Skip to main content

AI Background Remover for web-to-print uploads

For web-to-print stores that want a product designer background removal tool their buyers use before ordering.

Applies to plugin 2.17 Updated October 2026

Product designer with an uploaded photo selected and the AI tools in the image toolbar

Select an uploaded photo and the image toolbar offers Remove background and Upscale. Demo capture.

In short

What this does for your store

Customer-upload background removal: removing the background of artwork a buyer uploads inside the store's product designer, so the transparent cut-out goes straight into the order's print file.

Runs in
The buyer's designer
Options
Subject type, edge, high detail, output
Refine
Erase, Restore, Smart Select, zoom, undo
Checked against
Plugin 2.17

The business moment

What happens when customers upload artwork you cannot use?

Web-to-print buyers upload what they have: a phone photo, a screenshot, a logo from a website. The background comes with it, and so does the support work.

  • Staff email buyers asking for a transparent version they do not know how to make.
  • Orders wait while artwork goes back and forth.
  • Buyers leave the designer when the upload looks wrong and they cannot fix it.
  • Hand cut-outs by staff are slow and are not charged for.

How it works inside WooCommerce

How a buyer removes a background in your designer

One tool, deep: the options the buyer sees, the refine step and what staff receive.

  1. Buyer uploadsIn the plugin today
  2. Select, then Remove backgroundIn the plugin today
  3. Choose options and refineIn the plugin today
  4. Apply and ProcessIn the plugin today
  5. Order with edited artworkIn the plugin today
  6. Bulk cut-out of an existing libraryCustom development
  1. Choose the options. Remove background with AI: subject type, edge softness, high-detail mode and transparent or white output.

    Choose the options

    Remove background with AI: subject type, edge softness, high-detail mode and transparent or white output.

  2. Refine before applying. The cut-out on a transparent grid with Erase, Restore, Smart Select, brush size, zoom and undo.

    Refine before applying

    The cut-out on a transparent grid with Erase, Restore, Smart Select, brush size, zoom and undo.

  3. Saved as Your artwork. After Process, the edited design is saved next to Add to cart.

    Saved as Your artwork

    After Process, the edited design is saved next to Add to cart.

  4. Staff receive the order. The order carries the customer design and an AI Preflight panel.

    Staff receive the order

    The order carries the customer design and an AI Preflight panel.

Real captures from the Cmsmart demo store (order #1670 and test products). Customers, orders and data are demo data.

Requirements

What can the buyer choose?

These are the options in plugin 2.17.

ItemValueSource
Subject typeAuto-detect, Person, Product, Logo, Text, Hair or furCmsmart plugin 2.17
Edge softness0 (hard cut) to 10 (feathered); default 3Cmsmart plugin 2.17
High-detail modeOptional, meant for hair and fur, adds about 10 secondsCmsmart plugin 2.17
Output backgroundTransparent (PNG) or whiteCmsmart plugin 2.17
Refine toolsErase, Restore, brush or Smart Select, zoom, pan, undo and resetCmsmart plugin 2.17
File size and formatsNot stated in the plugin, so no figure is printed hereCmsmart plugin 2.17

Other tools publish their own limits, for example a 12 MB per layer and 50 MP cap in Printful's tool. Cmsmart makes no such claim.

Recommended settings

Recommended settings by upload type

Every option below exists in plugin 2.17. The recommendation is our starting point; test it on your own artwork.

SettingStart withWhy
Logo or graphic uploadSubject: Logo or Text; high detail offGives clean edges on flat artwork.
Portrait photoSubject: Person; edge softness near the defaultA little softness blends skin and hair.
Product photoSubject: Product; white output if the product has a white backgroundMatches how the product will print.
Hair or furSubject: Hair or fur; high detail onThe mode built for fine strands.
Who may use itEveryone, Members, or Customers who have orderedPick the audience that fits your token budget.

Cost

How is it paid for?

