A "flipbook" is a digital version of a catalogue 📖 that can be accessed from within the RepZio app by your sales reps (and within the ShopZio marketplace for buyers). Flipbooks can be browsed page-by-page just like a printed product catalogue but with one—very important—bonus feature - buyers have the ability to order items right from within the book.

Why are flipbooks a great asset to feature on your site? A flipbook is a marketing campaign designed to drive sales by showcasing a targeted group of products to consumers in a branded environment offering a more personalized experience. It showcases a brand's lifestyle by reinforcing brand recognition, brand identity and product awareness by engaging consumers in an accessible or aspirational lifestyle of which they can feel a part of, a sense of belonging to, and—possibly the most important for a brand's success—one to which a consumer will remain loyal.

Learn more about how to set up a flipbook below.

Topics covered in this article

• Creating a Flipbook
• Enabling a Flipbook
• Uploading Flipbook File(s)
• Flipbook Processing
• Managing Flipbooks

Creating a Flipbook

1. Page orientation: portrait
2. Page size: 8.5x11" 
3. Maximum file size: 200MB
   • Please compress your files prior to uploading! Not sure how to compress a PDF? Try compressing your files with Adobe Acrobat or a free online service.
     • Adobe Acrobat requires a monthly membership fee. If using a free online service, be ware of spam and online scams.
4. Final format: portable document format, also known as "PDF"
5. Total flipbook pages not to exceed contracted page limit. All sellers are automatically given 100 free pages included in their plan. 101+ pages incur a fee. Please see Flipbook FAQs below for more information.

Enabling a Flipbook

Uploading Flipbook File(s)

You can either email the flipbook (a link or the actual PDF document) to our Support Team or we can request files via Dropbox directly.

Already have access to your Dropbox folder? You can upload your PDF file via the shared Dropbox "flipbooks" sub-folder. 

Flipbook Processing

Flipbooks typically take ~15 minutes to an hour to process from the time you upload but may take longer based on the number of pages in your PDF file. Once the flipbook has processed, an automated email will be sent to the email address on file. If one is not already listed, we will request you provide us with one to update the system.

Note: We recommend that you compress your PDF file prior to uploading.

What's next? Once a flipbook file is uploaded into the Dropbox service and begins processing, it goes through a series or stages.

Stage One

A new flipbook file should begin to show shortly in the Manage Flipbooks screen after uploading, as shown below, within WebManager > Flipbooks. The link for a new file will show here, but will not be quite ready for any action to be taken. You may also view or make changes to pre-existing flipbooks here as well.

If you select on a link and it shows a grey box, as shown below, it may look like something went wrong or nothing is happening, but never fear, this is a part of the process. The file is still in the beginning stages of processing. 

Stage Two

In stage two, PDF pages begin to convert to individual images for each page. You'll start to see what we call "broken images" with a page number associated. Depending on the size of your flipbook, this stage may take the longest amount of time. Your flipbook is still not quite ready for any action to be taken just yet.

*Please note - If a flipbook is uploaded that would take you over 100 pages, the flipbook processing will typically stall here in stage two. Please reach out to Support for assistance. In order for the processing to resume, a proposal for pricing will need to be sent and approved. If for any reason, you see your flipbook file remain in this stage for more than 2 hours, please contact the Support Team and we will look into this for you.

Stage Three

The final stage of processing is where the magic happens and will show each page as an individual image, as shown below. Now the fun begins! 🎉 

In the next section, Managing Flipbooks, we'll review all things related to managing flipbooks: how to tag items, re-arrange or delete pages, rename a flipbook, and of course publish your flipbook(s).

Managing Flipbooks

Along with uploading flipbooks, comes managing flipbooks. Keep going to learn more.

Accessing Your Flipbook

To access your flipbook file(s), follow the below steps.

1. Log in to your account in WebManager
2. In the toolbar on the the left-hand side of the page, click "Flipbooks" 
3. Under the “Manage Flipbooks” panel, click on the name of the Flipbook you need to  make any changes.
   

Adding a Page to Your Flipbook

Forgot a page in your uploaded file? Follow the below steps to add a page. When adding pages to an already existing flipbook file, pages must be .jpg format.

1. In the “Add a Page” panel, located under the “Flipbook Tools” panel, click the “Choose File” button
2. Locate and select the .jpg image of the page you are adding
3. Click the “Open” button
4. Tag items accordingly on your new page (if applicable)
5. Click "Publish Flipbook" for the changes to go live

Deleting a Page from your Flipbook

Content no longer relevant or incorrect? Follow the steps below to delete an individual page from your flipbook file.

1. Click on the flipbook link
2. Select the page you would like to delete
3. Click on red "x"  to the side of the page number selected
4. Verify delete by clicking on "Yes, Delete this Page" (this is a button although it does not look like it!)
   
