Product Section (Showcase)

For Plain Jane, and Plain Jane Interactive

What You'll Learn

  • How to set up and customize the "Showcase" product layout, the traditional side-by-side layout

  • Configuration options for image galleries, positioning, and responsive behavior

  • When to use this layout vs. the modern Thumbnail layout

Product Section (Showcase) - Traditional Layout

🎯 What is the Showcase Layout?

Product Section (Showcase) offers a traditional side-by-side product layout with thumbnail galleries and classic product information display. This layout is ideal for stores that prefer a more conventional e-commerce experience with familiar navigation patterns.

Key Features:

  • Traditional thumbnail gallery system

  • Side-by-side image and product info layout

  • Configurable image positioning (left/right)

  • Customizable gallery columns and spacing

  • Mobile-responsive design with stacked layout

  • Classic product information hierarchy

Available in:

  • ✅ Plain Jane v3.1+

  • ✅ Plain Jane Interactive v2+


🔧 How to Enable Product Section (Showcase)

  1. Go to Online Store > Themes > Customize

  2. Navigate to Products > Default product

  3. If another product section is currently active:

    • Click on the existing product section

    • Select Remove section

  4. Click Add section

  5. Select Product Section (Showcase)

  6. Configure the layout and blocks as needed


📐 Layout Configuration

Image & Product Info Positioning

Switch Product Info & Image

  • Toggle to move product information to the left side

  • Default: Images on left, product info on right

  • Reversed: Product info on left, images on right

Image Gallery Setup

  • Reverse Additional Photos: Control whether thumbnails appear above or below main image

  • Gallery Column Amount: Set number of thumbnail columns (1-6)

  • Gallery Margins: Adjust spacing around image gallery

Responsive Behavior

Desktop Layout

  • Side-by-side layout with configurable proportions

  • Image gallery takes approximately 60% width

  • Product information in remaining 40% space

Mobile Layout

  • Automatically stacks to single column

  • Featured image displays first

  • Thumbnail gallery below main image

  • Product information follows images


Column Amount

  • Set 1-6 columns for thumbnail display

  • Can be overridden per-product using metafields

  • Mobile automatically adjusts for optimal viewing

Image Sizing

  • Desktop Image Size: Control maximum image dimensions

  • Mobile Image Size: Optimize for smaller screens

  • Gallery Margins: Fine-tune spacing between elements

Gallery Positioning

  • Place Additional Photos Under Main: Move thumbnails below featured image

  • Reverse Additional Photos: Change thumbnail order

  • Grid Gap: Adjust spacing between thumbnail images

Image Display

Featured Image

  • Large main product image with zoom functionality

  • Click to open full-screen view

  • Smooth transitions between images

  • Support for multiple media types (images, videos)

Thumbnail Navigation

  • Click thumbnails to change main image

  • Hover effects for better user feedback

  • Consistent aspect ratios recommended

  • Lazy loading for performance


📱 Mobile Optimization

Responsive Design

Mobile Layout Behavior

  • Automatic column stacking for mobile devices

  • Optimized thumbnail sizes for touch interaction

  • Simplified navigation for smaller screens

  • Improved loading performance

Touch Interactions

  • Swipe gesture support for image navigation

  • Touch-friendly thumbnail sizing

  • Optimized button placement for mobile

  • Improved accessibility for touch devices


⚙️ Customization Options

Animation Settings

  • Fade Duration: Control transition timing between images

  • Page Transition: Set overall page load animation

  • Hover Effects: Configure thumbnail hover behavior

Layout Fine-Tuning

  • Margin Controls: Adjust spacing around all elements

  • Alignment Options: Control text and element positioning

  • Color Customization: Match your brand colors

  • Typography Settings: Control font sizes and styling


🛍️ Product Information Display

Product Section (Showcase) maintains the traditional hierarchy of product information:

Information Order

  1. Product Title: Prominent heading

  2. Price Display: Clear pricing with sale indicators

  3. Product Description: Rich text content

  4. Variant Selection: Size, color, and other options

  5. Quantity Selector: Add to cart controls

  6. Action Buttons: Add to cart and buy now buttons

Additional Features

  • Sale Badges: Highlight discounts and promotions

  • Stock Indicators: Show availability status

  • Product Reviews: Integration with review apps

  • Social Sharing: Share buttons for social media


🎨 Best Practices

Image Guidelines

  • Use consistent aspect ratios across all product images

  • Minimum 1000px width for sharp display

  • Include multiple angles and detail shots

  • Optimize file sizes for fast loading

Layout Considerations

  • Test on various screen sizes and devices

  • Ensure information hierarchy is clear

  • Keep essential details above the fold

  • Use white space effectively for clean appearance

User Experience

  • Make thumbnail navigation intuitive

  • Ensure fast image loading times

  • Test touch interactions on mobile devices

  • Provide clear calls-to-action


🔄 When to Use Product Section (Showcase)

Best For:

  • Traditional retail brands

  • Stores with conventional customer expectations

  • Products that benefit from detailed thumbnail galleries

  • Brands wanting familiar e-commerce patterns

Consider Product Section (Thumbnail) Instead If:

  • You want the most modern mobile experience

  • Your customers prefer app-like interactions

  • You need advanced features like bottom modals

  • Mobile optimization is your top priority


🚀 Performance Considerations

  • Image Optimization: Use WebP format when possible

  • Lazy Loading: Built-in for improved page speed

  • Responsive Images: Automatic size optimization

  • Mobile Performance: Optimized for slower connections


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