How We Make Mockups at Marlo Studios
Creating high-quality mockups that designers actually want to use isn't as simple as snapping a few photos and calling it a day.
At Marlo Studios, our mockups have a signature style that's cute, bold, and colorful. This style mimics the way we design brands, which naturally appeals to brand designers who share our aesthetic vision.
In this article, you'll discover the 7 steps we take to create mockups and explore what mockups we currently have available for purchase.
Our 7-Step Mockup Creation Process
1—Project Proposal and Theme Selection
Every great mockup starts with a solid idea. We begin by creating a project proposal that outlines our vision and goals.
Next, we decide on a collection name and theme. We typically focus on generic products that designers use most often, like books, posters, iPhones, menus, and cereal boxes.
These everyday items give your designs the real-world context they need to shine.
2—Studio Space Rental and Location Scouting
Finding the right space is everything. We scout locations and rent studios that align perfectly with our vision for each mockup collection.
The space needs to feel authentic and support the story we want to tell. Whether we need natural light, textured backgrounds, or specific props, the location sets the foundation for realistic mockups that don't look staged.
3—Photographer Selection
Not every photographer understands our brand aesthetic. We carefully choose photographers whose style complements our cute, bold, and colorful approach.
The right photographer knows how to capture the energy we want while maintaining the technical quality designers expect from professional mockups.
4—Prop Planning and Preparation
Props make mockups feel real and relatable. We plan every detail, from the smallest decorative elements to larger scene-setting pieces.
Sometimes this means transporting specific props from Japan to the UK to get exactly the right look. The extra effort shows in the final product when your designs feel naturally integrated into the scene.
5—Photography Shoot
This is where everything comes together. We work with our chosen photographer to set up various scenes and compositions.
On a typical day shooting, we take over 100 photos to create around 10 final mockups.
We shoot at specific apertures to keep focus on the mockup area while creating beautiful background blur that doesn't compete with your design.
6—Professional Mockup Designer Editing
Raw photos need professional editing to become usable mockups. We work with skilled mockup designers who edit the photos and create PSD files.
The editing process focuses on making mockups easy for designers to use. You should be able to drop in your designs quickly without fighting with complex layer structures.
7—Publishing to Marlo's Market
Once our mockups pass quality control, we publish them to Marlo's Market where designers can purchase and download them instantly.
This entire 7-step process takes about one month from concept to completion, but we believe it is totally worth it to create quality mockups that you love.
Mockup Collections We've Created
The Matcha Edit Bundle is a complete set of mockups perfect for building matcha brands. You'll find 9 matcha tin mockups plus 1 bonus menu mockup.
Each matcha mockup includes both small label and full-width label options. This gives you versatile choices for different tin design approaches without needing separate mockup purchases.
The Menu Edit Bundle contains 4 mockups designed specifically for showcasing café, restaurant, or brand menus.
These menu mockups work equally well for casual coffee corners and upscale tasting menus. Your menu designs will shine in real-life settings that feel warm and intentional rather than sterile or artificial.
The Taste Test Bundle includes 7 mockups with food-inspired designs you can spread, toast, carve, and sip.
These food mockups are perfect for designers working on food and beverage brands who need mockups that capture the sensory appeal of their products.
Our Print 01 and Print 02 mockups work beautifully for brands, artists, and typography lovers. These mockups let your work take center stage without distracting elements.
The Book 01 mockup shows both front and back covers because sometimes the back design hits harder than the front. This mockup brings editorial projects, portfolios, and brand work to life.
Our iPhone 01 and iPhone 02 mockups give you fresh takes on phone mockups. We couldn't resist making another iPhone mockup, especially in our favorite color green.
The Cereal Box 01 mockup captures cereal boxes that grab attention from the shelf. Perfect for designers who buy products for the packaging and call it design research.
Conclusion
Our month-long process might seem extensive, but it's what creates mockups that designers return to again and again.
Every step from initial concept to final publication focuses on quality and usability. Something AI cannot replicate right now.
Browse our complete collection at Marlo's Market to find mockups that match your design style and project needs.
