Advanced Designer Guide
Learn how to create professional custom labels with our drag-and-drop designer.
Open Advanced DesignerBeta Tool — Tablet & Desktop Only
The Advanced Designer is designed for use on tablet and desktop devices and may not function correctly on mobile phones. This tool is still in development and some features may not work as intended. If you experience any issues, please contact us and we'll endeavour to resolve them.
Interface Overview
Top Toolbar
New, Save, Load buttons • Undo/Redo • View controls (Grid, Ruler, Layers, Position) • Alignment tools • Zoom controls
Left Toolbar
Select (V) • Text (T) • Rectangle (R) • Circle (O) • Line (L) • Image/SVG (I)
Centre Canvas
Your design workspace with optional rulers and grid overlay. Click and drag to create elements.
Right Panel(s)
Label dimensions & material • Layers panel (toggle) • Position panel (toggle) • Layer type assignment • Pricing & Add to Cart
Getting Started
Choosing Your Canvas
In the right-hand settings panel, set your label dimensions (width and height in millimetres) using the number inputs. Select a material from the dropdown. The canvas in the centre shows exactly how your label will look with the chosen material colours.
Material Selection
Choose from our range of engraving laminate colours using the material dropdown in the right panel. The background colour represents the top layer, and any elements you add will be engraved to reveal the contrasting core colour.
Adding Elements
Text Tool — Aa icon (T)
Click the Text button (shows 'Aa' in a box) in the left toolbar, then click on the canvas to place text. You can also press T on your keyboard. Text appears in the material's engraving colour and is automatically centred when added — drag to reposition.
Rectangle Tool — □ icon (R)
Click the Rectangle button (square outline) in the left toolbar, or press R. Click and drag on the canvas to draw a rectangle. The live dimensions appear while you draw.
Circle Tool — ○ icon (O)
Click the Circle button (circle outline) in the left toolbar, or press O. Click and drag on the canvas to draw a circle. The diameter displays while you draw.
Line Tool — / icon (L)
Click the Line button (diagonal line) in the left toolbar, or press L. Click and drag to create lines for dividers or decorative elements.
Image/SVG Tool — 🖼 icon (I)
Click the Image button (picture icon with mountains) in the left toolbar, or press I. This opens the upload dialog where you can import your own SVG files for custom logos, symbols, or complete designs. SVGs are converted to paths suitable for laser engraving.
Working with Elements
Select Tool — cursor icon (V)
Click the Select button (arrow cursor icon) in the left toolbar, or press V. This is the default tool. Click any element on the canvas to select it. Selected elements show handles for resizing and rotating. Click the canvas background to deselect, or press Escape.
Moving
With the Select tool active, drag selected elements to reposition them. Use the arrow keys to nudge elements by 1 pixel, or hold Shift + arrow keys to nudge by 10 pixels.
Resizing
Drag the corner handles to resize elements. Dimension inputs appear on the element showing width and height in millimetres — type directly into these to set exact sizes. For shapes, you can lock the aspect ratio using the lock icon that appears at the corner.
Rotating
Use the rotation handle (circle above the element) to rotate. Elements snap to common angles (0°, 45°, 90°, etc.) for precision alignment.
Layers & Layer Types
Opening the Layers Panel
Click the 'Layers' button in the top toolbar to toggle the Layers panel on the right side of the screen. When active, the button turns red. The panel shows all elements and their stacking order.
Layer Types — Assign Layer Type buttons
Each element can be assigned a layer type which controls how it's processed for engraving. In the Layers panel, select an element then click one of the four 'Assign Layer Type' buttons: Default (grey), Background (blue), Cut (red), or Engrave (green).
Default Layer
Elements set to 'Default' (grey button) are in a neutral placeholder state. This is the initial setting for newly added elements before you assign them a specific purpose.
Background Layer
Elements set to 'Background' appear in the material's background (surface) colour. Use this for creating masked areas or visual guides that represent the unengraved surface.
Cut Layer
Elements set to 'Cut' (red button) are designated for through-cutting rather than surface engraving. Cut elements are only visible when placed on top of a Background layer element — use this for creating cutouts or shapes that need to be cut completely through the material.
Engrave Layer
Elements set to 'Engrave' (green button) are explicitly marked for engraving. Engrave elements are only visible when placed on top of a Background layer element — this helps create designs where engraved content appears within a masked background area.
