---
name: vpc-vsi_is_prepare_custom_image_import
title: Preparing a custom image for import
description: Before you can upload your image to IBM Cloud Object Storage, you must first create the image. After the image is created and uploaded to IBM Cloud Object Storage, then you can Import your custom image into VPC.
last-updated: 2025-05-23
---

> ## Documentation Index
> The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?format=markdown
> The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use these files to discover more information as needed.

# Preparing a custom image for import
{: #prepare-custom-image-import}

Before you can upload your image to IBM Cloud Object Storage, you must first create the image. After the image is created and uploaded to IBM Cloud Object Storage, then you can [Import your custom image into VPC](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-importing-custom-images-vpc&format=markdown).
{: shortdesc}

Use one of the following procedures to create a custom image.

* [Creating a Linux custom image](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-create-linux-custom-image&format=markdown)
* [Creating a Windows custom image](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-create-windows-custom-image&format=markdown)
* [Migrating a virtual server from the classic infrastructure](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-migrate-vsi-to-vpc&format=markdown)
* [Creating a z/OS Wazi aaS custom image](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-create-zos-custom-image&format=markdown)

Did you know that you can use the IBM Cloud® [Packer plug-in](https://github.com/IBM/packer-plugin-ibmcloud){: external} to create and manage custom images on IBM Cloud®? For more information, see [A sample VPC custom image built with Packer](https://github.com/l2fprod/vpc-custom-image){: external}.
{: tip}