Pixel Union Review: How to Make Money as an Affiliate
Disclosure: some links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What Is Pixel Union?
Pixel Union makes premium themes for Shopify stores. A theme is the design of your store: the layout, the product pages, the menus, and how everything looks on a phone.
Pixel Union is one of four theme brands that work together: Pixel Union, Out of the Sandbox, Archetype, and Clean Canvas. Out of the Sandbox is the name behind well-known themes like Turbo, Flex, and Parallax, plus the Theme Updater & Backups app.
What does that look like in real life? You open a Shopify store, and the free theme feels a bit plain. So you buy a premium theme like Empire or Atlantic, plug in your products and logo, and your store looks like a real brand on day one.
Here's the simple version of what you get:
- Premium Shopify themes like Empire, Atlantic, Tailor, Grid, Editions, and Startup
- Sister brands with even more themes, including Out of the Sandbox's Turbo, Flex, and Parallax
- Free theme updates and free customer support on Pixel Union themes
- Themes built for different store types, from single-product shops to large catalogs
- Apps like Theme Updater & Backups and Pixelpop popups
Out of the Sandbox says more than 30,000 merchants use its Theme Updater & Backups app. Pixel Union is also part of the Tiny family of companies, alongside Dribbble and MetaLab. This is an established theme shop, not a newcomer.
How Does Pixel Union Work?
You pick a theme that fits your store, try it in Shopify, and pay once to keep it. Then you customize it in Shopify's theme editor.
For Users
- Browse the themes on Pixel Union's site and read who each one is built for.
- Click "Try theme for free" to preview it inside your own Shopify store.
- Buy the theme when you're happy with it.
- Add your logo, colors, and products in the Shopify theme editor.
- Reach out to support when you get stuck, and keep your theme up to date.
For Affiliates
- Apply to the Pixel Union Partner Program (it runs on PartnerStack).
- Get your referral link once you're approved. They say approval usually takes 2–3 business days.
- Share it in theme reviews, store tutorials, and with your clients.
- Earn 15% on eligible theme sales across all four brands, plus 15% on Theme Updater & Backups plans.
That's the whole model. You help store owners pick a good theme, and the theme brands handle the sale and support.
Pixel Union Pricing
Pixel Union themes are a one-time purchase, priced in US dollars. Here's what the main Pixel Union themes cost right now:
| Theme | Price (one-time) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | $100 | Single-product or tightly focused stores |
| Editions | $120 | Brands that sell through story and curation |
| Grid | $280 | Image-driven, visual stores |
| Atlantic | $300 | Simple, fast stores of any catalog size |
| Empire | $360 | Large catalogs and high-volume stores |
| Tailor | $360 | Apparel brands |
A few things worth knowing:
- You can try a theme free in your Shopify store before you buy
- Pixel Union lists free theme updates and free support with its themes
- Out of the Sandbox's Theme Updater & Backups app is a separate monthly or yearly subscription
- You still pay for your Shopify plan on top of the theme
If you want to see them for yourself, you can browse Pixel Union themes here.
Always check Pixel Union's and Out of the Sandbox's sites for current theme prices. Prices change, and sales come and go.
Who Should Use Pixel Union?
