Embed Adobe Stock API with Custom Shopify App – A Quick Guide

This blog was updated on 8th January 2025 to include the development process of Shopify Search App integrated with Adobe Stock API.

Adobe has a vast number of image galleries with over 200 million HD-quality stock images. Adobe allows the utilization of these galleries by embedding Adobe stock API with any third-party solution. 

Today, we will explore how beneficial Adobe APIs are and how our Shopify expert developers leveraged these APIs to develop a Shopify custom app for one of our clients. 

What is Adobe Stock API?

Adobe Stock Assets API is a set of tools that allow developers to integrate Adobe stock with custom platforms. These APIs provide access to a vast repository of high-quality images, videos, illustrations, and other creative assets.

Exploring Our Shopify Custom App Integration

Our client was running an e-commerce store of Home and Living Essentials, requiring a bespoke private Shopify search app integrated with Adobe APIs. The primary aim was to enable users to personalize products by selecting images from Adobe Stock within the store environment. 

We kickstarted the project after understanding the requirements and developed the custom app to enable customers to print on demand with Shopify.

Following are the features we implemented in the app:

1. Pre-defined Keyword Tags For Adobe Stock Assets

   We’ve integrated the Adobe APIs into our custom Shopify app, enabling customers to discover images without the need for specific keywords. By incorporating product tags as searchable keywords within our interface, users can easily access images relevant to their product needs. Moreover, customers have the flexibility to manually input keywords, empowering them to find precisely the images they desire for printing on their chosen products.

2. Custom Search Filters for the Shopify Search App

   To make this custom Shopify app more user-friendly, we implemented custom image search filters for users to enjoy the refined search capabilities, including category, sorting, alignment, and number of pictures. Moreover, users can also utilize the image alignment filters, as demonstrated in the image below.

3. Optimized Image Display

   We aimed to showcase Adobe Stock images directly within the store environment, avoiding any redirection to third-party sites. We created a custom layout designed specifically for presenting these images to achieve this. This customized layout ensured the images appeared seamlessly within the store, maintaining proper formatting. 

4. Seamless Configurator Integration

   Our Shopify expert developers utilized existing Shopify apps to pass the APIs to the configurator for the Shopify search app. This integration empowered users to tailor and edit their selected images effortlessly to meet their specific requirements. Whether adjusting sizes or making any desired alterations, this integration ensured a smooth and intuitive customization experience in print on demand with Shopify.

5. User-Friendly Checkout Experience

   Maintaining a seamless checkout experience was crucial as we implemented custom functionalities. We prioritized keeping the checkout process smooth after personalization. This allowed users to effortlessly add personalized products to their cart and proceed swiftly through the checkout steps.

Built Private Shopify Search App Integrated with Adobe Stock API: Our Development Process

At The Brihaspati Infotech, we built a private Shopify search app integrated with Adobe Stock APIs. The app allows users to search, filter, and select images from Adobe Stock and pass them to the eCommerce store’s product configurator for seamless customization.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how we implemented the project: 

1. Determine Project Details 

We collaborated with the client to identify project goals and core features. The user journey was mapped out from image search to checkout to ensure a seamless experience.

Identified key functionalities:

• Search by keywords or Adobe image numbers
• Apply filters (categories, alignment, sorting)
• Pass images to the configurator for customization.

2. Integrated Adobe Stock API for Image Search

Seamless integration with Adobe Stock was integral for users to search and select images from the Shopify app. Here’s how we implemented:

• Registered for the Adobe Stock API and acquired the API key.
• Set up API authentication to establish secure communication between the Shopify app and Adobe Stock’s servers.
• Tested API calls using Postman to ensure reliable communication.

3. Created Custom Search Functionality 

We developed a search interface for users to 

• Search images by keywords or Adobe image numbers. 
• Apply custom filters for image categories (e.g., landscapes, portraits, abstract), alignment (horizontal, vertical, panorama, square), and sorting options (e.g., most relevant, newest, popular). 

