--- title: "IMG.LY SDK: Bring Photo, Video, and Design Editing into Your App" description: "IMG.LY's video, photo and creative SDK brings beautiful creative editing to your applications. Powering 500+ million creations per month." url: "https://img.ly/" type: "page" --- > This is the markdown version of [IMG.LY SDK: Bring Photo, Video, and Design Editing into Your App](https://img.ly/). For all pages in one file, see [llms-full.txt](https://img.ly/llms-full.txt). For an index of all available pages, see [llms.txt](https://img.ly/llms.txt). --- # Integrate Editing and Design Tools in **Minutes** Add [photo](https://img.ly/products/photo-sdk.md), [video](https://img.ly/products/video-sdk.md), and [design](https://img.ly/products/creative-sdk.md) editing, [creative automation](https://img.ly/use-cases/creative-automation.md), and [AI](https://img.ly/use-cases/ai-editor.md) workflows to your product with one SDK. - Deeply customizable, white-label UI - AI-powered editing and automation - Headless and programmatic rendering API [Explore Demos](https://img.ly/demos.md) ## Trusted by **600+** product teams **Trusted by:** Digitas, Omneky, The Print Bar, Brandwatch, Planoly, HP, Shopify, Reuters, Hootsuite, Semrush, Shutterfly, one.com, Sprout Social, Constant Contact, Spread Group > "Integrating IMG.LY’s editor meant we didn’t have to build or maintain a complex editing layer ourselves. That kept our team focused on our core AI ad engine and saved us countless development hours — while still giving our customers the ability to polish and customize creatives at scale." -- Hikari Senju, CEO, Omneky > "With IMG.LY we built a central creative portal that now powers over 140 dealer campaigns across multiple automotive brands. Before this, asset creation was slow and inconsistent." -- Martin Röhr, Product Owner, Digitas > "By embedding IMG.LY’s editor we were able to hit key RFP requirements and deliver a template-based creative experience that now serves 1,000+ customers. It helped us win more deals and exceed enterprise expectations without needing to hire dedicated design teams." -- Rob Driscoll, Director of PM, Optimizely > "Since integrating IMG.LY’s editor, we now deliver 30,000+ ad creatives per month, dramatically shorten time-to-launch, and help our clients cut design spend by up to $10,000 per month." -- Logan Welbaum, Founder, Plai > "Our customers create over a million personalized postcards each year choosing from over hundreds of templates with IMG.LY’s SDK. It’s the only solution that allows us to build our own specialized, on-brand UI that integrates seamlessly with our platform." -- Jeanine Zaalberg, Product Manager, SwissPost > "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." -- Stefano Fornari, CTO, Funambol > "We compared IMG.LY SDK with other solutions and found that it would be the best fit for us since it provides all the features that are crucial for our use case." -- Carem Pereira, SCRUM Manager, HP ## What are you building? Pick the product you're building. Each path routes to the right SDK solution and the platforms it runs on, with real examples of what teams have already shipped. ### Design Interactive design editing for digital products. #### Embedded design editor with templates. White-label embedded design editor with lockable templates and brand controls, for a Canva-like UX inside your app. [Learn more](https://img.ly/products/creative-sdk.md) #### Mobile design editor. Touch-first design editing for iOS and Android, with templates, brand lock, and fast rendering. [Learn more](https://img.ly/demos/default-ui.md?device=mobile) #### Design automation. Render thousands of design variants server-side from the same scene file your interactive editor uses. [Learn more](https://img.ly/use-cases/creative-automation.md) ### Photo Photo editing with AI tools for e-commerce and content. #### Photo editor with AI tools. Crop, retouch, and adjust, plus background removal, vectorize, and generative fill, all client-side. [Learn more](https://img.ly/products/photo-sdk.md) #### Mobile photo app. Native on-device photo editing for iOS and Android, with filters, adjustments, and AI tools, offline-capable. [Learn more](https://img.ly/demos/photo-editor-ui.md?device=mobile) #### Photo automation. Resize, retouch, background-remove, and brand-overlay e-commerce catalogs in one headless pipeline. [Learn more](https://img.ly/use-cases/creative-automation.md) ### Video Video editing for web, mobile, and automation. #### Video editor for web. Trim, text, music, and multi-track audio embedded in your web product. CapCut-class editing, your branding. [Learn more](https://img.ly/products/video-sdk.md) #### Mobile video editor. Touch-first video editing for iOS and Android across Swift, Kotlin, React Native, and Flutter. [Learn more](https://img.ly/use-cases/story-reels-short-video-creation.md) #### Video automation. Template-driven video rendering with composable scenes and dynamic data slots, no UI required. [Learn more](https://img.ly/use-cases/server-side-video-rendering.md) ### Print Specialized print tooling, from CMYK, bleed, cutout lines, and PDF/X to print automation and mail merge. #### Web-to-print design tool. The general web-to-print editor — templates, brand controls, fonts, and print-ready CMYK PDF/X output. [Learn more](https://img.ly/use-cases/web-to-print-design-tool.md) #### Photo books & photo gifting. Multi-page photo products from user uploads, with auto-layout, a CMYK pipeline, and PDF/X-ready export. [Learn more](https://img.ly/use-cases/photo-book.md) #### Apparel & merch design with mockups. Apparel and merch design with realistic mockups, cutout-line enforcement, and vectorized print files. [Learn