## Theme Installation

Product: Monogram - Personal Portfolio WordPress Theme
URL: https://hub.jkdevstudio.com/docs/monogram/installation/theme-installation
Updated: 2026-09-12

There are two ways to install the Monogram theme on your WordPress site: through the WordPress dashboard (recommended) or via FTP/SFTP for manual upload.

<div data-callout="info">

Make sure you have the `monogram.zip` file ready. If you downloaded the full package from ThemeForest, unzip it first and locate the `monogram.zip` file inside. See \[Initial Download\](initial-download) for details.

</div>

## Method 1: WordPress Dashboard Upload (Recommended)

This is the easiest and fastest method.

1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Go to **Appearance &gt; Themes**.
3. Click the **Add New** button at the top of the page.
4. Click the **Upload Theme** button.
5. Click **Choose File** and select the `monogram.zip` file from your computer.
6. Click **Install Now**.
7. Wait for the upload and installation to complete. This may take a minute depending on your server speed.
8. Once installed, click **Activate** to activate the Monogram theme.

<div data-callout="warning">

If you see an error like "The uploaded file exceeds the upload\_max\_filesize directive in php.ini," your server upload limit is too low. See \[Server Requirements\](server-requirements) for instructions on increasing PHP limits, or use the FTP method below.

</div>

## Method 2: FTP/SFTP Upload

Use this method if the dashboard upload fails due to file size limits, or if you prefer manual control.

1. Unzip the `monogram.zip` file on your computer. You should see a folder named `monogram`.
2. Open your FTP/SFTP client (such as FileZilla, Cyberduck, or Transmit).
3. Connect to your web server using the FTP credentials provided by your hosting provider.
4. Navigate to the `/wp-content/themes/` directory on your server.
5. Upload the entire `monogram` folder into the `themes` directory.
6. Wait for all files to finish uploading.
7. Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to **Appearance &gt; Themes**.
8. Find the Monogram theme and click **Activate**.

## After Activation

Once Monogram is activated, you will see:

- A **notification bar** at the top of your dashboard prompting you to install required plugins. This is the TGMPA plugin installer - follow the prompts to install JKDEVKIT, Advanced Custom Fields PRO, Kirki, and Elementor.
- The **Monogram theme** listed as your active theme under **Appearance &gt; Themes**.

## Troubleshooting

### "Are you sure you want to do this?" error

This usually means the `.zip` file is too large for your server upload limit. Try:

- Increasing `upload_max_filesize` and `post_max_size` in your PHP settings (see [Server Requirements](server-requirements)).
- Using the FTP method instead.

### "The package could not be installed. The theme is missing the style.css stylesheet" error

You are uploading the wrong file. Make sure you are uploading `monogram.zip` (the installable theme), not the full package `.zip` downloaded from ThemeForest. Unzip the full package first and find `monogram.zip` inside.

### White screen after activation

This is typically a PHP memory issue. Increase your PHP memory limit to at least 256 MB (see [Server Requirements](server-requirements)).

### Theme appears broken or unstyled

Make sure you have installed and activated all required plugins (JKDEVKIT, ACF PRO, Kirki, Elementor). The theme relies on these plugins for its core functionality.

## Next Steps

After installing and activating the theme:

1. [Activate your license](license-activation) to enable automatic updates and bundled plugins.
2. [Install the required plugins](https://hub.jkdevstudio.com/docs/monogram/installation/plugins-installation) via the TGMPA notification.
3. [Import demo content](https://hub.jkdevstudio.com/docs/monogram/installation/demo-content-import) to get started quickly.