📀 PSPA Portrait CD Creation Guide

For the smoothest portrait import experience, we strongly recommend working with a photographer who already supports the PSPA format. Photographers who follow this standard can usually provide a ready-to-use PSPA portrait CD, which allows you to import portraits into Creator Studio quickly and without formatting issues.

If your photographer does not supply a PSPA-formatted disc, don’t worry. You can create one yourself using the instructions below.
If you need to modify an existing PSPA disc instead, please refer to the PSPA Guidelines article.

🖼️ Creating Portrait Images

Before building your disc, confirm that all portrait images meet the following requirements:

Recommended size: 640 × 800 pixels

Color mode: RGB

Aspect ratio: All images must match

File type: JPEG (.jpg) only

Using consistent image specs ensures portraits import cleanly and align properly within layouts.

🏷️ Naming Image Files

Portrait file names must follow these rules:

Use letters and numbers only (no spaces or special characters)

Keep file names 9 characters or fewer whenever possible

Short, clean file names reduce import errors and improve compatibility.

📄 Creating the Index File

The index file acts as the instruction sheet for your portraits. It tells Creator Studio how to read, organize, and assign each image.

File requirements

Must be saved as a tab-delimited text file (.csv)

Best created using a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel

Each person must appear on their own row, with information separated into columns.

📊 Required Column Order

Your index file must contain these eight columns:

• (A) Volume Name
• (B) Image Folder
• (C) Image File Name
• (D) Grade
• (E) Last Name
• (F) First Name
• (G) Teacher Name
• (H) Homeroom

📝 NOTE: If your columns are not in the correct order, the uploader will allow you to select the proper data mapping.

📊 Optional Data

Your index file may also contain these five optional columns:

• (I) Email Address
• (J) Custom Info1
• (K) Custom Info 2
• (L) Custom Info 3
• (M) Priority

⚠️ NOTE: These columns are not necessary for most uploads. Contact your yearbook account representative for more information.

✅ Final Checklist Before Importing

Before using your disc, verify:

• Image file names exactly match the names listed in the index file
• Folder names match exactly
• All required columns are present and correctly ordered
• Images meet size and format requirements

Taking a moment to confirm these details prevents import errors and saves troubleshooting time later.

If you need visual examples of properly formatted index files or folder structures, see the PSPA Guidelines article.