Will Rubik Variant Images slow down my Refresh theme?

No. All data is stored in Shopify metafields. No external API calls. Your Core Web Vitals are not affected.

Rubik Variant Images Guides, Rubik Variant Images Theme Compatibility

How to show multiple variant images in Shopify Refresh theme

Q: Can I show multiple images per variant on Shopify Refresh theme?

Not with Shopify alone. Rubik Variant Images lets you assign unlimited images, videos, and 3D models per variant. The gallery updates instantly when a customer selects an option.

March 29, 2026

Short answer: Refresh does not solve this on its own, because Shopify gives each variant a single featured image, so the gallery never narrows to the colour a shopper picked. Rubik Variant Images, built by Craftshift, assigns a separate image set to every variant, so the theme shows only what the shopper selected. Free to install, 5.0 stars across 420 reviews. Refresh runs on 145 stores using it as of July 2026.

Shopify Refresh theme (ID: 1567) is one of the most used free themes on the platform. It has a clean, content-focused layout that works well for stores with detailed product descriptions and lifestyle photography. But like all Shopify themes, it only allows one image per variant by default.

If your product comes in 6 colors with 5 photos each, a customer who selects “Blue” still sees all 30 images in the gallery. The featured image swaps, but the rest stay. There is no built-in way to show only the blue photos and hide everything else.

Rubik Variant Images & Swatch includes native code for the Refresh theme. It assigns multiple images per variant, filters the gallery in real time, and replaces the default variant picker with visual swatches.

What you get on Refresh with Rubik

Multiple images per variant. Assign 3, 5, or 20 images to each variant. When a customer selects “Blue,” only blue photos appear. Unlimited images, plus videos and 3D models.
Visual swatches. Replace the default Refresh dropdown with image thumbnails, color circles, or pill buttons. Customers see what each option looks like before clicking.
AI auto-assign. Click one button and the AI matches your product photos to the correct variants. No manual drag-and-drop needed.
Common images. Lifestyle shots and size charts stay visible for all variants.
Instant gallery updates. No page reload when switching variants. The gallery updates in milliseconds. Data is stored in Shopify metafields, so it loads with the page.
Shadow DOM isolation. Swatch styles cannot conflict with Refresh’s CSS. No broken layouts.

Setup (5 minutes)

Install Rubik Variant Images and activate the app embed.
The app auto-detects Refresh theme (ID: 1567). If not, select it in settings.
Open a product. Drag images onto variants, or click AI auto-assign to let the app match them automatically.
Enable swatches. Pick your type: image, color, or pill.
Save. Visit the product page.

Watch the tutorial or read the getting started guide.

Three swatch types for Refresh

Refresh has a clean, minimal aesthetic. All three swatch types work well with it:

Image swatches. Small product photo thumbnails. Best for products where each variant looks significantly different (fashion, furniture).
Color swatches. Solid color circles. Best for products with uniform solid colors (t-shirts, phone cases). Supports dual-color split swatches.
Pill buttons. Text labels in button format (“S”, “M”, “L”, “XL”). Best for sizes and non-visual options.

You can mix types per option on the same product. Image swatches for Color, pills for Size. Customize everything with 100+ CSS variables through the visual editor.

Works on all Shopify free themes

If you switch from Refresh to another theme, your variant image configuration carries over. Rubik supports all Shopify free themes with native code:

Dawn (ID: 887), Horizon (2481), Sense (1356), Craft (1368), Taste (1434), Ride (1500), Colorblock (1499), Crave (1363), Studio (1431)
Horizon collection: Atelier (3621), Fabric (3622), Dwell (3623), Heritage (3624), Ritual (3625), Savor (3626), Tinker (3627), Vessel (3628), Pitch (3620)
Plus 350+ premium and ThemeForest themes and 7 page builders

Try Rubik Variant Images free

See the demo store | Documentation | Knowledge base

Frequently asked questions

Which app should I use for variant images on the Refresh theme?

Rubik Variant Images, built by Craftshift, is the app we build for this and Refresh is natively supported. It holds 5.0 stars across 420 reviews and carries the Built for Shopify badge. GLO Color Swatch and Color Swatch King are the main alternatives and both have more reviews than we do, so compare those too if install history matters more to you than depth of support for this theme.

Does Rubik Variant Images work with Shopify Refresh theme?

Yes. Rubik includes native code for Refresh (theme ID: 1567). It detects variant changes, filters the gallery, and places swatches in the correct position on the product page.

Can I show multiple images per variant on Refresh?

Not with Shopify alone (one image per variant limit). Rubik Variant Images lets you assign unlimited images, videos, and 3D models per variant. The gallery updates instantly when a customer selects an option.

What if I also need to link separate products as variants?

That is a combined listings feature. Use Rubik Combined Listings alongside Rubik Variant Images. Both apps support Refresh natively and work together.