How it works
Alva keeps one global email template per shop. Per-product overrides are also available — useful when a particular SKU needs different copy. The global template is the one to edit first.
Customise steps
1. Open Email Settings
In the Alva admin, click Settings, then Email. The page shows the global template applied to every product without an override.
Alva Email Settings page. Show the form on the left (Subject, From name, Body) and the live preview on the right. No real customer data visible.
2. Edit the subject line and body
Edit the Subject line, From name, and email body. Use placeholders like {{customer.first_name}}, {{order.name}}, and {{download.link}} — they expand at send time.
The body editor with merge-field dropdown open. Show the placeholder list (customer.first_name, order.name, download.link). No real customer data visible.
3. Add a logo and accent colour
Upload a square logo (recommended 256×256 PNG with transparent background) and set an accent hex value. The preview pane updates live so you can see the customer view before saving.
Branding controls — logo upload card with a placeholder logo, hex colour picker, and the live preview reflecting both. No real customer data visible.
4. Send a preview to yourself
Click Send preview. Alva sends a fully rendered email to the merchant inbox so you can verify rendering in Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail before customers see it.
The preview email rendered in an inbox client. Show the branded header, body copy, and a Download button. No real customer data visible.
5. Save
Click Save. The new template applies to every order placed after this point. Existing customers can be re-sent the new email by resending from the order detail page.
What customers see
Customers receive the email within seconds of paying (or within seconds of fraud approval, when fraud checks are enabled). The download button links to a presigned URL that expires in 60 seconds — clicking it again regenerates a fresh URL.
Limitations
Custom HTML is not supported in the body editor — Alva uses a structured template to keep cross-client rendering reliable. To send from a custom domain (for example downloads@yourshop.com), upgrade to a paid plan and configure DKIM under Settings → Custom email domain.
See also
Was this helpful?
Last updated 2026-05-05