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Custom WordPress Gallery Plugin (Masonry, Boards, Filters & Shop Mode)

I had a client who wanted a gallery for their website, in the end they wanted something completely different but rather than delete it here is my custom WordPress gallery plugin as part of my Web Workbench system.

Like many of the projects I build, it started with a practical problem. I wanted a gallery that could display images in different ways, organise them into collections, and remain lightweight without relying on multiple plugins.

The result is a shortcode-based WordPress gallery plugin that supports multiple layouts, filtering, image organisation, lightbox viewing, and optional WooCommerce integration.y.

Testing with Real Galleries

To test the plugin properly, I downloaded around 60 royalty-free images and organised them into multiple boards.

Rather than simply displaying a wall of images, the board system allows galleries to be grouped into themed collections.

For the demonstration gallery I created:

• Flowers Masonry
• Flowers slider
• All Images (random) Masonry

This made it possible to test filtering, gallery organisation, and navigation using realistic image collections rather than a handful of sample images.

Flowers Masonry Gallery

The first demonstration uses a masonry layout displaying images from the Flowers board.

Masonry mode automatically arranges images of different sizes into an organised grid while making efficient use of available space.

This layout works particularly well for photography, portfolios, and image collections where images have varying dimensions.

Flowers Slider Gallery

The same Flowers board can also be displayed as a slider.

Slider mode allows visitors to browse images one at a time while keeping the page layout compact.

This is useful when highlighting featured images or when a more controlled viewing experience is preferred.

All Images Masonry Gallery

This gallery displays all images from the test collection.

Using a larger mixed-image gallery helps demonstrate how the plugin performs when displaying a greater number of images across multiple categories and image sizes.

The gallery used during testing contains approximately 60 images.

Lightbox Features

All gallery modes support the built-in lightbox system. Also includes a enable disable in settings.

• Fullscreen image viewing
• Optional zoom support
• Zoom controls
• Gesture-based zoom slider
• Magnifying-glass zoom hint
• Multiple arrow positioning options
• Sweep mode navigation

The aim is to provide a complete viewing experience without requiring a separate lightbox plugin.

Performance Features

The plugin includes optional lazy loading to help improve performance when displaying larger image collections.

When enabled:

• Images load only when required
• Initial page rendering is faster
• Bandwidth usage is reduced

This is particularly useful for image-heavy galleries.

Shortcode Integration

A short intro before the body. Click any field to edit.

The plugin is shortcode-based and can be inserted into posts, pages, landing pages, or existing WordPress themes.

Because it uses standard WordPress shortcode functionality, it is not tied to a specific theme or page builder.

This allows galleries to be placed wherever they are needed while remaining easy to manage.

Image Protection

An optional Strict Mode is available for users who want to discourage casual image saving.

When enabled:

• Right-click actions are blocked
• Image dragging is disabled
• Image selection is restricted
• Lightbox protection is applied

This should be viewed as a deterrent rather than true copy protection.

Shop Mode

The plugin also includes an optional Shop Mode for WooCommerce users.

When enabled:

• Strict Mode is activated automatically
• Watermarking is enabled
• Images can be linked to WooCommerce products
• Buy buttons can appear directly on gallery images

This provides a simple route for photographers, artists, and creators who wish to sell prints or image-based products.

Download

A downloadable ZIP version of the plugin is available below.


Download Custom Gallery Wordpress Plugin

Current Status

The gallery plugin is currently being tested and refined as new requirements emerge.

The demonstrations shown on this page are part of that process and provide real-world examples of the different layouts, boards, filtering options, and lightbox features currently available.

Like many Web Workbench projects, the plugin will continue to evolve as new ideas and use cases appear.

If you decide to try the plugin, I'd love to hear how it works for you and what features you would find useful in future versions. Feel free to get in touch and share your feedback or project ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Gallery Plugin

Find answers to common questions about the custom WordPress gallery plugin, its features, and how it works.

What is the Custom WordPress Gallery Plugin?

It's a shortcode-based WordPress gallery plugin designed to display images in various ways. It originated from a need for a lightweight, flexible gallery solution without relying on multiple other plugins.

What gallery layouts does the plugin support?

The plugin supports multiple layouts, including Masonry and Slider modes. Masonry is ideal for images of varying sizes, while Slider mode offers a compact, one-at-a-time viewing experience.

Can I organize images into collections with this plugin?

Yes, the plugin features a board system that allows you to group galleries into themed collections. This makes testing filtering and navigation with realistic image sets possible.

Does the plugin include a lightbox feature?

Yes, all gallery modes support a built-in lightbox system for fullscreen image viewing, with optional zoom support and gesture controls. This aims to provide a complete viewing experience without needing a separate plugin.

How does the plugin handle performance for large galleries?

The plugin includes optional lazy loading, which helps improve performance by loading images only when they are needed. This leads to faster initial page rendering and reduced bandwidth usage, especially for image-heavy galleries.

Is there a way to protect images from being saved?

An optional Strict Mode is available to discourage casual image saving by blocking right-click actions, disabling dragging, and restricting selection. It also applies lightbox protection and is automatically activated when Shop Mode is enabled.

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Published By Tudor Gibson

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