AI runs on tokens from the store owner's Cmsmart wallet, so your buyers never see a charge. Tokens come with a monthly plan and the balance resets at each renewal. This page does not print a per-use cost; the live plans and balance are on AI credits and in your dashboard.

Comparison

Ways to let customers fix their uploads

Written by the Cmsmart team, who make this tool. Competitor facts come from vendor pages, checked on 6 October 2026; anything a page does not state is marked as not stated.

QuestionCmsmart in your own storeAsk the customer to use an online toolStaff cut-out by handAnother web-to-print vendor
Where it runsInside your WooCommerce designerOn a third-party siteOn a staff computerInside that vendor's editor (PressCentric announced automatic removal on customer uploads)
Who does the workThe buyer, in one flowThe buyer, in a second flowYour staffThe buyer
Refine toolsErase, Restore, Smart SelectVaries by toolFull editorNot stated here
Pricing modelTokens from your Cmsmart walletFree tier or per imageStaff timeNot stated here
Best forWooCommerce web-to-print storesShops that cannot change the designerDifficult artworkShops on that vendor

Where the others win

  • Telling a buyer to use a free online tool costs you no tokens.
  • A staff cut-out gives the finest result on difficult artwork.
  • A vendor's own editor is the natural choice if you already run it.

Sources (checked 6 October 2026): PressCentric release note · Printful background removal tool · remove.bg API. Product names are trademarks of their owners.

Be clear before you start

What does it not do?

  • It works on images the buyer places in the designer. It does not touch your catalogue photos and has no batch mode.
  • It does not promise a perfect edge on every image; the refine step exists for that.
  • Maximum file size and accepted formats are not stated in the plugin.
  • The dashboard pages explain the tool; it runs in your store's designer.
  • Bulk cut-out of an existing artwork library is custom development.

Go further with custom development

Need more than the plugin does today?

We build these as scoped projects on your WooCommerce store, tracked in WorkSuite like every client project. Talk to an ecommerce expert and we will quote it.

  • Bulk cut-out of an existing library
  • Per-product defaults for subject type
  • A review queue for edited uploads
  • A preflight gate before checkout

Real numbers, real clients

Trusted by store owners in 80+ countries

What we have delivered since 2012, and what customers say about working with us.

  • 6,300+ client projects since 2012
  • 4,600+ projects delivered since 2012
  • 1,800+ live stores online now
  • 80+ countries clients worldwide
  • 500+ custom development projects since 2012
  • 120+ engagements running 5+ years ongoing support

Since 2012 · a Netbase JSC company · as of Sep 2026 · source: WorkSuite project records

Teams in 80+ countries run their ecommerce projects with Cmsmart

NBDesigner is a very robust plugin for printing shops. It may take a bit of time to learn, as I am, but the support team is there to help. I've been in printing 30 years and I am impressed with how the developers have thought this plugin through. It has everything.

Pamela Redman Pamela Redman United States Dec 2020
Verified on Trustpilot

Plug in is so good. Please make toturial video step by step. Selena answered the question well, but I wish it had been faster.

วชิระ เชื้อผู้ดี วชิระ เชื้อผู้ดี Thailand Jul 2025
Verified on Trustpilot

Great software and excellent support! NBDesigner is a fantastic tool – very intuitive and easy to use. It makes the customization process smooth and efficient. The support team is also incredibly helpful, responsive, and professional. I use it on my website, and it works perfectly. Highly recommended!

Khanh Nguyễn Đức Khanh Nguyễn Đức Vietnam Jun 2025
Verified on Trustpilot

Read more testimonials Delivered & maintained with WorkSuite: tickets, tasks, milestones and invoices in one place. See how it works

Get started

Give your buyers a cut-out tool in your own designer

Get a free licence, install the plugin and try the tool in your designer. The dashboard explains the tools; it does not run them. Or tell us what your print workflow needs.


Top