This guide walks you through exactly how to plan your IMG.LY implementation, from securing internal buy-in to production launch. You'll find realistic timelines, resource requirements, budget planning frameworks, and practical checklists based on hundreds of successful integrations — including companies like Omneky, Plai, and Optimizely.

Whether you're a product manager preparing a business case, a technical lead scoping integration work, or an engineering manager planning resource allocation, this guide gives you the framework to move confidently from planning to launch.

Still evaluating IMG.LY? See Why Build with IMG.LY for build vs. buy analysis and decision frameworks.

Want to see it in action first? Explore interactive demos to experience IMG.LY's capabilities hands-on before diving into planning.

Before diving into planning details, here's a snapshot of real companies that chose IMG.LY and the results they achieved:

Company Industry Result Implementation Path
Digitas Agency & MarTech 140 campaigns across 9-10 brands, thousands of multilingual assets generated, campaign time from days to seconds Headless + Templates
Omneky AI Ad Generation 10× increase in signups month-over-month Customization & White-Label
Plai Marketing Automation 30,000-37,000 monthly ad creatives, $1K-$10K/month savings per customer Headless + Custom UI
Optimizely MarTech Platform Serves 1,000+ enterprise customers, increased deal closure rates Customization & Templates
ImageBank X Digital Asset Management 87% reduction in slide prep time (15 min → 2 min) SDK Integration
Halio.ai Financial Services Content 30 days of content created in 30 minutes Template Automation
Postbuddy Print & Direct Mail Transforming direct mail with automation Print Templates

These range of industries these use cases encompass demonstrates the versatility of IMG.LY's platform.

Choose Your Implementation Path

Now that you've seen what's possible, let's help you choose the right implementation approach for your needs. This section covers the three implementation paths, timeline planning, and key technical decisions.

Understanding the Full Implementation Timeline

The most common question we hear from product teams is: "How long will this actually take?"

The answer depends on your scope, team capacity, and existing architecture, but we can give you realistic ranges based on hundreds of integrations.

Three Implementation Paths: Choose Your Approach

Before diving into timelines, you need to decide which implementation path matches your goals. We offer three distinct approaches, each with different timelines, customization levels, and development requirements:

Path 1: Starter Kits (Default UIs)

What it is: Pre-built UI components that work out of the box with minimal configuration.

Timeline: 1-3 days to integrate and launch

Customization Level: Minimal (basic theming, brand colors, fonts)

Best For:

  • Fast launch and MVP validation
  • Standard use cases without unique UX requirements
  • Teams wanting to test editing features quickly
  • Products where default UI meets user needs

Development Effort: Minimal — install SDK, configure basic settings, connect to your auth and storage systems

Path 2: Customization & Full White-Labeling

What it is: Customize the UI, branding, features, and workflows to match your product experience precisely.

Timeline: 1-2 weeks for full customization

Customization Level: High (custom layouts, feature selection, brand integration, workflow modifications)

Best For:

  • Branded experience that feels native to your product
  • Specific workflows tailored to your users
  • Products requiring tight design system integration
  • Use cases needing selective feature sets

Development Effort: Moderate — customize UI components, configure feature sets, integrate with design system, test across devices

Path 3: Headless Implementation

What it is: Use IMG.LY's powerful engine with completely custom UI built from scratch or for programmatic content generation.

Timeline: 2-4 weeks for full implementation

Customization Level: Complete control (build your own UI from scratch, or use headless for automation)

Best For:

  • Unique UX requirements that can't be met with pre-built components
  • Highly specialized workflows (design automation, batch processing)
  • Programmatic content generation without UI
  • Marketing automation and server-side rendering

Development Effort: Higher — build custom UI, integrate engine APIs, handle all user interactions, implement workflows, optimize performance

Comparing Implementation Paths

Here's how these three approaches stack up across key dimensions:

Dimension Starter Kits Customization & White-Label Headless Implementation
Timeline 1-3 days 1-2 weeks 2-4 weeks
Customization Level Minimal (theming only) High (full branding control) Complete (build anything)
Development Effort Minimal Moderate Higher
Use Cases MVP, fast validation, standard editing Branded product integration, specific workflows Unique UX, automation, programmatic generation
Team Size 1 developer 1-2 developers + designer 2-3 developers
UI Control Pre-built components Customize existing components Build from scratch
Feature Control All features enabled Select and configure features Full programmatic control
Best For Speed and simplicity Brand consistency Ultimate flexibility

Most teams start with Path 2 (Customization & White-Label) because it balances speed with brand control. You get fast integration while maintaining a native look and feel.

