Just like standard software, you will have access to free upgrades for your theme during the life of your theme’s version number. Any upgrade releases will be announced at our updates site.

Unless an upgrade is announced as a new-version upgrade, it can be assumed to be in-version (i.e. freely available). If you are not sure whether your current theme is within the latest version number, follow the New-version Upgrade instructions and we will provide you with the correct instructions accordingly.

In-version Upgrade

To apply an in-version upgrade:

1. Back up your current theme by downloading it as detailed in How do I back up my Big Cartel theme?
2. Download the upgraded theme package using the link provided in your original order notice, i.e. the same link you used to first retrieve your theme.
   • If your download limit has been reached contact Aarcade Support to have your limit reset.
   • If you would like Aarcade to install your upgrade, you can purchase a theme installation package from the shop.
3. Install your newly downloaded theme package – installing ALL theme files – as detailed by the support article How do I install my Big Cartel theme?
4. Re-apply your preferred font, colour and custom option settings. Note that you can open your backed up theme with the Open Theme File tool, to reference your old settings and customisations. Do not copy and paste your settings and customisations – unless you are copying your own custom CSS styles – as custom options and theme coding may change between upgrades.

New-version Upgrade

To apply a new-version upgrade:

1. Back up your current theme by downloading it as detailed in How do I back up my Big Cartel theme?
2. Request a theme version upgrade from the shop, and follow the instructions to purchase the upgrade once issued to you.
3. If you purchased your theme without installation, install your newly downloaded theme package – installing ALL theme files – as detailed by the support article How do I install my Big Cartel theme?
4. Re-apply your preferred font, colour and custom option settings. Note that you can open your backed up theme with the Open Theme File tool, to reference your old settings and customisations. Do not copy and paste your settings and customisations – unless you are copying your own custom CSS styles – as custom options and theme coding may change between upgrades.

Type Upgrade

To upgrade your type of theme – i.e. an Aarfie standard theme or Aarcade lite theme – to the latest Aarcade standard (full feature) version, you can submit an upgrade request at Big Cartel Theme Upgrade.

Will I lose my settings and customisations when I upgrade?

As explained in our article Will installing my new Big Cartel theme affect my products, pages or custom domain?, theme installation will have no affect upon your products (images, details, etc.), custom pages, shop settings or admin area.

However, installing / upgrading your theme will overwrite your theme colour and font settings as well as any other customisation you have made directly to your CSS and theme files (note that customisation added with the Insert Content method will not be overwritten – one of the reasons you should always use this method).

Because theme files are overwritten during upgrade, the instructions in this article include backing up your current theme – complete with all of your theme file customisations – and opening backed up files (if needed) to reference when reapplying customisations to your upgraded theme.

Aarcade’s installation service

Note that the above applies even if you order Aarcade’s installation service. In other words, if Aarcade is installing your upgrade:

1. It remains your responsibility to back up your theme as detailed within this article.
2. Aarcade’s installation service will be exactly as detailed in the article What is included in Aarcade's Big Cartel theme installation service? and will overwrite your theme colour and font settings as well as any other customisation you have made directly to your CSS and theme files.
3. It remains your responsibility to restore any colour, font and customisations from your previous theme version, as detailed within this article.
4. Aarcade does not provide any option or service to install your theme while maintaining your customisations – see Does Aarcade offer support or services for customisation of Big Cartel themes?