How can I assign a specific picture to a particular product variant?

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

A user needs help assigning specific images to product variants in Shopify. The issue: while they can successfully add images to individual variants following standard procedures, all variant images display together on the product page alongside the main product images, with no separation between them.

Initial Solution Provided:

  • Add variants to the product
  • Select the image box next to each variant
  • Choose “Add image > Done”
  • Screenshots were shared showing the process

Core Problem Identified:
When customers select different variants, all variant images appear simultaneously rather than showing only the relevant image for the selected variant.

Advanced Solution Suggested:

  • Modify store settings to prevent automatic selection of the first variant when customers visit product pages
  • This requires customers to manually select a variant before seeing its specific image
  • For Shopify-powered themes, the Theme Support team can assist with these customizations via support request
  • A community blog post and help center article were referenced for detailed implementation steps

Status: The discussion remains open as the user works through the more advanced configuration options.

Summarized with AI on November 19. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

How to allocate specific picture to specific variant?

2

Hi, @Datislifestyle .

Thanks for posting your question here!

If you’re looking to set a specific picture to a specific variant, please follow the steps/screenshots below.

How to add a picture to a variant:

This should add photos to specific variants when customers select variants on your storefront.

Let us know if you have any further questions or need help with the steps listed above.

3

Hi Victoria,

Thanks for your reply.

I exactly do according your guideline. The problem is, any picture that I add to variants is displayed in product page along with pictures of main product, and when I select different variant all pictures of all variant are displayed all together. There is no separation between pictures and variants.

4

Thanks for your follow-up message, @Datislifestyle .

Got it. So you’re looking to show the featured image and then customers can manually select a variant and the variant image should appear. Is this correct? If so, we have shared some helpful steps in this community blog post here.

You can modify your online store’s settings to prevent the automatic selection of the first available variant when a customer visits a product page. By doing so, the customer will be required to manually select a variant before it is displayed, which allows for greater customization and control over the shopping experience. I recommend checking out our help center article for more information.

If you’re using a Shopify-powered theme, you may be able to receive support/small changes to your theme. You can create a support request to be transferred to our Theme Support team so they can take a closer look.