However, if you need to launch in days, choose Path 1 (Starter Kits). If you have unique UX requirements or need programmatic editing for automation, choose Path 3 (Headless).

Need help deciding? Contact our team to discuss which path fits your use case. We can review your requirements and recommend the right approach.

What "Days to Integrate" Actually Means

We often say our SDKs integrate in "days, not months." That's true — but context matters.

Logan Welbaum, Founder at Plai, experienced this firsthand: "Fast to launch, that's the biggest thing. Building this ourselves would've taken months. With IMG.LY, it was live in a month and now drives thousands of ad campaigns."

Here's what that timeline includes for a standard customization implementation (Path 2):

  • Basic integration with default UI: 2-5 days for a skilled developer to get core editing features working in your app
  • Customization and branding: 1-2 weeks to match your design system, configure features, and adjust UX flows
  • Testing and refinement: 1-2 weeks for QA, performance optimization, and edge case handling
  • Production readiness: Additional time for infrastructure setup, monitoring, and deployment workflows

Rob Driscoll, Principal Product Manager at Optimizely, confirmed the speed: "Yeah, so I think it was one of the quickest projects we've worked on. Our engineers found the documentation super helpful, and anytime they needed support, they got the answers quickly. It was a super smooth process for us, and not all of our processes are super smooth."

The technical integration really is fast. But launching a feature involves more than writing code — it requires planning, design alignment, internal coordination, and thoughtful rollout strategy.

Getting Help During Implementation

You're not alone during implementation. We provide comprehensive support throughout your integration journey:

Proof of Concept (POC) Assistance:

  • Technical guidance during trial and evaluation phases
  • Architecture review for your specific use case
  • Help validating integration approach before committing
  • Sample code and implementation best practices

Integration Support:

  • Access to comprehensive documentation for all platforms
  • Direct support from our technical team when you encounter blockers
  • Code review assistance for complex implementations
  • Performance optimization guidance

Onboarding & Customer Success:

  • Dedicated onboarding for enterprise customers
  • Regular check-ins during implementation phases
  • Best practice recommendations based on hundreds of integrations
  • Access to case studies and reference implementations

When to Reach Out:

  • During evaluation to discuss implementation approach
  • When planning architecture and integration strategy
  • If you encounter technical blockers or unexpected issues
  • For performance optimization and customization guidance
  • When you need examples of similar implementations

Thomas Witt, Head of Product & Founding Partner at Infopark, highlighted the quality of support: "Our developers loved that the integration was really straightforward and that everything you need like APIs and documentation is easy to find and of excellent quality."

Customers consistently report positive support experiences. As one G2 reviewer noted: "Performance has been reliable in production, and their customer success team is consistently fast to respond and very supportive during implementation."

Don't hesitate to contact our team early in your implementation. Early engagement leads to smoother integrations and faster time to production.

The Four Phases of Implementation

Most successful IMG.LY implementations follow a similar pattern. Here's how to think about your timeline based on your chosen implementation path:

Timeline by Implementation Path

Phase Starter Kits (Path 1) Customization & White-Label (Path 2) Headless Implementation (Path 3) Who's Involved
1. Evaluation & Planning 1-2 days 1-2 weeks 1-2 weeks Product Manager, Engineering Lead, Design Lead, Key Stakeholders
2. Core Integration 1-2 days 1-2 weeks 2-3 weeks 1-2 Engineers (depending on platforms)
3. Customization & UX Minimal (hours) 2-4 weeks 3-5 weeks Engineers, Designers, QA Team
4. Testing & Launch 1 day 2-3 weeks 2-3 weeks Full Product Team
Total Timeline 1-3 days 6-11 weeks 8-13 weeks Varies by phase

Key Activities by Phase:

Phase 1: Evaluation & Planning

  • Review documentation and platform-specific guides
  • Technical architecture design
  • Scope definition and stakeholder alignment
  • Set up development environment

Phase 2: Core Integration

  • SDK setup and configuration
  • Basic implementation in your app
  • Authentication flow integration
  • Asset handling and storage setup

Phase 3: Customization & UX

  • UI customization (minimal for Path 1, extensive for Path 2-3)
  • Feature configuration
  • Design system alignment
  • UX testing and refinement

Phase 4: Testing & Launch

  • QA testing and performance optimization
  • Beta rollout and feedback collection
  • Monitoring setup
  • Production launch

Your actual timeline depends on your implementation path, team capacity, and customization requirements. Path 1 (Starter Kits) gets you live in days with minimal configuration. Path 2 (Customization) balances speed with brand control. Path 3 (Headless) provides ultimate flexibility for unique requirements.