5. Refresh the page once deleted for the update to show correctly
6. Re-publish your flipbook for changes to show to customers

Rearranging the Order of Flipbook Pages

Need to update the flow of your flipbook? Rearrange pages is a simple drag and drop. Follow the steps below to re-arrange your flipbook file.

1. Open the flipbook you wish to re-arrange pages
2. Under “Flipbook Tools” on the right, click the green “Arrange Flipbook Pages” button
3. Drag and drop the available pages into the desired order
4. Click the “Save Changes” button once you're finished
5. Make sure to re-publish the flipbook file for changes to show to customers

Renaming a Flipbook 

Uploaded a flipbook but need to change the name? Follow the steps below to update.

1. Under the "Manage Flipbooks" panel, click the Rename Flipbook link that corresponds to the particular flipbook you wish to rename.  Enter a new name for your flipbook and click "save changes".

Tagging Products within a Flipbook

Tagging products allow customers to shop directly in a flipbook without having to toggle back and forth to add items to their shopping carts.

Adding a tag creates a box on the backend and a small label, or hangtag, that a customer can click on to pull up item details on the frontend. The box created by tagging items is only visible to you on the backend. The hangtag that customers can click on will shift depending upon the size of the box created on the backend. Customers on the frontend will only see the hangtag. There are a couple of techniques you can use in creating tags. We recommend testing out the methods below to see which best suits your needs.

Note: When customers are reviewing flipbooks on the iPad iOS app, tags will shift when the iPad is turned to landscape mode and again when turned back to portrait mode. Flipbooks were designed for the iPad to be in portrait mode. However, should customers prefer landscape mode when viewing pages, you'll want to take this into consideration when creating the tags on the backend.

Don't like the way it looks on the frontend? No worries, you can delete it. We'll show you how shortly. 

Techniques to Adding Tags

1. Simple click. A simple click near the item creates a tiny box on the backend. If you have numerous items on a page, a simple click may be the best option.
   Backend View
   Frontend View
   RepZio iOS App
   
   B2B Direct
   
2. Click and Drag. A click and drag around an item or item details is another option for tagging. A larger box on the backend does not make the tag on the frontend appear larger. A larger box on the backend will only shift where the tag will sit for customers on the frontend.
   Backend View
   
   Frontend View
   RepZio iOS App
   
   B2B Direct
   

Notice the slight shift in where the hangtag is positioned when using the second method. In addition to this shift, if customers turn their iPad device landscape, the hangtags may shift even more.

Please note that the ItemID must be entered exactly how it is setup in your data base. For example: if the ItemID of your product is ABC123, then you must tag the item with that exact ItemID. Using "abc123" will cause an error when users try to click on the tagged item in the flipbook.

Note:  To remove a tag, double-click on the square/rectangle you previously created in Webmanager, then click the “OK” button to confirm the removal.

Publishing Your Flipbook

Remember, that anytime you make changes within a flipbook, you must re-publish the flipbook. Some changes also require a push data live. You'll notice the "push data live" button illuminated if it is needed, but if you aren't sure, push data live! If your flipbook is crashing on the frontend, it is most likely due to not being published.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

Q. Is there an additional fee for the flipbook service?

A. All sellers are automatically allowed 100 total pages included with your plan. 101+ pages (max 10,000 pages) incur an additional $200 monthly fee. Please reach out to Support or your CSM to review. A proposal for pricing will need to be sent and approved prior to processing.

Q. Why is the RepZio app crashing when a flipbook is selected?

A. There are a few possible reasons why the RepZio application may "crash" or shutdown when a flipbook is selected.

1. Ensure that the flipbook has been published. Each flipbook must be published for it to properly function.
2. The RepZio application may crash if a rep is not a strong, stable WiFi or internet signal or there is a interruption of service/connectivity.
   • If a flipbook has been published and a rep is on a strong WiFi or internet signal, have the rep complete a Force Restart on the iPad device. Learn more about how to Force restart iPad device here. A "force restart" is different than simply shutting down an iOS device. Refer to the instructions above to follow the force restart process properly.

Q. Is tagging items required?

A. No, tagging items is not required. However, if items are not tagged, the flipbook will perform like a static catalog you receive in the mail. Tagging items allows your customers to purchase directly through the flipbook with ease.

Q. My flipbook takes me over the 100 pages I am allowed, what happens next?

A. If a flipbook takes you over the 100 free pages allowed in your contract, our team will need to update your pricing plan. We have one option for additional pages for flipbooks and that is $200/month for 10,000 pages. Contact our Support Team to further assist.

Q. Can flipbooks be reorganised in WebManager once uploaded into the system?

A. No, flipbooks cannot be reorganised once uploaded into the system. To place flipbooks in a specific order, they would need to be uploaded in the order in which desired, one book at a time, tagged and published.

Additional Resources For You to Consider

• Learn More about how to Create a Flipbook Hyperlink for Use in Send Files here.