Upload and deliver digital content

Digital content lets you sell downloadable files directly through the platform. Upload a file to a Digital content product, assign it to the relevant product options, and grant eligible backers access. Backers download delivered files from the Digital content section on their Your Pledge page.

This article covers downloadable files. To distribute unique keys or vouchers, use a Digital code product.

In this article

• Before you start
• Add a digital content product
• Upload digital content
• Grant access to backers
• Update or remove a file
• Track digital content delivery
• Refund an order that contains digital content
• How backers access digital content
• FAQ

Before you start

• Products and rewards: You can add Digital content products to digital-only rewards and rewards that also contain physical products.
• Shipping: Digital content does not require shipping or increase the shipping cost of physical products in the same order.
• Files and access: You can create and offer a Digital content product before you upload its files. Backers cannot access the content until you upload the required files and grant access.
• File formats and limits: You can upload PDF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, MP3, MP4, and ZIP files. The total file storage limit is 2 GB per project. A single file can be up to 1 GB.
• Product options: Finalize your product options before you assign files. After you upload a file, the platform restricts changes that could break the file assignment. This restriction is temporary.
• Content rights: You are responsible for the files you upload and for having the rights to distribute them.

Add a digital content product

To offer downloadable files in your project, add a product with the Digital content type.

1. From the project dashboard, go to Products.
2. Select Add product.
3. Enter the product details and select Digital content as the product type.
4. Select Save.

You can offer a Digital content product on its own or as part of a set. Its shipping cost is always 0. If an order also contains physical products, standard shipping rules still apply to those products.

Upload digital content

The upload flow depends on whether the product has options. You can upload one file or one ZIP archive for each file assignment.

Product with options

Before you upload files, choose whether to use the same file for all option combinations or different files for each combination.

1. Open the Digital content product.
2. From the left menu, expand Digital content, and select Settings.
3. Choose how to assign files:
   • Use the same file for all product options.
   • Use different files for each product option.
4. Select Save.
5. Select Files.
6. Upload one file for all option combinations, or assign a file to every complete option combination, depending on your choice.
7. Select Save.

Each complete combination includes a value for every product option, such as color, size, and language. You can upload files in stages. Backers cannot access content for a combination until it has a file and you grant access.

Product without options

Upload one file for the entire product.

1. Open the Digital content product.
2. From the left menu, select Digital content file.
3. Drop the file into the upload field or select it from your device.
4. Select Save.

Note: When you use different files for product options, assign a file to every complete option combination. A backer cannot access digital content for a combination that has no file.

Check for missing files

Before you grant access, check which products or option combinations are missing files. You can upload files in stages; you do not need to upload all files at once. You can review missing files in two places:

• Product page: Open Files and check the Variants missing files counter.
• Project dashboard: Open Digital products, select the Preparation tab, and select Review products missing files.

The missing-files list shows each affected product and the number of missing file assignments. Open a product from the list to complete its setup.

Grant access to backers

Granting access makes the uploaded files available to eligible backers. You can grant access in bulk from the project dashboard or for one product from its product page.

Grant access in bulk

1. On the project dashboard, open Digital products.
2. Select the Content access tab.
3. Review the number under Digital content awaiting access grant.
4. Select Grant access to digital content.
5. Review the confirmation message, and select Grant access.

Grant access for one product

1. Open the Digital content product.
2. Select Grant access.
3. Review the confirmation message, and select Grant access.

Which backers receive access

A backer receives access only when all of the following conditions apply:

• Purchase: The backer purchased the Digital content product or the relevant product option combination.
• Payment: The order is fully paid. Orders with partially paid installments are not eligible.
• File assignment: A file is assigned to the purchased product or option combination.
• Project status: For a standard crowdfunding campaign, the campaign must end successfully before you can grant access. For Express Crowdfunding, you can grant access while the campaign is active, provided all other conditions above are met.

Orders with physical products

Physical products do not delay digital delivery. If an eligible order contains both physical and digital products, the backer can receive the digital content before the physical products are fulfilled.

Note: The confirmation message excludes content that isn't ready or eligible. Granting access can take some time when many orders are included.

What happens after you grant access

After you grant access, backers can download the files from their account. The following changes apply:

• Email notification: The backer receives a system email that lists the newly available items and links to Your Pledge. The email does not include file attachments.
• File access: The files become available in the Digital content section on the backer's Your Pledge page.
• Later deliveries: If you distribute more content later, the backer receives another email for that distribution.
• Order changes: Once you grant access to a Digital content product, the backer cannot remove that product from the order.

Update or remove a file

You can replace an uploaded file with a new version or remove it. Before you save, the edit window shows how many backers already have access.

Replace a file

Replacing a file affects backers based on their access status:

• Backers who already have access: They can download the new version using the same link on Your Pledge. They do not receive another delivery email.
• Backers waiting for access: They receive the new version when you grant access.

Remove a file

Removing a file revokes access to that file. Upload a replacement if backers should keep access.

Track digital content delivery

Open an order's details to check the delivery status of its Digital content items. The Digital content section appears only when the order contains at least one Digital content item.

Refund an order that contains digital content

You can issue a full or partial refund for an order that contains Digital content, including after you grant access.

Review delivered content

The refund window identifies orders that contain delivered digital products and shows whether the backer downloaded a file. Consider this information when setting the refund amount. The platform doesn’t automatically block refunds after you grant access.

Access after product removal

To refund a product or set, first remove it from the order. If it contains delivered digital content:

• The backer loses access to that content on Your Pledge.
• This applies even if the backer downloaded the file before you removed the product or set.

Withdrawal consent

Before placing an order that contains Digital content, backers must accept the digital-content withdrawal consent at checkout. The order confirmation email records this consent.

How backers access digital content

1. Open the campaign connected with the purchase.
2. Go to Your Pledge.
3. Find the Digital content section.
4. Select Download file next to an available item.

Before delivery, the item shows Access pending. After delivery, the section can show the download date and the date of the latest file update. If you remove a delivered file, the download action becomes unavailable.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell digital content before the file is ready?

Yes. You can create and sell the product first, then upload the file before you grant access.

Can I deliver digital content before physical products?

Yes. Digital delivery is independent of physical fulfillment for eligible, fully paid orders.

Can I update a file after delivery?

Yes. Replace the file and save your changes. Backers who already have access can download the new version from the same place on Your Pledge.

Can I upload and deliver files in stages?

Yes. You can upload files for some product option combinations and add the remaining files later. For example, upload the English version first, then add translations as they become available. Save your changes and grant access each time you add files that are ready to deliver. Eligible backers receive the file assigned to their purchased option combination.

Does replacing a file send another email?

No. Backers who already had access do not receive another delivery email when you replace a file.

Why is a backer missing from the access grant?

Check that the order is fully paid, the purchased product or option combination has a file assigned, and the project meets the distribution requirements.