Technical Evaluation and Architecture Decisions

Before you start integrating, you need to make architectural decisions that affect everything downstream. Taking time upfront to think through these choices prevents painful mid-project pivots.

Key Technical Questions to Answer

Work through these questions with your engineering lead before writing code:

Platform Scope:

  • Which platforms do we need to support? (iOS, Android, Web, Desktop, Server-Side)
  • Are we launching all platforms simultaneously or sequentially?
  • Do we need cross-platform feature parity, or can capabilities differ?
  • What's our minimum supported OS/browser version?

Integration Approach:

  • Will we use the default UI or build custom interfaces?
  • Do we need headless capabilities for programmatic editing?
  • Should we start with basic features or implement comprehensive editing immediately?
  • How will editing fit into our existing user flows?

Authentication & User Management:

  • How do users authenticate into the editor?
  • Do we need to pass user identity to track individual creations?
  • Are there permission levels for different user roles?
  • How do we handle sessions and token management?

Asset Management:

  • Where do user-generated assets get stored? (Our storage, your storage, cloud provider)
  • How do users access existing assets from within the editor?
  • What's our strategy for templates, fonts, stickers, and other creative assets?
  • Do we need to connect to existing DAM (Digital Asset Management) systems?

Export & Output:

  • What export formats do users need? (PNG, JPG, PDF, SVG, video formats)
  • Where do exported creations go? (Download, save to cloud, post to platform)
  • Do we need server-side rendering for automated workflows?
  • Are there specific quality or compression requirements?

Customization Depth:

  • How closely should the editor match our existing design system?
  • What level of branding customization do we need?
  • Which editing features should be enabled/disabled?
  • Do we need custom plugins or extensions?

Customization depth varies by use case. Print-on-demand platforms need hundreds of templates with locked brand elements. Social media apps need real-time filters and effects. Marketing tools need automation-ready templates.

One G2 reviewer noted they achieved "a stable, flexible editor engine that fits cleanly into our desktop product" with full UI customization and brand rule enforcement capabilities.

Note: The three implementation paths covered earlier (Starter Kits, Customization & White-Label, and Headless) correspond to different SDK approaches. For a detailed comparison of SDK vs. white-label architectures, see SDK vs White Label: Key Differences to Consider.

Performance and Scalability Planning

Understanding performance requirements upfront prevents unpleasant surprises after launch.

Expected Usage Volume:

  • How many users will access editing features?
  • What's the expected creation volume per month?
  • Are there usage spikes we need to handle (seasonal, campaign-driven)?
  • Will usage grow significantly over the next 12-24 months?

IMG.LY processes 500 million+ creations per month across hundreds of customers. Our technology is battle-tested at massive scale — but your infrastructure and architecture still matter.

Device and Platform Targets:

  • What's the minimum device spec we need to support?
  • Are we targeting mobile, desktop, or both?
  • What's our browser support matrix for web implementations?
  • Do we need offline editing capabilities?

Rendering and Export Performance:

  • How fast do exports need to complete?
  • Are there file size constraints for exported assets?
  • Do we need real-time previews during editing?
  • What's acceptable latency for asset loading?

Toby Green, Lead Developer at Elbi, highlighted the quality: "Our app has photo-editing at the very core of its experience and the editor has been invaluable in making that vision happen. There are no other tools on the market up to the quality of IMG.LY's SDK."

Implementation by Use Case

Different industries and use cases have different implementation priorities, timelines, and feature requirements. Here's how to tailor your approach based on common use cases:

Social Media Platforms & UGC Apps

Use Case: Apps where users create, edit, and share photo and video content — think social platforms, content creator tools, and community apps.

Learn More: Explore IMG.LY for Social Media platforms to see how editing capabilities drive engagement and retention.

