Use Shopify Variant Options only when your Shopify storefront still needs variant-style structure from Dropstitch.

Before you start

Make sure Shopify is connected in Connect Dropstitch to Shopify.
Create the source fields you want to use, such as @size, @color, or @waist, in Set up Attributes in Dropstitch.
Open Settings > Marketplaces > Shopify > Variant Options.

How it works

Shopify variant options group different versions of a product under one listing, such as different sizes or colors.

In most Dropstitch workflows, products are one-of-one items with quantity 1, so variants are usually unnecessary. Dropstitch treats Shopify variant options as an optional compatibility layer for stores that already rely on variant structure.

Each variant option links:

one Dropstitch attribute in Linked Product Field Key
to one Shopify option label in Label

You can apply that option in two ways:

Scope	Use when	Example
All Product Categories	The option should apply broadly	`Size` across most apparel
Limit to product categories	The option only belongs on part of the catalog	`Waist` only on bottoms

If you leave Variant Options empty, products can still publish to Shopify as standalone listings.

How to use it

Go to Settings > Marketplaces > Shopify > Variant Options.
Decide whether you need variants at all:

If not, leave the section empty.
If yes, continue with the setup below.

Click + Add Variant Option.
Select the Linked Product Field Key.
Enter the Shopify-facing Label, such as Size, Color, or Waist.
Choose the scope:

Leave Use variant option for all product categories on for a global option.
Turn it off and use Limit to product categories for category-specific options.

Click Add Variant Option.
Repeat only for the option layers your storefront actually needs.

Success check

The option appears in the Variant Options list.
The label and scope are shown correctly in Shopify settings.
Products published with matching source data expose the expected Shopify option values.

Tips

Recommended approach: if your vintage catalog is mostly one-of-one inventory, keep variants off.
If your Shopify setup already depends on variants, start with the smallest possible setup, usually Size or Color.
Keep source values consistent, such as M versus Medium, so Shopify options stay clean.
Use category limits when an option only makes sense for one part of the catalog.

Advanced settings

Category-scoped options keep Shopify from showing noisy or irrelevant variant labels across the whole catalog.
Keep labels standardized, such as Size, Color, and Waist, so storefront filters and team workflows stay predictable.

Example setup:

Size linked to @size, applied to All Product Categories
Waist linked to @waist, limited to Bottoms
This works because the same product field only becomes a Shopify option where its category rule matches

Troubleshooting

Add Variant Option is disabled: fill both Linked Product Field Key and Label.
Variant option appears on the wrong products: turn off global scope and use Limit to product categories.
Variant values look messy in Shopify: clean the source values in the linked attribute field.
No variants show up in Shopify: confirm the product row actually has a value for the linked attribute before publish.
Too many variant combinations: reduce the number of options and keep only the dimensions that matter.

Value reflection

Without a clear variant strategy, Shopify setup turns into manual exception work product by product. Dropstitch lets you preserve the variant structure your storefront needs while still driving it from the same product data layer. For most one-of-one operations, that also means knowing when not to use variants at all.