Layers #

The Layers tool allows customers to select, organize, and control the stacking order of design elements in the Design Studio. It is especially useful when a design contains multiple overlapping objects that are difficult to select directly on the canvas.

Each text, photo, artwork, QR code, barcode, or other design object is represented as a separate layer. The order of these layers determines which elements appear in front of or behind other elements.

What Is a Layer? #

A layer represents one design element added to the current design.

Common layer types include:

• Text
• Photos
• Artwork
• QR codes
• Barcodes
• Team names and numbers
• Template elements

When several elements overlap, their layer order controls how they are displayed.

For example:

Top Layer:       Logo
Middle Layer:    Text
Bottom Layer:    Background Artwork

The logo appears above the text, while the background artwork remains behind both elements.

Open the Layers Panel #

To manage design layers:

1. Open the Design Studio.
2. Add one or more design elements.
3. Select Layers from the Design Studio tools.
4. The Layers panel displays all elements in the current design.

Each item in the list represents an individual object on the design canvas.

Select and Activate a Layer #

Click a layer in the Layers panel to select it.

The selected layer will:

• Become the active object
• Be highlighted in the layer list
• Be selected on the design canvas
• Display its available editing options

This is useful when an object is:

• Hidden behind another object
• Very small
• Transparent
• Difficult to select directly
• Part of a complex design

Selecting a layer from the Layers panel activates the corresponding object and its editing controls automatically.

Move a Layer Up #

Move a layer upward in the list when you want the element to appear above another design object.

For example:

Before:

Text
Logo

After moving Logo up:

Logo
Text

The logo will now appear in front of the text.

To move a layer:

1. Open the Layers panel.
2. Locate the layer you want to move.
3. Drag it upward in the list.
4. Drop it in the desired position.

The higher a layer appears in the list, the further forward it appears on the design canvas.

Move a Layer Down #

Move a layer downward when you want the element to appear behind another object.

For example:

Before:

Artwork
Text

After moving Artwork down:

Text
Artwork

The artwork will now appear behind the text.

To move a layer down:

1. Open the Layers panel.
2. Select the required layer.
3. Drag it downward.
4. Drop it below the desired layer.

The lower a layer appears in the list, the further behind it appears on the design canvas.

Change Layer Order with button #

The Layers panel supports button sorting.

To reorder layers:

1. Click and hold the layer.
2. Drag it to a new position.
3. Release it when the position indicator appears.

The Design Studio updates the canvas immediately.

You can use this method to:

• Bring an object above another object
• Send an object behind another object
• Arrange backgrounds and foreground elements
• Correct overlapping design content

Top and Bottom Layers #

The layer at the top of the list appears above all other design elements.

The layer at the bottom appears behind all other elements.

Example:

Top
│
├── Highlight Artwork
├── Customer Text
├── Customer Photo
└── Background Artwork
│
Bottom

In this example:

• The highlight artwork appears above everything.
• The background artwork remains behind the complete design.

Selecting Overlapping Elements #

When several objects overlap, clicking directly on the canvas may select the wrong object.

Use the Layers panel to select the exact object you want to edit.

For example, a design may contain:

Photo
Text
Transparent Artwork
Background

Even if the text is hidden behind the photo, you can select the text directly from the Layers panel and then move or edit it.

This makes the Layers tool especially useful for detailed or multi-element templates.

Edit an Active Layer #

After selecting a layer, you can use the available object options to modify it.

Depending on the element type, you may be able to:

• Move
• Resize
• Rotate
• Change color
• Edit text
• Crop a photo
• Duplicate the element
• Delete the element
• Change its layer position

The available controls depend on the selected object type.

Example Layer Workflow #

Suppose a customer creates a product design containing:

• A background graphic
• A photo
• A customer name
• A decorative frame

The correct layer order may be:

Decorative Frame
Customer Name
Photo
Background Graphic

If the frame appears behind the photo:

1. Open the Layers panel.
2. Select the Decorative Frame layer.
3. Drag it to the top of the list.
4. Confirm that the frame now appears above the photo.

Common Problems #

An element is hidden #

The element may be behind another layer.

Open the Layers panel and move the hidden layer upward.

The wrong object is selected #

Use the Layers panel instead of clicking directly on the canvas.

Click the exact layer you want to activate.

A background covers the design #

The background layer is positioned too high.

Move it to the bottom of the layer list.

Text appears behind a photo #

Move the text layer above the photo layer.

The layer order does not change #

Make sure you drag the layer to a different list position and release it when the position indicator appears.

Best Practices #

For easier layer management:

• Keep background elements at the bottom.
• Keep highlights, frames, and foreground effects near the top.
• Use the Layers panel when objects overlap.
• Arrange layers immediately after adding complex design elements.
• Verify the final order before adding the product to the cart.
• Test all product views when a product contains multiple Design Areas.

The Layers tool provides precise control over every object in the design. By selecting active layers and changing their stacking order, customers can build more organized, accurate, and professional product designs.