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Publisher Shopify Theme: Best Suited for Art & Publishing field

October 12, 2023
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

This article will provide an in-depth exploration of the Publisher Shopify Theme’s features and customization options. Plus, it will evaluate both the pros and cons of using this theme to upgrade your online store within the art and publishing niche.  

Key Takeaways

  • The Publisher Shopify theme excels and outplays its rivals in showcasing artwork through dark product imagery with user-friendly navigation and flexible customization settings.
  • It suits businesses of various sizes, from small to high-volume businesses, aiming to create attractive and user-friendly online stores.
  • This theme is especially perfect for artists, jewelry & accessory crafters, fashion designers, and freelance writers desiring to gain more popularity in their niche.
  • Store owners can try the Publisher theme to its full features at no cost, which offers a free-but-worth-it solution for online stores looking to enhance their visual appeal and functionality.

Shopify Publisher Theme Overview

Shopify Publisher Theme Overview

Publisher Shopify Theme, an avant-garde theme inspired by independent studios and publishers, offers a bold and neomodern aesthetic to emphasize moody and progressive design with dark product imagery for artists and publishers. 

Besides its mysterious attractiveness, the theme supports a lightning-fast setup thanks to a pre-built preset, making launching and configuring your stores easier. Moreover, the Publisher’s minimalist navigation offers contextual links to products and categories throughout the page.  

Let’s scroll down to explore to which extent Handmade can contribute to your turnovers.

Publisher Shopify Theme: Pros & Cons 

Undoubtedly, the Handmade Shopify Theme comes with both strong points and weaknesses. However, it’s evident that its pros have outweighed its cons.

Pros

  • Gallery-focused Design: The Publisher Theme perfectly captures the essence of the art and publishing industry, especially for its tailored design.
  • Advanced Customization Options: Flexible design and customization settings help store owners achieve their desired vision without modifying code.
  • Eye-catching Image Galleries: Visuals are vital in handicraft marketing. The Publisher theme’s HD product showcase boosts their appeal, drawing in potential customers.
  • Diverse Features: This theme boasts comprehensive features, enriching your store’s performance in every aspect, from driving conversions to enhancing product navigation.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Effortless navigation, streamlined search functionality, and a thoughtful layout ensure customer satisfaction, engagement, and a lasting positive impact.
  • Mobile-Friendly Design: This theme assures a seamless shopping experience for users across all types of devices.
  • Blogging Capability: Beyond product sales, this theme empowers store owners to foster a community. Through its blogging feature, owners can share diverse content, from recipes to personal anecdotes, nurturing brand loyalty.
  • Minimalist Navigation: By presenting only essential information and options, the Publisher Shopify Theme can showcase images to support visual brand storytelling.
  • Flexibility and Creativity: Stores can unleash their creative spirit and distinguish themselves with a unique brand message, thanks to its remarkable flexibility.
  • Seamless Integration with Shopify Extensions: The future of e-commerce relies on integrations. This theme seamlessly syncs with Shopify Extensions, easily incorporating new features as your business expands.

Cons

  • Niche Specialization: While tailored for apparel and publishing stores, the specialized design may restrict future product diversification.
  • Potential Overemphasis on Visuals: High-resolution images, if not optimized, can slow down loading times, potentially frustrating customers.
  • Learning Curve: The theme’s specialized features may seem overwhelming to newcomers, with a steeper learning curve than more generic themes.
  • Compatibility Concerns: Many themes often face compatibility issues with specific Shopify extensions or during platform updates.
  • Frequent Updates: The Publisher now has up to 11 versions. This means its features have several bugs and glitches that must be fixed on a monthly basis.

Publisher Shopify Theme: Key Features & Benefits

The Publisher Shopify Theme caters to artists, publishers, digital bookstores, or other types of businesses in the printing industry. Its product showcases are composed of subtle gradients and contemporary typography, which captures shoppers’ attention at first sight and encourages longer exploration. 

Lookbook

Lookbook

A “lookbook” is like a digital gallery where artists showcase their unique items front and center. It’s a way for artists to create attractive books, clothes, and merchandise collections. This storytelling appeals to art lovers, making them more interested in buying things as they browse the store.

Product options

Product options

For artwork, product options can include different framing or display options, helping customers tailor their purchases to match their interior decor or aesthetic preferences. Moreover, publishers can use product options to indicate whether a book is autographed by the author, making it easier for collectors to find signed copies.