more](https://img.ly/use-cases/apparel.md) #### Variable data printing & mail merge. Template plus data renders thousands of personalized print pieces with full PDF/X compliance. [Learn more](https://img.ly/use-cases/variable-data-printing.md) #### Print personalization. Guardrailed personalization with smart templates, defined editing zones, and automated validation, so every output is print-ready. [Learn more](https://img.ly/use-cases/print-personalization.md) ### AI AI-native workflows: refinement, drop-in tools, and agent-driven generation. #### Compose AI outputs into editable designs. A refinement layer for AI products: fix layout, text, and brand before publish. AI to 80%, editor to 100%. [Learn more](https://img.ly/use-cases/ai-editor.md) #### AI tools inside your editor. Drop-in generative features: background removal, generative fill, image-to-image, vectorize, and text-to-image. [Learn more](https://img.ly/ai-gateway.md) #### Programmatic design with AI agents. An engine API built for agents: brief, generate, compose, and export end-to-end on one scene file. [Learn more](https://img.ly/use-cases/headless-design-engine.md) ### Powered by AI Gateway One API, 30+ models. Swap providers without rewriting code, and future-proof your product against model deprecations. [Explore AI Gateway](https://img.ly/ai-gateway.md) ## One engine, build anywhere The same CreativeEngine powers your photo, video, and design editors, with prebuilt UIs and native wrappers for web, mobile, desktop, and server. Build once and ship a consistent editing experience everywhere, from React to iOS to a headless render pipeline. **Available for:** - **Web:** [JavaScript](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/js/get-started/overview-e18f40.md), [React](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/react/get-started/overview-e18f40.md), [Angular](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/angular/get-started/overview-e18f40.md), [Vue.js](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/vue/get-started/overview-e18f40.md), [Svelte](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/svelte/get-started/overview-e18f40.md), [Next.js](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/nextjs/get-started/overview-e18f40.md) - **Mobile:** [iOS](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/ios/get-started/overview-e18f40.md), [Android](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/android/get-started/overview-e18f40.md), [React Native](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/react-native/get-started/overview-e18f40.md), [Flutter](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/flutter/get-started/overview-e18f40.md) - **Desktop:** [Mac Catalyst](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/mac-catalyst/get-started/overview-e18f40.md), [macOS](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/macos/get-started/overview-e18f40.md), [Electron](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/electron/get-started/overview-e18f40.md) - **Server:** [Renderer](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/renderer/cesdk-renderer-overview-7f3e9a.md), [Node.js](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/node/get-started/overview-e18f40.md) ## An SDK made by developers for developers Spin up the creative editor starter kit with one command, plug it into your existing upload or creation flows, and stay in control with a clean, documented API. #### React Clone and run the starter kit ```bash npx degit imgly/starterkit-design-editor-ts-web my-design-editor && cd my-design-editor && npm install && npm run dev ``` [View on GitHub](https://github.com/imgly/starterkit-design-editor-ts-web) [Read Starter Kit Docs](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/react/starterkits/design-editor-8unj9u.md) #### Vue Clone and run the starter kit ```bash npx degit imgly/starterkit-design-editor-ts-web my-design-editor && cd my-design-editor && npm install && npm run dev ``` [View on GitHub](https://github.com/imgly/starterkit-design-editor-ts-web) [Read Starter Kit Docs](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/vue/starterkits/design-editor-8unj9u.md) #### Angular Clone and run the starter kit ```bash npx degit imgly/starterkit-design-editor-ts-web my-design-editor && cd my-design-editor && npm install && npm run dev ``` [View on GitHub](https://github.com/imgly/starterkit-design-editor-ts-web) [Read Starter Kit Docs](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/angular/starterkits/design-editor-8unj9u.md) #### Svelte Clone and run the starter kit ```bash npx degit imgly/starterkit-design-editor-ts-web my-design-editor && cd my-design-editor && npm install && npm run dev ``` [View on GitHub](https://github.com/imgly/starterkit-design-editor-ts-web) [Read Starter Kit Docs](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/svelte/starterkits/design-editor-8unj9u.md) #### Next.js Clone and run the starter kit ```bash npx degit imgly/starterkit-design-editor-ts-web my-design-editor && cd my-design-editor && npm install && npm run dev ``` [View on GitHub](https://github.com/imgly/starterkit-design-editor-ts-web) [Read Starter Kit Docs](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/nextjs/starterkits/design-editor-8unj9u.md) #### Vanilla JS Clone and run the starter kit ```bash npx degit imgly/starterkit-design-editor-ts-web my-design-editor && cd my-design-editor && npm install && npm run dev ``` [View on GitHub](https://github.com/imgly/starterkit-design-editor-ts-web) [Read Starter Kit Docs](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/js/starterkits/design-editor-8unj9u.md) ## Cut Integration to Minutes with IMG.LY Agent