Creator
How to Add Photo to Visual Checkout Station Item
Upload a photo for an item in a Visual Checkout Station so customers can identify and tap it on the kiosk screen.
๐ผ๏ธ Overview
A Visual Checkout Station displays items as tappable photos on the kiosk screen โ used for items the kiosk camera can't recognize on its own (deli, made-to-order, items without barcodes). Each item in a Visual Checkout Station needs a clear, well-lit photo so customers know what they're tapping.
This guide walks through uploading or replacing the photo on a Visual Checkout Station item in Creator.
What you'll need:
- Access to creator.mashgin.com
- A photo of the item ready to upload (JPG or PNG)
Tip: Square photos with a plain background work best. Customers should be able to tell at a glance which item is which.
๐ How to Add a Photo
Step 1. Open the Visual Checkout Station item
- Go to creator.mashgin.com and log in
- Confirm you're in the correct location at the top of the screen
- In the left sidebar, click on your Visual Checkout Station
- Click the item you want to add or update a photo for
- Example: Open the Tacos Container and Select โAl Pastor Tacosโ


Step 2. Upload the photo
- In the item editor, find the Photo (or Image) field
- Click Browse โ or drag the image file directly onto the upload area
- Select your image file (JPG or PNG)
- The new photo will appear in the preview once it uploads
If you're replacing an existing photo, the old one is overwritten. Save a copy of the original first if you may want to revert.

Step 3. Save and verify on the kiosk
- Click Save at the bottom of the item editor
- Changes sync to the kiosk automatically within a couple of minutes
- Walk up to the kiosk and confirm the new photo appears on the Visual Checkout Station tile
๐ก Tips
- Use consistent framing. Photograph every item from the same angle (typically top-down) so the station feels uniform on the kiosk screen.
- Avoid stock photos. Use a real photo of the actual item your customers will receive โ stock images can confuse customers when the dish on the kiosk doesn't match what's in the case.
- Refresh seasonally. If the item's plating, packaging, or portion changes, update the photo so the kiosk view stays accurate.
๐ ๏ธ Troubleshooting
Photo upload fails or doesn't appear
Issue: The image won't upload, or it uploads but doesn't show in the preview.
Fix:
- Confirm the file is JPG or PNG โ other formats (HEIC, WEBP, GIF) may not be accepted
- Try a smaller file if the image is very large โ oversized files can fail silently
- Refresh the page and try again
- Try a different browser if the issue persists
Photo looks pixelated or stretched on the kiosk
Issue: The photo renders blurry, stretched, or oddly cropped on the kiosk screen.
Fix:
- Use a higher-resolution source image โ the kiosk scales photos up if they're too small
- Use a square aspect ratio if possible โ non-square images may be cropped or letterboxed
- Re-upload after editing the source file
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Need help? Contact support at ๐ง help@mashgin.com or call (855) 475-0889
