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Chapter 4: How to apply image templates during the ad setup

Updated over 2 weeks ago

In ROI Hunter you can apply image templates to your ads in 2 ways:

  1. You can quickly apply a template to one or a multiple ads at once using Creative Factory - ideal for fast, bulk execution when you already know which designs you want to use.

  2. You can create a new ad or edit an existing one and choose templates directly during ad setup. 👇

Applying templates during ad setup

This article focuses on the second option - the setup you encounter when creating or editing an ad.

It gives you more flexibility and control, especially over how images are handled across different formats. This setup works similarly to Meta Ads Manager and provides direct control over the Image Touch Ups / Adapt to placement settings.


Default image behavior for new ads

When you create a new ad in ROI Hunter:

  • Image Touch Ups / Adapt to placement are turned OFF

  • No templates are selected for any format (1:1, 4:5, or 9:16)

In this default state:

  • All placements use the main product image from your catalog

  • If a placement uses a different aspect ratio, the image is placed on a plain white background - no cropping, zooming, or AI-based expansion is applied

This means your ad is shown exactly as it exists in your product feed, without any visual adjustments.

IMPORTANT: In case you create your Ad in Ads Manager, Image Touch Ups and other A+ features might be automatically enabled.


How images behave based on slot settings

When creating or editing an ad, image templates are managed through three separate slots, one for each aspect ratio (1:1, 4:5, or 9:16).

Each slot can behave differently depending on:

  • Whether a template is selected

  • Whether the slot is turned ON or OFF

  • How Image Touch Ups / Adapt to placement are configured

The sections below explain exactly what happens in each case. 👇

1. A template is selected

When you select a template for a specific slot (for example, a 9:16 template in the 9:16 slot):

  • We tell Meta to use that template for all placements that use this ratio.

  • Image Touch Ups / Adapt to placement settings are ignored

  • Meta does not crop, zoom, or adapt the image in any way

What this means in practice:

The selected template becomes the single source of truth for that format.

This is the most predictable and controlled setup.

2. No template selected and the slot is OFF

When a slot has no template selected and is turned OFF:

  • Meta reuses the 1:1 creative

  • The image is placed on a plain white background to fill the space

  • No cropping, zooming, or expansion is applied

If there is also no template selected in the 1:1 slot:

  • The main product image from your catalog is used instead

What this means in practice:

That format simply reuses the square creative without any visual adaptation.

3. No template selected and the slot is ON

When a slot has no template selected but is turned ON, Meta automatically adapts images. This behavior depends on the specific slot.

1:1 slot ON (no template)

  • Uses the main product image from your catalog

  • No adaptation is applied

4:5 slot ON (no template)

  • Uses the creative from the 1:1 slot

  • Meta adapts it to 4:5 using the selected Adapt to placement option: Crop, Zoom, Expand, Auto

9:16 slot ON (no template)

  • Meta first looks for a catalog image that already matches the 9:16 ratio

  • If none is available: the 1:1 creative is adapted to 9:16 using the selected Adapt to placement option

Because this can involve heavy cropping or AI-based expansion, the visual result may vary significantly. Use this option with care.


Why this advanced setup exists

When you create a new ad or edit an existing one, you get access to advanced setup and more control than with bulk apply.

It allows you to:

  • Decide exactly which formats use fixed templates

  • Choose where Meta is allowed to adapt images

  • Replicate behaviors you may already know from Meta Ads Manager

  • Fine-tune creatives for a specific ad, not just at scale

This setup is optional. If you prefer a simpler workflow:

  • Apply templates to the formats you care about

  • Leave the remaining slots OFF

Your ads will then behave the same way as when using the bulk apply flow in Creative Factory.


Quick guidance: Which setup should I use?

  • Use bulk apply if you want to apply templates to many ads quickly, with minimal decisions

  • If you want more control over how your creatives behave, create or edit an ad to access the advanced setup.

  • Select templates for all slots if you want maximum visual consistency

  • Turn slots ON without templates only if you are comfortable letting Meta adapt images.

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