Users
Pixel Union is a good fit if you:
- Run a Shopify store and want it to look more professional
- Have outgrown the free Shopify themes
- Have a large catalog and need good filtering and menus (Empire is built for that)
- Would rather pay once than pay a designer
- Build Shopify stores for clients
Affiliates
It's a good fit if you:
- Write about Shopify, ecommerce, or dropshipping
- Are a Shopify freelancer, developer, or agency
- Teach people how to start an online store
Pros and Cons of Pixel Union
Pros
- One-time price, not another monthly bill
- Try any theme free in your store first
- Free updates and support listed on its themes
- Wide choice across four sister brands
- Affiliates earn on all four brands, not just one
Cons
- $100 to $360 is a real cost for a brand-new store
- Free Shopify themes are good enough for many beginners
- Four brands and dozens of themes can feel confusing to pick from
- For affiliates, theme commissions are one-time, not recurring
- The partner program is brand new, so there's little track record yet
Pixel Union vs Alternatives
| Feature | Pixel Union | Out of the Sandbox | Free Shopify Themes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Premium themes for many store types | Feature-rich themes like Turbo and Flex, plus theme apps | Shopify's own basic themes |
| Price | $100–$360 one-time | Check their site | $0 |
| Best for | Stores that want a polished look fast | Experienced merchants and developers | Brand-new stores on a tight budget |
A theme is just one piece of a store. If your readers are starting a dropshipping store, my Spocket review and my AliDrop review cover where the products come from.
For print-on-demand stores, my Gelato review is a good match for a premium theme.
Here's the short answer. If you've outgrown the free themes and want a store that looks the part, Pixel Union is a solid place to start.
How to Make Money with Pixel Union as an Affiliate
The Pixel Union Partner Program covers all four brands, and the main terms are listed on its partner page.
The Commission
Pixel Union pays 15% on eligible theme sales from Pixel Union, Out of the Sandbox, Archetype, and Clean Canvas. Themes are one-time purchases, so that's a one-time commission per sale.
It also pays 15% on Theme Updater & Backups plans, recurring for 12 months. That's the recurring piece of the program.
A few other details:
- The program runs on PartnerStack
- Payouts are monthly, by PayPal or bank transfer
- The minimum payout is PartnerStack's standard $5
- No minimum traffic or sales quota to join
- Agencies, freelancers, developers, and content creators can apply
The partner page lists a 90-day attribution window in one spot, and a 12-month window in another. Check which one applies in your PartnerStack dashboard once you're approved.
What does 15% look like? On a $350 theme, that's about $52 per sale. Not life-changing on its own, but it adds up if you build stores for clients or rank for theme keywords.
Content Angles That Work
1. Theme reviews. "Empire Shopify theme review" or "Turbo theme review" are searches made by people with their wallet out. Show the theme on a real store and be honest about who it's for.
2. Best-of lists. "Best Shopify themes for large catalogs" or "best Shopify themes for clothing stores." Recommend the right theme for each type of store.
3. Store build tutorials. Walk readers through building a store from scratch: theme, products, and apps. Pair it with tools like the ones in my UpPromote review so they can recruit their own affiliates.
Keyword Ideas
- Pixel Union review
- Empire Shopify theme review
- Out of the Sandbox Turbo review
- Best premium Shopify themes
- Best Shopify theme for large catalogs
- Pixel Union vs Out of the Sandbox
Comparison and "best of" posts tend to convert well, because the reader is already deciding.
Common Questions About Pixel Union
How much do Pixel Union themes cost?
Right now, Pixel Union themes range from $100 (Startup) to $360 (Empire and Tailor). It's a one-time purchase.
Can I try a Pixel Union theme for free?
Yes. Each theme page has a "Try theme for free" button, so you can preview it in your own Shopify store before you buy.
Are Pixel Union and Out of the Sandbox the same company?
They're sister brands, along with Archetype and Clean Canvas. They share one partner program.
Do Pixel Union themes include updates and support?
Pixel Union lists free theme updates and free customer support as features of its themes.
How much do Pixel Union affiliates earn?
15% on eligible theme sales across all four brands, and 15% on Theme Updater & Backups plans for 12 months. Payouts are monthly through PartnerStack, with a $5 minimum.
Final Thoughts
Pixel Union does one job well. It gives Shopify store owners a professional-looking store without hiring a designer.
Is it perfect? No. The themes aren't cheap for a brand-new store, and theme commissions are one-time, not recurring.
But if you write about Shopify or build stores for clients, it's an easy tool to recommend. And with one partner program covering four theme brands, it's a good one to have in your affiliate lineup.
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