Features to Prioritize:

  • Photo and video editing with intuitive mobile-first UX
  • Filters, effects, and creative overlays
  • Text and sticker tools for self-expression
  • Template systems for trending content formats
  • Quick export and sharing workflows
  • Real-time preview and performance on mobile devices

Recommended Implementation Path: Path 2 (Customization & White-Label) — users need editing to feel native to your app's existing experience, not like a bolted-on third-party tool.

Typical Timeline: 6-8 weeks from kickoff to production launch

Technical Considerations:

  • Mobile performance optimization is critical (iOS and Android)
  • Asset storage and CDN for user-generated content
  • Authentication integration with existing user accounts
  • Social sharing integration (export to Instagram, TikTok, etc.)

Real Customer Example:

For social media apps, the combination of video editing, filters, effects, and templates enables users to create professional-quality content without leaving your platform — a key driver of engagement and retention.

Use Case: E-commerce personalization, print-on-demand services, postcards, photobooks, business cards, and custom merchandise platforms.

Try the Demo: Explore the Product Editor Demo to experience template-based design, high-resolution export, and print-ready output.

Features to Prioritize:

  • Design templates for print products
  • High-resolution export and print-ready output (CMYK, bleed, crop marks)
  • PDF export with proper specifications
  • Text customization and font management
  • Image upload and placement controls
  • Preview with print dimensions and safe zones

Recommended Implementation Path: Path 2 (Customization & White-Label) for customer-facing editing, or Path 3 (Headless) for automated template rendering at scale.

Typical Timeline: 6-10 weeks for customer-facing editors, 8-12 weeks for headless automation

Technical Considerations:

  • Print-quality export settings (300 DPI, CMYK color profiles)
  • Template management and versioning
  • Integration with print fulfillment systems
  • Server-side rendering for order processing
  • Proofing and approval workflows

Real Customer Examples:

Swiss Post serves customers creating over 1 million personalized postcards each year using IMG.LY's SDK. Jeanine Zaalberg, Product Manager, explained: "It's the only solution that allows us to build our own specialized, on-brand UI that integrates seamlessly with our platform." They chose hundreds of templates customized through a fully branded interface.

Postbuddy enables physical postcard creation with personalized designs, bridging digital editing with tangible print products.

Marketing Tech & Automation

Use Case: Ad generation platforms, content automation tools, template-based marketing systems, and programmatic creative workflows.

Try the Demos: Explore all CE.SDK demos to see headless rendering, template systems, and programmatic content generation capabilities.

Features to Prioritize:

  • Headless rendering for programmatic content generation
  • Template systems with variable data integration
  • Batch processing capabilities
  • API-driven editing and export
  • Server-side rendering at scale
  • Integration with marketing automation platforms

Recommended Implementation Path: Path 3 (Headless Implementation) — automation and programmatic generation is the core requirement here.

Typical Timeline: 8-12 weeks for full automation workflows

Technical Considerations:

  • Server-side rendering infrastructure (Node.js SDK)
  • Template management and variable data systems
  • API integration with marketing platforms
  • Queue systems for batch processing
  • Performance optimization for high-volume rendering

Real Customer Examples:

Digitas built a centralized campaign portal enabling 600+ car dealers across 9-10 automotive brands to independently generate brand-compliant marketing assets in German, French, and Italian. The results: 140 active campaigns, thousands of assets automatically generated in three languages, and campaign adaptation time reduced from days to seconds. Martin Röhr, Senior Project Manager, explained their goals: "The wish was they could create assets themselves with minimum manual work to automate processes for all brands." On choosing CE.SDK: "We did the checklist of what we need, what you can do, and everything matched."

Omneky uses IMG.LY for AI-powered ad generation at scale, achieving a 10x increase in new signups month-over-month after launching their IMG.LY-powered editing features.

Plai enables users to create ad campaigns with automated design tools, saving customers $1,000-$10,000 per month in design costs through self-service ad creation.

Optimizely integrated IMG.LY to give their 1,000+ customers template-based creation capabilities, helping them close deals faster and improve customer retention.

Halio.ai automates content creation at remarkable scale — 30 days of social media content created in 30 minutes — through IMG.LY's headless rendering capabilities.

ImageBank X measured remarkable productivity improvements — 87% reduction in slide preparation time from 15 minutes to 2 minutes. Their integration demonstrates how powerful editing capabilities can transform content workflows.