Our team worked on a category-based panel to help users quickly browse predefined image categories (e.g., free or premium images).

• Linked the “Design Now” button to navigate directly to the configurator.
• Ensured search results are displayed in a 3-column layout to optimize the user experience.

4. Optimized Search Results Display 

We focused on creating a responsive, user-friendly interface for displaying search results. Below are the key steps to implement an enhanced image search experience:

• Designed a responsive image grid layout using Liquid templates and CSS.
• Ensured images are displayed without cropping or cutting, maintaining their original dimensions.
• Implemented lazy loading to improve page load times and performance.

5. Passing Selected Images to the Configurator

Ensuring a smooth transition from image selection to product customization was crucial. Here’s how we facilitating the transfer of images:

• Integrated the app with the product configurator using the client’s provided API documentation.
• Ensured selected images are transferred in real-time to the configurator without modifying the configurator’s functionality.

6. App Testing & Quality Assurance

We conducted end-to-end testing to ensure all app features work as expected. Multiple scenarios were tested, including:

• Keyword search and image number search
• Applying custom filters
• Passing images to the configurator in real time

The Shopify app was checked for performance, speed, and API limits to prevent business disruptions.

7. Shopify App Deployment & Launch

We deployed the private Shopify app to the client’s store. We made necessary adjustments after testing the live website. As part of our long-term commitment, we

• Provide ongoing support for bug fixes, API updates, and enhancements.
• Monitor the app’s performance to ensure smooth user experiences.

Recently, we suggested potential product upgrades such as additional image categories and premium image options to improve user engagement.

Difficulties Our Shopify Expert Developers Faced

We encountered several challenges while embedding Stock APIs into our Shopify search app. These challenges required creative problem-solving:

• Integration complexity Integrating Adobe API with the Shopify environment posed initial complexities. The need to align external functionalities seamlessly within Shopify’s structure demanded meticulous coding for flawless working.
• Refuse API callsAdobe has no certain limit of API calls, but sometimes it refuses API calls due to technical restrictions. Our team fixed that to avoid any further issues in the future.
• Limited Customization OptionsShopify’s customization options posed certain limitations, especially concerning deeply personalized functionalities. Our development team coordinated with Shopify Officials to ensure the seamless integration between Adobe and Shopify.

Benefits of Using Adobe Stock Images?

Adobe has a vast image gallery with flexible usage options, we can utilize Adobe integration with any custom app or platform for commercial and personal use.  

1. Content Access for Custom Usage

   This functionality enables users to explore and access an extensive array of stock media assets within the Adobe library. It proves highly advantageous for any platform or app development, facilitating asset searches using keywords, models, contributors, and series, and assisting in locating similar assets.

2. Adobe Integration Capabilities & Flexibility

   Adobe integration allows developers to seamlessly incorporate Adobe Stock’s features into any platform or application. This integration can involve searching for content, previewing assets, licensing media, and managing user permissions.

3. Licensing and Usage of Adobe Stock APIs

   This Adobe integration also provides methods to facilitate the licensing and usage tracking of Adobe Stock content within third-party applications. This ensures compliance with licensing agreements and allows for proper attribution of assets.

However, Adobe’s APIs are freely accessible, but an Adobe stock integration is necessary for commercial use to eliminate the branding watermark. Adobe provides various licensing plans tailored for API integration in custom development, enabling seamless utilization within a commercial context.

Have Questions About the Integration?

In Short! Adobe API and Shopify App Integration

Adobe Stock API integration with a Shopify custom app was an exciting journey that unlocked immense potential for our client’s e-commerce store. Leveraging the extensive capabilities of Adobe stock assets APIs, our team of experts crafted a bespoke search app tailored to empower users with personalized shopping experiences.

This integration can help to enhance your customer’s shopping experience by enabling them to personalize the products before going for checkout. If you have a similar requirement for Adobe API integration with any e-commerce platform, click the Contact Us button below.