This article will show you how to configure and setup your feed to and a merge file from Ad Parlor's Creative Blueprints.

AdParlor's (AP) combination of smart, creative people and proprietary technology uncovers valuable insights, leading to smarter, higher performing creative. Their Creative Blueprints technology was originally built as an internal tool to support their client’s campaigns. Their easy to use interface allows anyone to customize and export image or video assets from their Blueprint library, or any Adobe Creative file!

Learn more by going to https://blueprints.adparlor.com/.

Step 1  Setup and submit your feed to AdParlor via SFTP

First, you will need to setup the feed for Creative Blueprints.

1. In GoDataFeed (GDF), go to Feeds
2. If you have not already, then add a feed template for "AdParlor - Creative Blueprints"
3. Upon adding the feed, we auto-map both SKU and image_link which are required
   
   
4. Additionally, you should also map any fields of data that you want to make available in the template editor in Creative Blueprints, like price, brand, condition, or title.
   • You can also use the custom fields in the template to provide any fields of your choice. If you need more custom fields, then please contact our support team for assistance. 
     
5. When you are ready to send the feed to AP, then AP will provide SFTP details to which the feed will be set to send the feed file to.
   • Enter the AP SFTP details provided to you by AP
     • Host = provided to you by AP
       • add "/feed_uploads" to the end of the host because the feed file must be placed in the feed upload folder on the AP SFTP location
     • Username = provided to you by AP
     • Password = provided to you by AP
     • Port = 22 (expand Advanced Settings)
6. Please ensure the feed is scheduled to submit to AP on the agreed upon time determined by AP

Now, you are ready to use AP Creative Blueprints to render new images with dynamic content.

Step 2  AdParlor Creative Blueprints engine will render an image for each product in the feed using the approved Blueprint

1. Note: Each feed can run against a single blueprint
   

   If you need more than one feed, then you can clone the feed template. To clone a feed template:

   1. Go to Feeds
   2. Find the template you want to clone
   3. Use the settings menu in the far-right of the screen
   4. Select Clone Feed
   5. In the options pop-up, click Clone Feed
   6. Lastly, activate the new template and be sure to update the file name to be unique from all other AP feeds

2. Blueprints can be updated as needed in AP
3. The rendered image will populate the dynamic elements based on the data provided in the feed
   

   Column mappings to blueprint layers must be agreed upon prior to launch

Now, you are ready to export the new images to the AP SFTP for GDF to retrieve.

Step 3  AP returns the product feed CSV to the SFTP

AdParlor Creative Blueprint engine will return the product feed csv to the SFTP for GoDataFeed to retrieve as a merge file along with your primary import source.

This AP output file will have an additional column ap_image_link that will contain the new image links to the optimized image assets generated by the blueprint.

Now, you are ready to merge the output file from AP back into GDF along with your primary import source.

Step 4 Merge the AP output feed file back into GDF's product import

To merge this AP file with your product import:

1. In GDF, go to Products > Merge files
2. Add a new merge file
3. Select FTP (this option will support AP's SFTP)
4. Complete the merge file settings form
   
   1. Merge field name: Enter the name of the column in the AP file that contains your product identifies, like SKUs. This might be "id", but you should verify the name of the column inside the file.
   2. Skip Stack Merge - leave disabled
   3. File name: Enter the file name as it shows in the SFTP location
   4. FTP details: Enter the AP SFTP details provided to you by AP
      • Host = AP SFTP Address
        • add "/feed_downloads" to the end of the host because the output feed file must be retrieved from the feed download folder on the AP SFTP location
      • Username = AP SFTP Username
      • Password = AP SFTP Password
      • Port = 22
      • Security = Default
5. Save the merge file settings
6. Trigger a new import
7. Upon completion, verify the new ap_image_link column is in your GDF import data
   1. Go to Products > Catalog > Download
   2. Open the product file on your local computer
   3. Find the ap_image_link column and verify the values in the column

Now, you are ready to use your new images into your social feeds

Step 5  Map the new column AP_image_link in your social feeds

Find the feed templates for your social channels, like Pinterest, Facebook/Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and map the new field as the image link.

1. In GDF, Go to Feeds > open the desired feed
2. Go to Mapping
3. Update the image_link mappings to the new field AP_image_link
   
   
4. Compile the feed and verify your change
5. If needed, submit your feed to the channel - otherwise wait until the next scheduled fetch via URL
6. Once the channel has the updated feed, verify the images are in the channel

🎉All done - please feel free to contact our support team for any assistance with the AdParlor feed and merge file setup process.