Virtual Try-On on Big Cartel: What Are Your Options?

For virtual try-on on Big Cartel, you have two routes: paste a script widget into your shop through Big Cartel's Integration Code, or call a try-on REST API from your own code. Big Cartel's help pages say Integration Code is available on paid plans, so the free plan is the main limit.

This guide explains both routes using ZeDaq.ai and the information on Big Cartel's help center, checked November 2026. It is a companion to our guide to virtual try-on for WooCommerce, which uses the same widget on a different platform.

What can Big Cartel stores add?

According to Big Cartel's help center, all shops on paid plans have full access to Integration Code, and shops on the free Gold plan do not. Integration Code lets you paste a script in the Head, placed before the closing head tag, or the Body, placed before the closing body tag.

Editing the theme's own code is a separate feature. Big Cartel's page on editing theme code says it is available on premium plans, warns that changes in the advanced template code are lost if you switch or update your theme, and points to Integration Code for changes that should persist.

What does ZeDaq.ai offer for non-Shopify stores?

ZeDaq.ai offers a script-tag widget for WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce and custom sites. It adds "Try it on" and "Find my size" buttons to the product page. Big Cartel isn't named in that list, so treat it as a custom site and test it before you launch.

The widget needs a key locked to your store's domain, which you set in Dashboard → API keys. The docs say keys that aren't locked are refused. Setup details are in the widget documentation.

How do you add the widget on Big Cartel?

1. Create an account and a widget key, and lock it to your shop's domain.

2. In Big Cartel, open the Integration Code section of your shop settings.

3. Paste the script into the Body section:

   <script src="https://www.zedaq.ai/widget/zedaq.js" data-key="…" defer>

4. Save, then open a product page and check for the "Try it on" button.

5. Test on a phone and a desktop browser.

The widget has optional attributes such as a garment type and a target selector for placing the button. The docs list them. Because Integration Code is shop-wide and I haven't tested it on every Big Cartel theme, check that the button appears where you want it and that it only loads on product pages if that matters to you.

When is the REST API a better choice?

The API suits you if you want full control over the experience, or if you build your own storefront that reads from Big Cartel's data. You send a request to POST /api/v1/tryon with an x-api-key header, and the response returns the rendered image. The API reference has the fields.

You need a developer for this route, and you must keep the key private on a server. The article comparing the widget and the API explains the trade-offs.

What should you set before you launch?

Work through this checklist on a draft or test shop first:

• Garment type: the widget has an optional data-garment-type attribute for upper body, lower body or dresses. Set it to match the product, or leave it to the default behavior in the docs.
• Size chart: enter your own size guide in Dashboard → Size charts, one chart per garment type, so the size suggestion uses your labels.
• Button placement: if the default position doesn't suit your theme, the docs describe a data-target attribute that points to a CSS selector.
• Product image: make sure the product image on the page is clear and shows the whole garment.
• Mobile test: most shoppers will use a phone, so check the full flow there.

What are the trade-offs of using a script on a small platform?

A script widget is quick, but you rely on the platform's theme to host the right markup. If you change themes, check the widget again. Big Cartel warns that custom theme edits are lost when you switch or update a theme, which is why Integration Code is the safer place for the script.

Also remember that Integration Code is shop-wide. If the script only needs to run on product pages, test that it behaves sensibly on the home, category and checkout pages.

Which route should you choose?

Use the widget if you want to be live quickly and you are comfortable pasting a line of code into a settings box. Use the API if you have a developer and want the try-on built into your own design.

A small clothing brand with a handful of products can test the widget in an afternoon. A brand with a custom front end will likely prefer the API. In both cases, begin on the Free plan, test with your own products, and only then decide whether to move to a paid plan.

What goes wrong most often?

Most problems come from a few causes:

• The script is on the wrong page, so no button appears. Check that Integration Code is saved and the shop is published.
• The domain lock does not match the address shoppers see. Use the exact domain, including any custom domain you have connected.
• The free plan blocks the editor, since Integration Code is a paid-plan feature on Big Cartel.
• Cached pages show old content. Open a private browser window to test.
• The product image is poor, which gives weak previews. Use a clear, front-facing image.

Fix them one at a time, and retest after each change.

Is the widget key safe in page source?

The widget key appears in your page source, which is why ZeDaq.ai requires it to be locked to your domain. Never put an unlocked key in the page.

What will it cost?

ZeDaq.ai has a Free plan at $0 with 3 try-ons, 3 measurements and 5 invoices a month. Paid plans are Micro at $14/mo, Starter at $49/mo, Growth at $129/mo and Scale at $299/mo, and each paid plan has a 3-day free trial with no card required. Check the current pricing page before you decide. Big Cartel's own plan prices are separate, so check them on Big Cartel's site.

What do other platforms look like?

If you move or run another store, see how it works on Squarespace and on BigCommerce. Streetwear and indie brands often start on small platforms, so our guide to try-on for streetwear and hoodies may suit your catalog.

FAQs

Does Big Cartel have a ZeDaq.ai app?

No. Big Cartel isn't listed as a supported platform for the widget, so you add it through Integration Code and test it.

Do I need a paid Big Cartel plan?

Per Big Cartel's help center, Integration Code is on paid plans. Check its current plan details.

Do I need a developer?

For the widget, usually not. For the REST API, yes.

Can I test before I pay?

Yes. The Free plan includes 3 try-ons, and paid plans have a 3-day free trial.