Slideshow

The slideshow exhibits products in a side-scrolling carousel, which enables you to see a whole collection quickly. It’s a trendy and creative way to display artwork or prints on the homepage. 

Mega menu

Mega menu

The “Mega Menu” feature in the Handmade Shopify theme is a robust navigation tool designed to help you organize and showcase your products and collections. It offers a visually engaging and dynamic menu structure that can display large amounts of content, including categories, subcategories, and featured items, all in one dropdown menu.

Improve customer experience 

Fast loading speed

Artists and publishers often have high-quality visual content on their websites. A fast-loading theme ensures that these images and other media load quickly, providing visitors with a seamless and visually appealing experience. 

High-resolution images

High-resolution images

The Publisher theme supports high-resolution images to make your products look really clear and attractive. This feature allows customers to zoom in and explore details, giving them a comprehensive view of your offerings.

Image galleries

Image galleries

Presenting products visually appealingly is key to capturing customer’s interest. The Image Galleries feature lets you display multiple images for each product, allowing shoppers to explore different angles and perspectives.

Seamless check-out process

Cart notes

Leaving Cart Notes provides customers with a convenient way to communicate special preferences or requests regarding their orders. This feature ensures that their preferences are considered, adding a personal touch to their shopping experience.

Quick buy

The Quick Buy feature lets customers buy stuff from the product page, skipping the usual step of going to a separate product page. 

Slide-out cart

With this feature, customers can easily view the contents when they add items to their cart without leaving the current page. This feature adds a layer of convenience and interactivity to the shopping journey, which leads to a smoother overall experience.

Improve conversion rate 

Blogs

Blogs

The Publisher theme allows you to create open blogs to share knowledge, inspiration, and expertise. Blogs can be used to inform and educate customers about the products and services you offer. 

For example, if you run a publishing ecommerce business, you can write about self-publishing options and the services you provide to support self-publishing authors. This helps your customers learn more about what you offer.

Cross-selling

The Publisher theme makes it easy to suggest related or complementary products to customers, boosting their average order value and improving their shopping experience.

Recommended products 

Using the Recommended Products feature of the Publisher theme, you can strategically display items that go hand-in-hand with their choices, encouraging extra purchases.

Ingredients or nutritional information

Ingredients or nutritional information

Detailed product descriptions in the art and publishing industry can offer transparency about the materials used, dimensions, and any relevant details. This helps customers choose the right products for their needs. 

For example, artists want to know the canvas’s weight or the paper’s texture, while publishers may seek details about the book’s binding or paper used. 

Stock counter 

A stock counter can show customers that there is a limited quantity of a product available, creating a sense of urgency and encouraging quicker purchases. This tactic is beneficial for rare or collectible items. 

FAQ page

Having an FAQ page allows you to inform your customers about important details like print quality, materials, and the content of your books or art pieces.

Promo banners

Promo banners in the Publisher Shopify theme help art and publishing industries to highlight special promotions, new releases, or important announcements, effectively drawing attention to key offerings and encouraging customer engagement.

Design & Customization 

Presets 

Presets 

The Publisher theme only offers an all-in-one preset that can adaptively adjust to all types of business in the art and publishing industry, whether they sell books, clothing, merchandise, or accessories.

Overall, the preset exudes a stylish and timeless charm, making items like books and fashion stand out without distracting backgrounds. It creates a sense of limited availability, encouraging potential buyers to make a purchase, especially when they see items marked as “nearly-sold-out.”

Detailing Customization Options 

Personalizing your online store’s look is crucial in crafting a unique and unforgettable brand journey. With the Publisher Shopify Theme, you can easily customize multiple elements, ensuring your store mirrors your brand’s essence.