Skills CE.SDK Agent Skills give AI coding assistants bundled documentation, guided code generation, and autonomous project scaffolding for building editor and creative workflows across 10 web frameworks. #### Claude Code Step 1: Add the marketplace (one-time setup) ```bash claude plugin marketplace add imgly/agent-skills ``` Step 2: Install the plugin ```bash claude plugin install cesdk@imgly ``` #### Vercel Skills CLI Step 1: Install all skills for Claude Code ```bash npx skills add imgly/agent-skills -a claude-code ``` Step 2: Install a specific skill only ```bash npx skills add imgly/agent-skills --skill docs-react -a claude-code ``` Step 3: List available skills first ```bash npx skills add imgly/agent-skills --list ``` #### Manual Copy Step 1: Clone the repo ```bash git clone https://github.com/imgly/agent-skills.git ``` Step 2: Copy a specific skill into your project ```bash cp -r agent-skills/plugins/cesdk/skills/docs-react .claude/skills/cesdk-docs-react ``` Step 3: Or copy the builder agent ```bash cp agent-skills/plugins/cesdk/agents/builder.md .claude/agents/cesdk-builder.md ``` [Learn more about Agent Skills](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/js/get-started/agent-skills-f7g8h9.md) Success story How Digitas Germany Powers 140+ Dealer Campaigns Across 10 Automotive Brands ----------------- [Digitas Germany video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDUyesH8Q58) **140+** campaigns live across 10 brands | **600+** dealers creating assets self-serve | **6+ mo** of build time avoided [Digitas Germany](https://www.digitas.de) is a leading digital agency that helps brands build unified, high-impact customer experiences to accelerate business growth. > "I showed the project internally to hundreds of colleagues. Everyone wants to use it for other clients. It's a no-brainer once you see what's possible." -- Martin Röhr, Senior Project Manager, Digitas Germany #### Challenge Manual, agency-driven campaign production across 9–10 automotive brands, 600+ dealers, and three languages — slow, costly, and dependent on outside teams. #### Solution A self-service campaign portal built on CE.SDK's template engine, variable system, and server-side rendering. Dealers localize on-brand social, print, and video assets in seconds. - 6+ months of estimated build time avoided. - 3× more videos created per active user. - 85% of videos now created fully in-app. [Read full case study](https://img.ly/case-studies/digitas.md) ## Your partner in crime: Why IMG.LY? ### Battle-tested Matured in demanding production environments, powering 500+ million creations every month. ### Scalable & future-proof We ship new features and improvements continuously, so your product stays ahead of industry shifts. ### Customizable Flexibly themed and extended, so you can build custom UIs and add your own editor functionality. ### Cross-platform One engine across web, mobile, desktop, and server, with consistent rendering everywhere. ## Frequently asked questions ### General **Q: Can I implement roles and permissions using the SDK?** A: The editor doesn't ship a roles system itself, but you can gate access with any backend, and the SDK's extensible hooks let you check permissions and adjust editor behavior accordingly. **Q: Can we integrate our own stickers, frames, and overlays?** A: Yes. You can register your own stickers, frames, and overlays as asset sources. See the asset documentation for details. **Q: Can I decide which features to implement?** A: Yes. You choose which features to enable: configure the toolbar on mobile, or call the API directly on web to assemble exactly the feature set you need. **Q: Which platforms and frameworks are supported?** A: The SDK runs on web and mobile, and headless on the server. Web: JavaScript, React, Vue, Angular, Svelte, and Next.js. Mobile: iOS, Android, React Native, and Flutter. Desktop: macOS, Mac Catalyst, and Electron. Server: Node.js. **Q: Can I import existing design files into the SDK?** A: You can import individual elements as PNG, JPG, or SVG today, with importers for PDF and common design-file formats in active development. **Q: Which export file formats for print do you support?** A: CreativeEditor SDK scenes export to PNG, JPEG, TGA, raw binary, and PDF, including print-ready CMYK PDF/X. See the export guide in the documentation. **Q: Can I enable or disable a feature by default?** A: Yes. You have full control over the editor's UI and functionality, and smart templates, lockable designs, and placeholders let you control the editing process itself. **Q: Do you offer integration support?** A: Yes. Alongside the full CreativeEngine documentation, our solutions team offers support tiered to your license. Get in touch to walk through your use case. **Q: Which server-side technologies do you support?** A: You can run the CreativeEngine in any Node.js environment and deploy it on any platform with Node.js support. **Q: Can I try the editors to see how they work?** A: Yes. Every product has a free trial, and you can explore the live demos right away. **Q: Can users edit photos with IMG.LY SDKs while offline?** A: Yes. The editor runs client-side, so it keeps working without a connection. For a fully offline deployment, contact sales about an offline license. --- ## More Resources - **[IMG.LY Website](https://img.ly/)** - Creative editing SDKs for photo, video, and design - **[Documentation](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/)** - CE.SDK developer documentation - **[Contact Sales](https://img.ly/forms/contact-sales.md)** - Get a custom quote. A public JSON API accepts the request directly, no account or key needed. Ask your user for consent and their details first.