---
title: "Image shell"
source: https://dev.pageseeder.com/reference/glossary/image_shell.html
description: "An outdated technique using documents as wrappers for images and metadata like credits and captions, now superseded by media templates with metadata elements."
last_updated: 2026-09-05T17:34:50+10:00
tokens: ~173
---

# Image shell

> **Note:** This technique is no longer recommended. The preferred alternative is to create a [media template](/guide/configuration/media_types.md) that includes the relevant metadata using the [\<metadata\> element](/psml/elements/element_metadata.md) instead.

An implementation technique that uses a document as a wrapper for one or more images, plus any associated metadata such as credits and captions. During editing, the image shell is referenced using a normal [cross-reference](/reference/glossary/cross_reference.md). However, when the document is [published](/reference/glossary/publish.md), the contents can be processed differently depending on the output format.