Customizing the Header

The header serves as the entry point to your online store, including your logo, menu, and essential navigation tools. To make changes, follow these steps:

Customizing the Header
  • Step 1: Click on the header tab within the theme editor.
  • Step 2: You should add your logo to the editor. To make sure it looks best, it’s a good idea to keep your logo’s height under 100 pixels. You can also change the logo’s height by using the slider under the logo image field.
  • Step 3: Further customization options include displaying or hiding elements like menu, sticky header, country/region selectors, or language selectors.
Customizing the Collage
Customizing the Collage

The collage section is the spotlight that captures attention at first glance. To make changes, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Click on the collage tab within the theme editor.
  • Step 2: Add texts to the Heading and edit its size and destop/mobile layout.
  • Step 3: Further customization options include editing elements like card style, color scheme, and section padding (essential to take notice of because the ratio is important).
Customizing the Footer
Customizing the Footer

The footer contains additional navigation choices like subscription, call-to-action testimonials, or further information. To personalize this section:

  • Step 1: Click on the collage tab within the theme editor.
  • Step 2: Edit email signups and social media icons, follow shop and payment methods, or add policy links. You can also choose your preferred language and region selector for a seamless browsing experience.

How to Add Shopify Publisher Theme to your store

Adding the Publisher Shopify Theme to your online store is a simple process that starts with a few easy steps:

  • Step 1: Visit the Shopify Theme Store: Begin by going to the Shopify Theme Store. In the search bar, type “Publisher” to quickly locate the theme.
  • Step 2: Preview and Purchase: Once you’re on the Publisher theme page, take a moment to preview it. If it fits your needs, click the “Buy Theme” option.
  • Step 3: Confirm Your Purchase: Review all the theme details to ensure it aligns with your vision. Ensure you’re logged into your Shopify account and confirm your purchase.
  • Step 4: Install the Theme: After the purchase is completed, you’ll be directed to your Shopify dashboard. From there, select “Online Store” and then “Themes.” In this section, you’ll find the option to upload a theme. Locate and choose the Publisher Theme file you acquired.
  • Step 5: Customize the Publisher Theme: Once the Publisher Theme is successfully uploaded, click the “Customize” button next to the theme. This allows you to edit the Shopify theme and change the settings to match your preferences. 
  • Step 6: Publish the Theme: After customizing the theme to your liking, it’s time to publish the Publisher theme and make it live on your store. Click on “Actions” and select “Publish” to set the Publisher Theme as your active theme.
  • Step 7: Review and Launch: Before making your store accessible to visitors, take a final look to ensure everything appears and functions as intended. Once you’re satisfied, your store is ready to go live!

Mobile Responsiveness

Overall, the Handmade Shopify Theme excels in this aspect, as it’s thoughtfully designed to be mobile responsive. Whether your customers use smartphones or tablets, this theme ensures everything looks and works perfectly.

Mobile Responsiveness

Content, including text and images, automatically adjusts to fit diverse ratios. Or else, you can easily customize all the elements to fit your mobile display. This flexibility ensures that the visual appeal and prioritizes user-friendliness on mobile devices.

Where to Download The Publisher Shopify Theme

Successfully, if you want to use the Publisher theme, you don’t have to pay for it. You can easily find it in the Shopify Theme Store, and click on “Download”. Once you are on the store’s website, start using it on your Shopify store.

Who is Best For

Type of business

  • Writers: Novelists, authors selling their brainchild and aiming to gain more popularity.
  • Designers: Fashion designers focusing on custom-made clothes and branding their physical stores.
  • Aesthetic-focused Stores: Brands specializing in artisanal and artistic products.

Size

  • Small businesses: Typically, smaller artwork and print-sellers, such as local apparel boutiques or online startups.
  • Medium-sized enterprises: Businesses that have grown beyond the startup phase may have multiple stores or an extensive product line.
  • Startups: Newly established businesses focusing on the art and publishing industry.
  • High-volume stores: Businesses expanding and growing in the art and publishing sector.

Industry

The Publisher theme excels in visual storytelling, making it a great choice for industries that rely on high-quality images and aesthetics. 

  • Art and Design: The theme’s stylish and image-focused design is well-suited for artists, designers, and galleries looking to showcase their work.
  • Publishing: Given its name, the Publisher theme is an excellent choice for publishers, bookstores, and authors. It allows for easy display and sale of books and written content.
  • Fashion and Apparel: The theme’s modern and sophisticated design can work well for clothing boutiques and fashion brands looking to create an elegant online presence.
  • Home Decor and Interior Design: Businesses selling home decor, furniture, or interior design products can benefit from the theme’s focus on visual aesthetics.
  • Crafts and Handmade Products: If you create and sell handmade or craft items, the Publisher theme can help you display your products beautifully.
  • Collectibles and Rare Items: The theme’s limited availability and product-focused design can create a sense of urgency, making it suitable for businesses selling collectible or rare items.
  • General E-commerce: While it has a specific focus, the Publisher theme’s adaptability means it can be used effectively for general e-commerce, particularly if your business values a clean and visually appealing design.