Choosing Your Implementation Approach by Use Case

Use Case Recommended Path Typical Timeline Key Features Integration Complexity
Social Media & UGC Path 2 (Customization) 6-8 weeks Mobile editing, filters, effects, sharing Moderate
Print & Web-to-Print Path 2 (Customization) or Path 3 (Headless) 6-12 weeks Templates, high-res export, print specs Moderate to High
Marketing Tech & Automation Path 3 (Headless) 8-12 weeks API-driven, batch processing, automation High
Photo Editing Apps Path 2 (Customization) 6-8 weeks Advanced editing tools, mobile performance Moderate
Design Tools & SaaS Path 2 (Customization) 6-10 weeks Templates, collaboration, export options Moderate to High
E-commerce Personalization Path 2 (Customization) 6-10 weeks Product templates, customization, preview Moderate

Not sure which path fits your use case? Contact our team to discuss your requirements. We can share examples from similar implementations and recommend the best approach for your needs.

Resources & Budget Planning

With your implementation plan in place, you need to allocate the right resources and budget accurately. This section covers team structure, engineering time estimates, complete cost analysis, and documentation resources.

Estimating Engineering Time

Knowing how much engineering time to budget is critical for realistic planning. Here's how to estimate based on your implementation path:

Path 1: Starter Kits (Default UI):

  • Total Time: 8-24 hours (1-3 days for one engineer)
  • Breakdown: SDK setup (4h), basic integration (8h), authentication (4h), asset handling (4h), basic testing (4h)
  • Best For: MVPs, fast validation, standard use cases with minimal customization
  • Team Size: 1 developer
  • Timeline: 1-3 days

Path 2: Customization & White-Label:

  • Total Time: 120-200 hours (3-5 weeks for one engineer)
  • Breakdown: SDK setup (8h), core integration (16h), authentication (8h), asset handling (8h), UI customization (40h), feature configuration (24h), design system integration (24h), comprehensive testing (24h), documentation (8h)
  • Best For: Most production implementations with branding requirements
  • Team Size: 1-2 developers + designer
  • Timeline: 1-2 weeks

Path 3: Headless Implementation:

  • Total Time: 240-400 hours (6-10 weeks for 1-2 engineers)
  • Breakdown: SDK setup (16h), headless integration (40h), custom UI development (80h), API integration (40h), automation workflows (40h), complex feature work (40h), integration with existing systems (40h), extensive testing (40h), documentation (16h)
  • Best For: Highly customized experiences, design automation, programmatic workflows
  • Team Size: 2-3 developers (backend + frontend if building UI)
  • Timeline: 2-4 weeks

Multi-Platform Integration (iOS + Android + Web):

  • Multiply by platforms: Budget separately for each platform, as code doesn't directly transfer
  • Coordination overhead: Add 20-30% for cross-platform consistency, shared design decisions, and QA coordination
  • Sequential vs. Parallel: Launching sequentially reduces team size but extends timeline; launching in parallel requires more engineers but ships faster

Example Multi-Platform Estimates:

Scenario: Mobile app (iOS + Android) with moderate customization (Path 2)

  • iOS implementation: 120-160 hours (3-4 weeks)
  • Android implementation: 120-160 hours (3-4 weeks)
  • Coordination overhead: 48-64 hours (20% of total)
  • Total: 288-384 hours (7-10 weeks for 2 engineers working in parallel)

Stefano Fornari, CTO and Co-Founder at Funambol, highlighted the efficiency: "From a developer's perspective, the most powerful feature of the photo editor is the integration process. It was completely flawless, quick, and easy to integrate."

Managing Costs and Budget Planning

Understanding the full cost picture helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises.

Understanding IMG.LY Pricing

IMG.LY pricing is based on usage and feature requirements, not engineering time or maintenance overhead. Your costs depend on:

  • Creation volume: How many edited assets are generated per month
  • Platform scope: iOS, Android, Web, Desktop, Server-Side
  • Feature set: Basic editing, advanced tools, AI capabilities, video editing
  • Support level: Standard support vs. enterprise SLAs
  • Customization needs: Standard SDK vs. custom development

To get accurate pricing for your use case, contact our team with details about your expected usage, platform requirements, and feature needs.

