorption | Wrinkles affect print, heather vs solid fabric |
| Mugs/Cups | Curved glossy ceramic | Wrap distortion, handle placement, reflection |
| Phone Cases | Smooth plastic/silicone | Edge bleed, camera cutout positioning |
| Tote Bags | Canvas texture, soft folds | Natural drape, strap placement |
| Billboards | Flat large scale | Environmental context, viewing distance |
| Business Cards | Matte/glossy paper | Corner radius, thickness shadow |
| Packaging/Boxes | Cardboard/kraft texture | Die-cut edges, fold lines, 3D form |
| Screens/Monitors | Glossy reflective glass | Screen glare, bezel framing, display angle |
| Posters/Signs | Paper/vinyl on surface | Wall texture, mounting style, lighting |
| Bottles/Containers | Curved glass/plastic | Label wrap, transparency, liquid color |
Background Options
| Setting | Best For | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| White Studio | Clean product shots, e-commerce | Professional, neutral |
| Lifestyle | Context showing product in use | Relatable, aspirational |
| Flat Lay | Surrounded by related items | Curated, instagram-style |
| Environmental | In natural setting (desk, shelf) | Authentic, contextual |
| Minimal Gradient | Subtle depth, modern feel | Sleek, contemporary |
Prompt Structure
Base product: "Realistic product mockup of [design] on [product type]"
Surface interaction: "[design] printed/displayed/applied to [material], following natural [curves/folds/texture]"
Lighting: "[lighting type] lighting, [shadow style] shadows"
Quality: "professional product photography, high detail, photorealistic"
Example Prompts
T-shirt mockup:
"Realistic t-shirt mockup with vintage sun logo printed on heather gray cotton tee, design follows natural fabric folds and chest curvature, soft studio lighting with gentle shadows, model wearing shirt casually, professional apparel photography"
Mug mockup:
"White ceramic coffee mug mockup with mountain landscape illustration wrapped around surface, design follows cylindrical curve realistically, glossy ceramic reflection, steam rising from top, warm kitchen background, product photography lighting"
Billboard mockup:
"Urban billboard mockup displaying minimalist typography poster, large format advertisement on city building, realistic scale and perspective, evening lighting, environmental context with street scene below, architectural photography style"
Phone case mockup:
"iPhone case mockup featuring abstract geometric pattern, slim profile case with design covering back panel, camera cutout positioned correctly, held in hand at natural angle, soft depth of field background"
Packaging mockup:
"Kraft paper box packaging mockup with clean brand logo, minimalist label design on cardboard texture, product box with lid slightly open, soft natural lighting, styled on marble surface with props, professional product photography"
Design Placement Tips
For wrapped surfaces (mugs, bottles):
- Describe how the design wraps around the curve
- Mention visible portion vs. hidden continuation
- Consider handle/spout placement relative to design
For fabric (shirts, bags, pillows):
- Describe print technique (screen print, embroidered, DTG)
- Mention how folds and creases affect the design
- Consider fabric color showing through lighter design areas
For screens (phones, monitors, tablets):
- Describe the UI/content displayed, not just "a design"
- Mention screen brightness and ambient reflection
- Consider bezel and frame context
Customization Options
Ask users about:
- Product color: White, black, natural, or custom product color
- Print style: Centered, all-over, pocket placement, edge-to-edge
- View angle: Front, 3/4 view, flat lay, lifestyle action
- Background: Studio, lifestyle context, or transparent
- Multiple products: Create lineup of same design on different products
What Makes Great Mockups
- Surface realism - Design looks printed/applied, not floating
- Perspective accuracy - Design matches product's 3D form
- Material interaction - Texture and surface affect the design appropriately
- Lighting consistency - Design lit same as product surface
- Context fit - Background and styling match product category