Special requirements

  • Integrating with book/fashion social media and community platforms: Using social media and online book/fashion communities for marketing and engagement.
  • Print-on-demand Business: Stores rely on dropshipping to offer various custom designs without holding inventory.

6 Tips To Elevate Your Store With Shopify Publisher Theme

Here are six valuable tips for leveraging the Shopify Publisher theme. Hope it helps!

  • Use Visual Storytelling: Maximize the Publisher theme’s layout options, high-quality imagery, minimalist design, and dynamic slideshows for a unique shopping experience.
  • Diverse Payment Choices: Extend multiple payment options to cater to various customer preferences, smoothing the checkout process and motivating customers to complete their transactions.
  • Integrate with Social Media: Leverage various platforms to expand your brand’s reach and engage a broader audience, potentially driving increased traffic to your online store.
  • Encourage Trust with Customer Reviews and Testimonials: Cultivate trust and credibility among potential buyers, positively influencing their purchasing decisions through authentic customer reviews and testimonials.
  • Tailored Product Suggestions: Provide customers with personalized recommendations based on their browsing and purchase history, encouraging them to discover relevant products and make additional purchases.
  • Swift and Responsive Customer Support: Address inquiries and resolve issues promptly, ensuring a positive shopping experience and fostering customer loyalty.

Publisher Shopify Theme: FAQs

The uniqueness of the Publisher Shopify Theme can be attributed to several features and characteristics that set it apart from other themes:
  • Focus on the Publishing Industry: The Publisher Theme caters to the publishing industry, making it a tailored solution for authors, publishers, and bookstores. It includes functionalities that cater to book releases, author profiles, and related content.
  • Artistic and Editorial Aesthetics: The theme blends creative and editorial elements, making it attractive to professionals in the art and publishing fields. It provides an elegant platform for showcasing both visual and written content.
  • Fast Loading Speed: The theme is speed-optimized, guaranteeing swift loading times for websites created using the Publisher Shopify Theme. This is critical for retaining visitors and improving SEO rankings.
  • Responsive Design: This theme provides a seamless experience across various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
  • Quick Buy and Slide-out Cart Features: These features enhance the shopping experience by allowing customers to purchase directly from product pages and easily view their cart contents without leaving the current page.
  • Promo Banners and Marketing Tools: The theme often comes with built-in marketing tools, including promo banners, which can help businesses effectively promote their products, discounts, and special events.
  • Customization Options: The Publisher theme offers robust customization, enabling businesses to tailor their website’s look and feel to align with their brand and vision.
Yes, the Publisher theme is fully responsive across all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Yes, the Publisher theme accommodates multiple languages and currencies, offering a convenient currency switcher feature for seamless navigation between different monetary units. This makes it an excellent choice for businesses seeking to establish a versatile, multilingual, and multicurrency website.
Additionally, the Publisher theme integrates with the WPML and WooCommerce Multilingual plugins, simplifying adding multiple languages and currencies to your website.
Yes, the Publisher theme has built-in SEO optimization features strategically crafted to elevate your website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). This theme offers essential SEO elements, including clean code, rapid loading speeds, responsive design, schema markup, and SEO settings. Furthermore, it seamlessly integrates with popular SEO plugins for versatility and effectiveness.
The Publisher theme has extensive support and documentation available to its users. This includes:
  • Online documentation: The Publisher theme website has comprehensive online documentation that covers all aspects of the theme, from installation to customization.
  • Support forum: The Publisher theme website also has a support forum where users can ask questions and get help from the support team.
  • Video tutorials: Several videos are available online to help you learn how to use the Publisher theme.
  • Support tickets: If you need further assistance, you can create a support ticket with the Publisher theme support team.

Final Thoughts

The Publisher Shopify theme is a top pick for ecommerce businesses in the art and publishing industry, such as bookstores, clothing stores, or accessory crafters. Its advanced customization options with minimalist navigation cater to your personalization needs and offer your store a sense of uniqueness, which may yield more sales conversion.


Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.