Budgeting for Your Implementation:

Beyond the SDK subscription, budget for:

  • Integration Engineering Time: $30,000-$100,000 (1-2 engineers for 6-11 weeks depending on customization level)
  • Design & QA: $20,000-$50,000 for customization, testing, and quality assurance
  • Ongoing Costs: SDK subscription includes all platform updates, bug fixes, new features, and support

Note: IMG.LY's SDK subscription model means no unexpected costs for maintenance, platform updates, or feature development — these are all included. You budget once for integration, then ongoing costs are predictable and subscription-based.

Documentation & Resources

Having access to the right documentation at the right time accelerates your implementation. Here's your comprehensive guide to IMG.LY's documentation resources:

Platform-Specific Documentation

Mobile Platforms:

Web Platforms:

Desktop Platforms:

Server-Side & Headless:

Getting Started Guides

Each platform documentation includes comprehensive getting started guides covering:

  • Installation and setup
  • Basic integration steps
  • Authentication configuration
  • Asset management setup
  • Customization options
  • Export and output configuration
  • Performance optimization tips
  • Common troubleshooting

Start here: IMG.LY Documentation Hub — Browse all platforms and choose your tech stack.

Additional Resources

Release Notes & Updates:

Interactive Demos:

Case Studies & Inspiration:

  • Customer Case Studies — Real implementation examples with metrics and outcomes
  • Browse implementations by use case: Social Media, Print, MarTech, E-commerce, and more

Support & Community:

Risk Management & Readiness

Before you begin implementation, it's critical to identify potential risks and validate you're truly ready to start. This section helps you anticipate issues and prepare accordingly.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Every implementation has risks. Identifying them upfront and planning mitigation strategies prevents surprises.

Common Implementation Risks

Technical Integration Complexity:

  • Risk: SDK doesn't integrate cleanly with existing architecture
  • Mitigation: Review documentation thoroughly during evaluation; engage IMG.LY support early; prototype integration in proof-of-concept before full commitment
  • Likelihood: Low (straightforward integration is our most common customer feedback)

Timeline Delays:

  • Risk: Integration takes longer than estimated, delaying launch
  • Mitigation: Add 20-30% buffer to timeline estimates; clearly define scope upfront; avoid mid-project scope creep; dedicate focused engineering resources
  • Likelihood: Moderate (common in software projects generally)

Performance Issues:

  • Risk: Editor performs poorly on target devices or browsers
  • Mitigation: Test on minimum-spec devices early; optimize asset sizes; configure features appropriately; work with IMG.LY on performance tuning
  • Likelihood: Low (battle-tested performance at scale)

User Adoption:

  • Risk: Users don't engage with editing features as expected
  • Mitigation: Conduct user research before building; beta test with real users; iterate based on feedback; invest in onboarding and discoverability
  • Likelihood: Moderate (depends on product-market fit and UX)

Customization Limitations:

  • Risk: Can't achieve desired customization level
  • Mitigation: Review customization documentation during evaluation; prototype challenging UI elements early; engage IMG.LY for custom development if needed
  • Likelihood: Low (highly flexible architecture)

Vendor Dependency:

  • Risk: Relying on third-party creates risk if vendor changes strategy or discontinues product
  • Mitigation: Evaluate IMG.LY's market position and customer base (500M+ creations monthly, hundreds of customers); review contract terms; consider architecture that could support alternative solutions if needed in extreme scenarios
  • Likelihood: Low (established company with strong customer base)

Security and Compliance:

  • Risk: SDK doesn't meet security or compliance requirements
  • Mitigation: Review IMG.LY's security documentation and certifications during evaluation; conduct security review; work with IMG.LY on specific compliance needs
  • Likelihood: Low (enterprise-grade security and compliance)

Getting Help During Your Implementation

You're never alone during your IMG.LY integration. Here's how to access support at every stage:

During POC & Evaluation:

  • Start a free trial with full access to SDK and documentation
  • Contact our team for architecture discussions and use case guidance
  • Access sample implementations and reference code
  • Get proof-of-concept assistance from our technical team

During Active Development:

  • Technical support for integration issues and blockers
  • Code review assistance for complex implementations
  • Performance optimization guidance
  • Platform-specific troubleshooting help

For Enterprise Customers:

  • Dedicated customer success manager
  • Regular implementation check-ins
  • Priority support with SLAs
  • Custom integration assistance

How to Get Help:

Don't hesitate to reach out early — the smoothest implementations are the ones where teams engage with us proactively.

