How to bulk import and update catalog images?

TB Sync · catalog-import · Last updated August 18, 2026 · Version 1

This process works in apps: TB Sync, TB Books, TB WMS

This article will teach you how to map Image 1–3 URL columns on Product Catalog import, replace photos on existing SKUs, and update a single product in Catalog Images.

Product Catalog import (Organization Settings → Data Migration) can load up to three photo URLs per row. On Map Catalog Fields, the Product Images group has Image 1, Image 2, and Image 3. Image 1 is the main photo; Image 2 and Image 3 are extra gallery photos. Values must be full http or https links — not file names sitting on your computer. Tire Base saves the URLs on the product immediately, then tries to download each unique photo so it does not depend on the source website. If a download fails, the original URL is kept (that photo can break later if the source site goes down). Re-importing the same manufacturer / part number, brand, and size with Image columns mapped updates the photos on the existing product.

Steps

• Add Image 1, and optionally Image 2 and Image 3, columns to your spreadsheet. Each cell should be a public http(s) image URL (columns named Image, Photo, Picture, or Image URL usually auto-map to Image 1).
• Go to Settings → Data Migration (Organization Settings) and under Imports choose Product Catalog.
• Upload the Excel or CSV file, select the header row, then under Product Images map Image 1 (main), Image 2, and Image 3 to those URL columns. Leave a field unmapped if that column is empty.
• Review the preview so part numbers and image links look right. Choose Update Only when you are refreshing photos on products that already exist.
• Click Confirm & Import and wait until the job shows complete. Mapped URLs appear on the product right away; Tire Base then tries to download each unique photo.
• Spot-check a few SKUs in Inventory. To change photos later, either re-import those rows with new Image 1–3 URLs mapped, or open Settings → Catalog Images, use the Part # tab, search the SKU, and upload or replace the image there.

Conclusion & best practices

Only map Image 1–3 when you intend to set or replace photos — a mapped Image column overwrites the product’s current photos. Prefer hosted Tire Base copies over hot-linked vendor URLs. For one-off brand or model photos, use Catalog Images (Brands / Models / Part #) instead of a full catalog file. Related: How to import a catalog in Sync? and How to manage catalog images in Sync?.