Variation attributes and attribute sets
Key Takeaway
Create attributes, group up to five of them into an attribute set, and add the set to a parent product. Finalize the set first, because you can't modify it after it's added to a product.
Variations let you sell one product in several versions, such as a shirt in different sizes and colors. You describe the differences with attributes, group the attributes into an attribute set, and add the set to a parent product. Each variation under that parent gets its own combination of attribute values and its own SKU. The attribute set also affects how variations appear in search results, so plan it carefully before you use it.
Attributes and attribute sets
A product often has several attributes. You group them into an attribute set and apply the set, instead of assigning attributes one at a time. Using a set keeps products consistent.
An attribute set can hold up to five variation attributes. A product variation can be assigned up to five attributes.
One attribute set can be used by many products. A product can be associated with only one attribute set.
A supplier sells five styles of work gloves. All of them vary by Size, Material and Cuff Style. The admin builds one Gloves attribute set and uses it for all five glove parent products. Each glove product is associated with the Gloves set and no other set, because a product can be associated with only one attribute set.