Getting Started with Your Implementation

You've evaluated the costs, secured buy-in, planned your timeline, and validated readiness. Now it's time to move from planning to execution.

Immediate Next Steps

1. Explore Interactive Demos
Before diving into code, explore our interactive demos to see IMG.LY's capabilities in action. Try the editor yourself, test different features, and evaluate if it matches your use case.

2. Start Your Free Trial
Sign up for a 30-day free trial to get hands-on access to the SDK. Your engineering team can start exploring documentation, testing integration approaches, and prototyping in your actual development environment.

3. Review Documentation Thoroughly
Point your engineering lead and implementation developers to IMG.LY's documentation. The time invested in reading docs upfront saves hours of troubleshooting during implementation.

4. Schedule Kickoff with IMG.LY
Contact our team to schedule an implementation kickoff. We'll review your architecture, answer technical questions, provide integration best practices, and establish a support relationship that ensures your success.

5. Build Your Proof of Concept
Before committing to full implementation, build a quick proof of concept that validates your integration approach. Test the riskiest parts first — authentication, asset handling, performance on minimum-spec devices.

6. Define Your First Milestone
Break your implementation into concrete milestones with clear deliverables. Start small — get basic editing working first, then iterate toward your full vision. Shipping incrementally reduces risk and accelerates learning.

What Success Looks Like

As you plan your implementation, keep the end goal in mind. Successful IMG.LY implementations typically achieve:

Fast Time to Market:

  • Launch editing features in 6-11 weeks instead of 6-12+ months
  • Validate with real users quickly
  • Iterate based on feedback without rebuilding infrastructure

High User Satisfaction:

  • Professional-quality editing tools that users love
  • Intuitive UX that requires minimal onboarding
  • Performance that meets expectations across devices

Martin Röhr, Senior Project Manager at Digitas Germany, experienced this firsthand: "In all meetings, we had no negative feedback—absolutely nothing. Dealers are downloading, managers are happy, and we're already planning the next automation features."

Business Impact:

  • Measurable improvements in user engagement, retention, or revenue
  • Competitive parity or advantage in creative capabilities
  • Customer success stories and positive feedback

Team Focus:

  • Engineering resources freed to work on core differentiation
  • No ongoing maintenance burden
  • Continuous access to new features and improvements

Technical Quality:

  • Clean integration with existing product architecture
  • Stable, reliable performance at scale
  • Well-documented codebase for future maintenance

Halio.ai achieved remarkable efficiency: 30 days of social media content created in 30 minutes. That's the kind of transformative outcome that makes the implementation effort worthwhile.

Conclusion: From Planning to Production

Planning your IMG.LY implementation isn't about creating the perfect plan — it's about reducing risk, aligning stakeholders, and setting your team up for efficient execution.

The product teams that implement most successfully are the ones that:

  • Evaluate realistically: They understand the 6-11 week timeline, the resource requirements, and the architectural decisions needed
  • Secure internal buy-in early: They get budget approval and stakeholder alignment before starting
  • Plan thoughtfully: They define scope, allocate resources, identify risks, and validate readiness before starting
  • Execute pragmatically: They start small, iterate quickly, leverage support, and ship incrementally
  • Focus on outcomes: They measure success by user satisfaction and business impact, not just technical completion

Martin Röhr, Senior Project Manager at Digitas Germany, reflected on their build vs. buy decision: "We shipped a much better product than initially planned. Building something like this ourselves would have taken years or ten times the budget."

Hikari Senju from Omneky summed it up: "The partnership with IMG.LY lets us focus on building the best AI, the best data-driven engine, the best advertising integrations, and the best ad generation. And then we can sleep easily that the image editing and video editing portions of the platform are well taken care of and well supported on the IMG.LY side. It's a partnership that we continue to be excited about growing and scaling."

That's what good implementation planning enables: the confidence to move fast, the clarity to execute efficiently, and the focus to build what actually differentiates your product.

Start your free 30-day trial and see how quickly you can integrate professional editing into your product. Or talk to our team to discuss your specific implementation needs and get guidance tailored to your architecture.

Your users need editing features that just work. Your team needs to focus on what makes your product unique. Your business needs to ship faster than competitors.

IMG.LY gives you all three. Now you have the framework to plan an implementation that delivers on that promise.