Use Shopify tags and metafields to push cleaner structure from Dropstitch into your Shopify catalog.

Before you start

Make sure Shopify is connected in Connect Dropstitch to Shopify.
Decide which values should behave like fast filters and which should behave like structured product data.
If you plan to map fields such as @vendor, @era, @material, or @size, confirm those fields already exist in Set up Attributes in Dropstitch.
Open Settings > Marketplaces > Shopify > Tags / Metafields.

How it works

Tags and metafields both push Shopify product data, but they solve different jobs.

Feature	Best for	Visible in Shopify admin	Common use cases
Tags	Fast labeling and grouping	Yes	Filters, smart collections, automation triggers
Metafields	Structured product data	Yes	Theme logic, app integrations, custom product data

In Dropstitch:

Tags can be created as default tags, linked to a Dropstitch attribute, or managed manually.
Metafields can either link to an existing Shopify metafield or create a new one from Dropstitch.
The Tags card shows Default Tags and All Tags.
The Metafields card shows current mappings plus Link Existing Metafield and Add Metafield actions.

What each setup path affects:

Use Tags when you want fast storefront grouping and operational labels such as workwear, single-stitch, or Carhartt.
Use Metafields when you want structured values that themes and apps can read reliably, such as era, fit, or material.
If you skip the Shopify tag toggle while creating an Attribute, you can still configure tags later from the Shopify settings page.

How to use it

Go to Settings > Marketplaces > Shopify > Tags / Metafields.
In the Tags card, click + Add Tag.
In the Add tag modal, fill in:

Tag Name
Color
Linked Attribute (optional)
Default Added To Product if the tag should apply broadly

Click Add Tag.
In the Metafields card, choose one path:

Link Existing Metafield if Shopify already has the metafield you want to use
Add Metafield if you want Dropstitch to create a new metafield under the dropstitch namespace

Select the matching Dropstitch attribute for each metafield mapping.
Save the mapping.
Publish or sync a product and verify the tags and metafields inside Shopify.

Visual walkthrough

Use the screenshots to orient yourself in the setup flow. Any markers on the image show where a setting lives. They do not mean every option must be turned on.

1. Predefine Shopify behavior when creating the attribute

You can enable Shopify output directly inside the Add Custom Attribute modal. The boxed area shows where Add as Shopify Product Tag and Add as Shopify Metafield live if you want the attribute to feed Shopify later.

Add Custom Attribute modal showing Shopify tag and metafield toggles

2. Review and manage tag mappings from Shopify settings

In Settings > Marketplaces > Shopify > Tags / Metafields, the Tags card shows linked default tags and any manual tags you keep for Shopify grouping.

Tags settings card showing linked default tags and manual tags

3. Link an existing Shopify metafield to a Dropstitch attribute

If the metafield already exists in Shopify, use Link Existing Metafield.

1 shows where to select the Shopify metafield.
2 shows where to select the matching Dropstitch attribute.

Link Existing Metafield modal with numbered field locations

4. Confirm the metafield mappings are saved

After saving, the Metafields card should show the mapped rows. This is the success state you want before you test a product sync or publish.

Metafields settings card showing saved mappings

Success check

Tags appear in the Shopify product tag field after publish or sync.
Linked attribute tags reflect the expected product values.
Metafields appear in Shopify product custom data with the mapped values.
Shopify filters, collections, themes, or apps can read the values you intended.

Tips

Recommended approach: start with a small default tag set and only a few high-value metafield mappings.
Use Tags for discovery and grouping. Use Metafields for structured data that other Shopify logic depends on.
Keep naming consistent across your attribute values so your tags and metafields stay clean.
Avoid over-tagging. Low-value tags make Shopify harder to manage, not easier.

Advanced settings

You can map the same source attribute to both a tag and a metafield when you need both behaviors.
If Shopify already has a metafield structure in place, prefer Link Existing Metafield to avoid duplicate keys.
Keep metafield naming stable once those fields are connected to theme sections, filters, or third-party apps.

Example setup:

@vendor becomes a tag for collection filtering.
@garment_type becomes a metafield for theme logic.
A vintage workwear item can output Carhartt as a tag and dropstitch.garment_type = chore jacket as a metafield.
This works because the same product row can feed both a fast label layer and a structured data layer at the same time.

Metafield type compatibility

When you link or add a metafield, Dropstitch checks whether the Shopify metafield type is compatible with the Dropstitch attribute type. If the types do not match, the output in Shopify may be garbled or empty.

Each Dropstitch attribute type maps to specific Shopify metafield types. The Recommended column shows the type Dropstitch picks when you use Add Metafield. The Also compatible column lists other Shopify types that work when you use Link Existing Metafield.

Dropstitch type	Recommended Shopify type	Also compatible
String	Single line text	Multi line text
Number	Integer	Decimal, Single line text
Select	Single line text	—
Multi-select	List (single line text)	—
Text array	List (single line text)	Single line text
Number array	List (single line text)	Single line text
Rich text	Multi line text	Single line text
Checkbox	True/false (boolean)	Single line text
Date	Date	Date and time, Single line text
Currency	Money	Decimal, Single line text

Some built-in fields have their own fixed mapping that Dropstitch handles automatically:

Width and Length always map to dimension in Shopify.
Weight always maps to weight.
Price always maps to money.

When you use Add Metafield, Dropstitch picks the best Shopify type automatically. When you use Link Existing Metafield, Dropstitch validates the match and blocks the link if the types are incompatible.

Hover the info icon next to any linked metafield to see the current type mapping and which Shopify types are supported.

Troubleshooting

Tag is missing in Shopify: confirm the tag is defaulted, linked to a populated attribute, or selected where needed before publish.
Linked tag value is wrong: check the product row value first, then confirm the correct Linked Attribute is selected.
Metafield is empty: make sure the mapped Dropstitch attribute actually contains a value on that product.
Metafield not found in Shopify: verify whether you linked the correct existing metafield or created a new one under the dropstitch namespace.
Metafield shows raw JSON or garbled data: the Shopify metafield type does not match the Dropstitch attribute type. For example, a Select attribute linked to a json metafield will output the raw tag object instead of the value. Remove the link, then re-link using a compatible type. See the type compatibility table above.
Link Metafield button is disabled: the selected Shopify metafield type is not compatible with the selected Dropstitch attribute type, or one or more required fields are still empty.
Add Tag, Link Metafield, or Add Metafield is disabled: one or more required modal fields are still empty.

Value reflection

Without a clean Shopify data layer, every catalog update turns into more manual filtering, cleanup, and theme-workaround logic. Dropstitch lets you push tags and metafields from the same product data you already maintain, so Shopify stays more organized with less repeated admin work. Once the mappings are set, they become a reliable set-and-forget layer for ongoing catalog structure.