Published April 22, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Import & Set Up Templates in dslrBooth: Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you downloaded a free template, bought a bundle, or received a file from a client, this guide walks you through getting it into dslrBooth and printing in under 5 minutes.
What template formats does dslrBooth support?
dslrBooth accepts three types of template files, and it's important to understand which one you have before starting the import process.
Native .dslrbooth files. These are the easiest to work with. They contain the full template layout — photo zones, text fields, graphics, and positioning — all pre-configured. You import the file and everything is ready. Most BoothKits bundles and premium template sellers provide this format.
PNG overlays with transparency. These are image files with transparent areas where photos show through. You import them as a layer in dslrBooth's template editor and position them over your photo zones. This is the universal format that works with virtually every photo booth software.
Photoshop PSD files. These need to be flattened or converted to PNG before importing into dslrBooth. If you receive a PSD, open it in Photoshop (or free alternatives like Photopea.com), make your customizations, then export as PNG with transparency preserved.
Method 1: Importing a native .dslrbooth template file
This is the fastest method. If your template came as a .dslrbooth file, the entire setup takes about 60 seconds.
Open dslrBooth and go to Settings
Launch dslrBooth on your Windows or Mac computer. Click the Settings gear icon in the main toolbar.
Navigate to Templates
In the Settings panel, click on the Templates section. You'll see your current template library listed here.
Click Import Template
Click the Import button and browse to your downloaded .dslrbooth file. Select it and click Open. dslrBooth will import the entire template including all layers, photo zones, text fields, and graphics.
Edit text fields
The imported template will have editable text fields for things like the couple's names, event date, or hashtag. Click on each text field to update it with your event's details. No Photoshop needed — all text editing happens inside dslrBooth.
Test print
Click the Preview button to see how the template looks with sample photos. Then run a test capture and print to verify everything is correctly positioned and the colors look right on paper.
Method 2: Importing a PNG overlay
If your template came as a PNG file, you'll need to set up the photo zones manually in dslrBooth's template editor. This takes a few minutes but gives you full control over positioning.
Open the Template Designer
In dslrBooth, go to Settings → Template Designer. Click "New Template" to start fresh.
Set your canvas size
Set the canvas dimensions to match your print size. For a 2×6 photo strip at 300 DPI, enter 600 × 1800 pixels. For a 4×6 postcard, enter 1800 × 1200 pixels (horizontal) or 1200 × 1800 (vertical). See our template sizes guide for all standard dimensions.
Add photo zones
Click "Add Photo Zone" and drag a rectangle onto the canvas where the first photo should appear. Repeat for each photo slot (typically 3 for a 2×6 strip). Size and position each zone to match the transparent cutout areas in your PNG overlay.
Import the PNG overlay
Click "Add Image Layer" and select your PNG overlay file. Position it so it fills the entire canvas. Make sure this layer is above the photo zones in the layer stack — the overlay should sit on top of the photos, with the transparent areas revealing the photos beneath.
Add text fields (optional)
Click "Add Text" to add editable text fields for event details. Position them in blank areas of the template where they won't overlap with photos or key graphics.
Save and test
Save the template with a descriptive name (e.g., "Wedding - Gold Theme - 2x6"). Run a test capture and print to verify alignment.
Setting up animated welcome screens
Welcome screens are the MP4 videos that play on your booth's screen when it's idle. They attract guests and make the booth look polished. dslrBooth supports custom welcome screen videos natively.
Go to Settings → Start Screen
In dslrBooth's settings, find the Start Screen or Attract Screen section.
Select your MP4 file
Click Browse and select the welcome screen MP4 from your template bundle. The video should loop seamlessly — most BoothKits welcome screens are designed to loop without a visible cut.
Set up additional screens
If your bundle includes countdown, processing, and share screens, assign each one to the corresponding screen slot in dslrBooth's settings. The exact setting names vary by dslrBooth version, but look for Countdown Screen, Processing Screen, and Thank You / Share Screen.
Troubleshooting common issues
Template prints are blurry
Your PNG overlay is probably at the wrong resolution. It should be 300 DPI. A 2×6 strip at 300 DPI is 600 × 1800 pixels. If your file is smaller than this, the software is upscaling it and introducing blur. Replace the file with a 300 DPI version.
Photos are cropped or stretched
The photo zones in your template don't match the aspect ratio of your camera's output. Most DSLRs shoot at a 3:2 aspect ratio. Make sure each photo zone uses this same ratio. If your camera is set to 4:3 or 16:9, either change the camera setting or adjust the photo zones to match.
White borders on prints
Your template doesn't have bleed. For borderless prints, the template needs to extend 15 pixels beyond the trim line on each side. See the bleed section in our sizes guide for exact pixel dimensions.
Welcome screen doesn't loop
Check that the video format is MP4 with H.264 encoding. dslrBooth may not loop other codecs smoothly. If the video stutters at the loop point, the MP4 might not be encoded for seamless looping — contact your template provider for a corrected file.
Skip the setup hassle
BoothKits bundles include dslrBooth-ready files. Import, change the event text, and print. 35 themes from $29.
Browse All 35 Themes →Next steps
Now that your template is set up, run a full test session: capture 3-4 photos, print a strip, and verify everything looks perfect. If you're new to photo booth operation, check out our complete guide to starting a photo booth business. Need a template to practice with? Download a free 2×6 strip template and follow this guide to get it running in dslrBooth.