Visibility & Reordering
Click the eye icon next to any element to toggle its visibility. Drag elements in the list to change their stacking order — items higher in the list appear on top.
Relative Positioning
Opening the Position Panel
Click the 'Position' button in the top toolbar to open the Relative Positioning panel on the right side. This advanced tool lets you precisely position elements relative to other elements.
How Relative Positioning Works
Select the element you want to move, then use the Position panel to place it at a specific distance from another element (the reference). This is useful for consistent spacing and precise layouts.
Choosing a Reference Object
In the 'Position relative to' dropdown, select which element you want to measure from. The list shows all objects on the canvas with their names and layer types.
Measure FROM (Reference Point)
Click one of the nine reference points (TL, TR, Center, BL, BR, etc.) on the reference object diagram. This is the point you'll measure FROM on the reference element — corners are labelled TL (top-left), TR (top-right), BL (bottom-left), BR (bottom-right).
Position TO (Target Point)
Click one of the nine points on the second diagram. This is the point on YOUR selected element that will be positioned relative to the reference point. For example, setting both to 'Center' will align the centres of both objects.
Offset Values
Enter X and Y offset values in millimetres. Positive values move inward (toward the reference), negative values move outward. After setting your options, click the red 'Apply Position' button to move the element.
Alignment Tools
Multi-Object Alignment
Select two or more objects (Ctrl+Click to add to selection), then use the alignment buttons in the top toolbar. There are six alignment icons: Align Left, Align Centre, Align Right (horizontal row), then Align Top, Align Middle, Align Bottom (second row). These buttons are greyed out until you have 2+ objects selected.
Smart Guides
As you drag elements, guide lines automatically appear when edges or centres align with other elements or the canvas centre.
Ruler & Grid
Toggle the 'Ruler' and 'Grid' buttons in the top toolbar to show measurement rulers along the edges and a grid overlay on the canvas. These help with precise positioning.
Text Options
Text Properties Panel
When you select a text element, a floating Text Properties panel appears near the canvas. This panel can be dragged to reposition it if needed.
Font Size
In the Text Properties panel, use the font size input to set text size in millimetres. The preview updates in real-time so you can see exactly how it will look.
Bold, Italic, Underline
Use the B, I, and U buttons in the Text Properties panel to toggle bold, italic, and underline formatting.
Text Alignment
Use the left-align, centre-align, and right-align buttons (horizontal lines icons) in the Text Properties panel for multi-line text alignment.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Saving & Exporting
New Design — + icon (grey button)
Click the 'New' button (+ icon) in the top toolbar to start a fresh design. If you have unsaved changes, you'll be prompted to save first.
Save to Account — ↓ icon (green button)
Click the green 'Save' button (download arrow icon) in the top toolbar to save designs to your account. You must be logged in. If you have unsaved changes, the button turns orange as a reminder. Saved designs appear in your account dashboard and can be loaded with one click.
Load from Account — ↑ icon (blue button)
Click the blue 'Load' button (upload arrow icon) in the top toolbar to open your saved designs. Select a design from the list to restore all elements, dimensions, and material selection exactly as you left them.
Undo/Redo — curved arrow icons
Use the Undo (left-curved arrow) and Redo (right-curved arrow) buttons in the top toolbar, or press Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+Y. These buttons are greyed out when there's nothing to undo or redo.
Add to Cart
When your design is complete, set your quantity in the right panel and click "Add to Cart". Your design is saved with the order and we produce the label exactly as shown in the preview.
Tips & Best Practices
Start with dimensions
Set your label size before adding elements. Changing dimensions later may require repositioning everything.
Use the preview
The canvas shows actual engraving colours. What you see is what you get — text and shapes appear in the engraved (core) colour.
Keep text readable
For small labels, use larger, bolder text. Fine details may not engrave clearly at very small sizes.
Save your work
Save designs to your account for easy access, or download as an .rbz3d file to keep a backup. You can re-open saved designs anytime.
Check margins
Keep important elements away from the very edge of the label. A small margin ensures nothing is cut off.
Test with quantity 1
Order a single label first to verify your design before ordering in bulk.
Important Notes
- • The preview shows actual engraving colours. Elements appear in the core (text) colour.
- • Very fine details or small text may not engrave clearly — keep important text at least 3mm tall.
- • SVG uploads are converted to paths. Complex gradients or effects may not transfer correctly.
- • Always download and save your design file before closing the browser.
Ready to design?
Put your knowledge into practice with the Advanced Designer.