Creating a Product
Products are the core of your TimberCloud catalog. This guide covers creating products from scratch, copying existing products, and using templates to speed up your workflow.
Creating a New Product
Step 1: Navigate to Catalog
From your dashboard, go to Catalog in the sidebar. You'll see your existing products displayed in a grid view.
Step 2: Click "Add New Product"
Click the "Add New Product" card to open the product creation modal. You have three options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Create New | Start with a blank product |
| Templates | Use a pre-built template (recommended for common product types) |
| Copy Existing | Duplicate an existing product from your catalog |
Step 3: Enter Product Details
Fill out the basic product information:
Required Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Name | The display name of your product |
| Categories | Select one or more categories (organized by groups) |
Optional Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Description | A brief description shown to customers |
| Lead Time | Estimated production time in days |
Product Configuration
After entering basic details, configure additional settings:
Visibility & Pricing
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Enable for Customer | Makes the product visible in your shop | On |
| Discounted | Allows order-wide discounts to apply to this product | On |
| Single Line Item Only | Restricts customers to one line item per order (retail-style) | Off |
Shipping Configuration
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Included in Shipping Cost | Include this product in shipping calculations | On |
Customer Restrictions
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Exclusive Product | Limit this product to specific customers | Off |
When enabled, you can select which customers have access to purchase this product.
LTL Shipping Options
For freight shipments, configure these additional settings:
Package Settings
| Setting | Options | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Package Type | Auto Generate, Box, Pallet | Auto Generate uses smart packaging algorithm (recommended) |
| Stackable | On/Off | Indicates if packages can be safely stacked |
Freight Class
Freight class determines shipping costs based on density. Lower class = heavier/denser items (lower cost):
| Class | Density (lbs/ft³) | Example Items |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50+ | Heavy machinery, metal |
| 70 | 15-22.5 | Solid wood furniture |
| 100 | 9-10.5 | Standard cabinets |
| 150 | 6-7 | Lightweight assemblies |
| 250 | 3-4 | Panel goods |
| 500 | Less than 1 | Very light items |
Special Service Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Hazardous Materials | Shipment contains hazardous materials |
| Over Dimensional | Exceeds standard limits (width >8.5ft, height >13.5ft, length >53ft) |
| Excessive Length | Length exceeds 53 feet |
| Protective Service Coverage | Additional protection coverage |
| Additional Insurance | Extra insurance beyond standard liability |
| Marking/Counting | Special marking and piece counting service |
Categories
Categories help organize products and make them easier for customers to find.
Creating Categories
- Go to Settings → Products
- Click "Create Category"
- Enter a name and optional description
- Assign to a group (for organization)
Category Groups
Categories can be organized into groups for better management. When selecting categories for a product, they appear grouped in the dropdown.
Example Groups:
- Doors
- Drawer Boxes
- Accessories
- Hardware
Measurement Units
Each product can have its own measurement configuration:
| Setting | Options | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement Units | Imperial, Metric | Primary measurement system |
| Unit Type | Inches, Feet, Yards (Imperial) or mm, cm, m (Metric) | Default unit for dimensions |
These settings affect:
- Line item input fields
- Pricing calculations
- Parts specifications
- Build sheet output
Using Templates
Templates are pre-configured product definitions that speed up product creation.
What Templates Include
- Line item configuration
- Attribute structure
- Pricing formulas
- Parts specifications
- Build sheet layouts
Selecting a Template
- Click "Add New Product"
- Choose the Templates tab
- Browse by category or search
- Click a template to create a product based on it
Templates appear with a blue "Template" badge and are organized by category for easy browsing.
Template vs. Product Copy
| Feature | Templates | Copy Existing |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Global library | Your products |
| Categories | Pre-organized | Your categories |
| Best for | Starting new product types | Variations of your products |
Product Order
Products can be reordered by dragging and dropping on the Catalog page. The order affects how products appear in your shop and customer portal.
Note: Reordering requires the "Manage Product Order" permission.
Next Steps
After creating your product, configure:
- Attributes - Define selectable options (materials, finishes, etc.)
- Line Items - Configure the order form fields
- Pricing - Create pricing formulas
- Parts - Define components for shipping and production
- Exports - Set up CSV and ORD export files