Overview
Editor Modes is an admin control feature that allows you to determine which design interfaces are available to your customers when creating custom signs.
You can choose to enable both the text editor and custom design options, or disable the text editor to streamline the customer experience by directing them exclusively to your custom design interface.
Simple Breakdown
When you disable the text editor in a customiser, your customers will only see your custom design interface - either the AI Designer, an embedded custom form, or a link to an external design page. This creates a more focused, streamlined ordering experience for customers who need to provide custom artwork or detailed design specifications.
The text editor toggle gives you control over the customer journey:
- Text Editor Enabled: Customers can choose between typing text directly in the customiser or switching to the custom design interface using tab navigation
- Text Editor Disabled: Customers are automatically directed to the custom design interface with no tab switcher visible, creating a single, focused workflow
This feature is particularly useful for shops that primarily work with customer-provided artwork, complex custom designs, or detailed form-based requirements, where the standard text editor interface may not be the primary ordering method.
Prerequisites
Before you can disable the text editor, you must have at least one custom design option configured for your customiser:
AI Designer: The AI-powered sign designer that generates custom graphics
Embedded Form: A custom form embedded directly in the customiser for collecting detailed design specifications
External Link: with showCustomDesign enabled): A link to an external page for custom design submissions
Without one of these options enabled, the text editor cannot be disabled, as customers would have no way to create their order.
How to Access Editor Modes
1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel or sign into your Sign Customiser account.
2. Navigate to Apps and select Sign Customiser
3. From your list of customisers, click on the customiser you want to configure
4. In the left sidebar, scroll down to the Features section
5. Click on Editor Modes
6. On the Editor Modes page, you'll see a checkbox labelled "Enable Text Editor"
Enabling or Disabling the Text Editor
To disable the text editor:
Navigate to the Editor Modes page following the steps above
If you see a warning banner stating "You must enable a custom design option before you can disable the text editor," click the "Configure Custom Designs" link and set up your preferred custom design option first
Once a custom design option is configured, the "Enable Text Editor" checkbox will be active
Uncheck the "Enable Text Editor" checkbox
You'll see an informational banner confirming: "With the text editor disabled, customers will only see the custom design interface. The tab switcher will be hidden and customers will be directed straight to the custom design screen."
Click the Save button at the bottom of the page
To enable the text editor:
1. Navigate to the Editor Modes page
2. Check the "Enable Text Editor" checkbox
3. Click the **Save** button
The change takes effect immediately for all new customer sessions.
Customer Experience
When Text Editor is Enabled (Default)
When the text editor is enabled, customers see the standard customiser interface:
On mobile devices with `showInitialMobileScreen` enabled, customers are presented with an intro screen offering two buttons:
- A button to access the text editor (labelled with `mainTabTitle`)
- A button to access the custom design interface (labelled with `customDesignTabTitle`)
On desktop or after making a selection on mobile, customers see tab navigation that allows switching between:
- The text editor interface where they can type their text and select options
- The custom design interface (AI Designer, form, or external link)
Customers can freely switch between these interfaces using the tab switcher
When Text Editor is Disabled
When the text editor is disabled, the customer experience is streamlined:
The intro screen (on mobile) is completely hidden - customers proceed directly to the customiser
The tab switcher is hidden from the interface
Customers are automatically directed to the custom design interface based on your configuration:
AI Designer: Customers see the AI-powered sign designer tab
Embedded Form: Customers see the custom design form tab
External Link: Customers see the custom design interface or are directed to your external link
There is no way for customers to access the text editor - they must use the custom design workflow
All other customiser features (size selection, mounting options, additional inputs, review screen, etc.) remain fully functional.
Use Cases
Use Case 1: AI Designer-Only Workflow
A shop specialising in fully custom neon signs wants all customers to use the AI Designer to generate their artwork:
1. Configure AI Designer
2. Navigate to Editor Modes
3. Disable the text editor
4. Customers now land directly on the AI Designer interface with no text editor option
Use Case 2: Form-Based Custom Orders
A shop needs detailed specifications for complex channel letter installations:
1. Create a comprehensive custom form with all required fields
2. Configure the form as the custom design option
3. Navigate to Editor Modes
4. Disable the text editor
5. Customers are directed straight to the form to provide their specifications
Troubleshooting
The "Enable Text Editor" checkbox is greyed out and I can't uncheck it.
The "Enable Text Editor" checkbox is greyed out and I can't uncheck it.
You need to configure a custom design option first. Click the "Configure Custom Designs" link in the warning banner to set up AI Designer, an embedded form, or an external link with showCustomDesign enabled.
I disabled the text editor but customers are still seeing the text editor tab.
I disabled the text editor but customers are still seeing the text editor tab.
Ensure you clicked the Save button after making the change. If the issue persists, check that your custom design option is properly configured. The text editor will remain visible if the custom design configuration is invalid.
I want to re-enable the text editor but keep my custom design option.
I want to re-enable the text editor but keep my custom design option.
Simply check the "Enable Text Editor" checkbox on the Editor Modes page and click Save. Both interfaces will be available to customers with tab navigation.
After disabling the text editor, the review screen or quote mode isn't showing.
After disabling the text editor, the review screen or quote mode isn't showing.
The review screen and quote mode features are independent of the Editor Modes setting. They continue to function normally when the text editor is disabled. Check your Review Screen and Quote Mode settings to ensure they're configured correctly.