Last Updated: May 5, 2026
Key GRAPHICS & PATTERN LAYERS
Overview
In this lesson, you will learn how to set up the side panels layer for adult apparel sizes, starting from the Adult Large and then applying the same logic across the size run.
You will begin by reviewing the side-panel anatomy and understanding how the registration lines at the top and bottom of the sleeve opening and waist align to the sew lines. You will see how swapping the panel shape in the Primary symbol updates both sides automatically, and how to copy and paste the halftone artwork into the side panel layer so it follows that structure.
Next, you will practice grading and resizing the side panels across sizes using guides, so seams and registration points line up correctly for quality control. A key skill you will develop is using guide-based, center‑to‑center alignment to avoid misregistration on any size. You will finish with a visual QC pass and save the file once the full size set is consistent and aligned.
STEP-by-STep guide
1. Turn on the side panels layer and understand when the master already matches 0:00
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Turn on the side panels layer first.
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If the style uses the same master and the same 2D structure, the 2Ds may already be done.
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Example: TEC-T / 4003 / baseball short-sleeve styles can reuse the same master.
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If the style is different, expect misalignment and cleanup work.
2. Know the side panel variants and choose the right shape 1:12
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The side panel system includes multiple shapes:
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Straight for straight garments
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Curve for women’s styles
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Triangle for unusual shapes
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Other custom shapes like jagged or Boston
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These options are kept in the primary area for quick swapping.
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The primary side panel includes registration points at the top, bottom, and center line.
3. Set up the front panel and align the side panel to the garment 2:24
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Go to the front and confirm the correct size, such as adult large.
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Turn on the design box.
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Pull the side panel into position and line it up to the garment.
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Use the widest outside edge of the garment as the main alignment reference.
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Add a guide from the side ruler and center the side panel to that guide.
4. Swap side panel shapes and confirm the master updates 4:01
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If you need a different shape, replace the current side panel with another version:
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dark curve
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dark straight
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dark Boston
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triangle
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After swapping, return to the primary/front view to confirm both sides update.
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This is a quick way to test how the panel behaves across styles.
5. Fix the panel length so there is no overhang 5:44
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Extend the bottom line so the panel becomes one continuous piece.
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This prevents a visible overhang when the panel is dropped into the garment.
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The goal is to avoid any extra material showing on the jersey.
6. Confirm the correct size and set the symbol registration 8:13
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Verify the side panel is the correct size for the style.
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Check whether the placement matches where the claws or registration marks should sit.
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Set the height consistently, then center the symbol.
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Remove temporary pieces if needed so the symbol can be positioned cleanly.
7. Center the symbol and establish the registration line 11:12
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Double-click into the symbol.
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Move the symbol so its center aligns with the panel’s center line.
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This creates the registration line used for all versions.
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Make sure the symbol is centered both vertically and horizontally so the panel can be aligned consistently.
8. Move the halftone and front/back graphics into the side panel layer 13:14
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Copy the halftone into the side panel layer.
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Move the front graphic into the side panel layer as well.
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Do the same for the back graphic.
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Confirm the artwork is centered because the panel was set up center-to-center.
9. Replace incorrect sizes and verify the artwork sits correctly 15:38
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If the artwork is the wrong size, replace it with the correct version.
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Remove temporary guides and check whether the placement is still aligned.
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Verify the top and bottom values so the panel sits correctly in the artboard.
10. Use the large size as the model for the rest of the sizes 18:08
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Once the large is correct, use it as the template for the other sizes.
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Rename or duplicate as needed.
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Expect some sizes to look off at first; that is normal before resizing and re-registering.
11. Rebuild the side panel from scratch when needed 20:16
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If the current setup is messy, delete the incorrect pieces and start over.
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Copy the needed elements back in.
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Center the side panel and shrink it until it fits without showing overhang.
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Keep the panel visually centered before moving on.
12. Break apart the panel when the shape needs separate handling 22:32
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In some cases, the panel must be broken into separate pieces.
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Move the broken piece outside the group.
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Resize it until no extra material pokes out.
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This is useful when the shape needs more precise control.
13. Use clipping masks and guides to clean up the panel placement 23:38
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Turn off unnecessary layers like face/color/sleeve when checking alignment.
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Zoom in and verify the panel is centered.
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Use guides if needed to confirm the placement.
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Keep the panel hidden under the sleeve edge where appropriate.
14. Set up production guides before repeating the process 33:38
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Go to the production layer.
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Add vertical and horizontal guides.
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Use the widest outside edge and the sew line as reference points.
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These guides act as QC checkpoints and save time later.
15. Copy the guide setup across all artboards 35:06
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Paste the vertical guides into all artboards first.
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Then repeat for the remaining sizes.
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Doing this early prevents having to rebuild guides one by one later.
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This is part of the setup that makes the rest of the workflow faster.
16. Extract the old side panels and prepare the new clipping masks 38:27
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Remove the side panels from the old clipping masks.
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Extract the halftone/key graphic from the old size.
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Resize and place it into the new clipping mask size.
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The goal is to prepare each size so the final drag-and-drop work is minimal.
17. Use a failsafe: keep the new correct size at the bottom 41:00
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Paste the new, correct clipping mask size at the bottom of the layer stack.
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That way, you know which version is the correct one.
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Then remove the old graphic and old side panel pieces.
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This helps prevent deleting the newly corrected artwork by mistake.
18. Clean up old graphics and confirm the updated master is correct 44:15
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Delete leftover old graphics from the previous setup.
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If a size looks wrong, it may mean the primary master was not updated earlier.
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Fix the master so the same error does not repeat across every duplicated size.
19. Work in a snake pattern from large to small and back as needed 45:43
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The workflow is easier if you move in a snake pattern:
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start with the larger size
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complete all actions for that size
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move to smaller sizes
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then work back up as needed
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This reduces zooming in and out and keeps the process organized.
20. Resize the side panel by aligning top and bottom registration points 47:20
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Bring the side panel into position.
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Align the top first, then the bottom.
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Adjust until the panel is centered and the top/bottom spacing looks right.
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Once one side is correct, copy that sizing logic to the other matching pieces.
21. Match the left and right side panels so they sew cleanly 50:20
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Align the two pieces together and check that the spacing matches.
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Make sure the bottom gap and top alignment are consistent.
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The goal is to give the seamstresses the best chance to sew the pieces together cleanly.
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Repeat this for all side panels and all sizes.
22. Apply the final size to the remaining panels and verify back alignment 55:54
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Once the left side panel is finalized, apply that size to the front right, back right, and back left side panels.
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Align the front to the sew line and the back to the armpit sew line.
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The back may be slightly longer at the bottom, which is acceptable because of how it is sewn and flipped.
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Check the bottom edge to confirm the panel still has enough length.
23. Catch misalignment early and correct it before moving on 01:01:22
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Always verify the panel before continuing.
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Some styles have a wider back than front, so the center line may need to shift.
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If the back is not aligned, adjust it before duplicating the setup to other sizes.
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This prevents repeated errors across the rest of the workflow.
24. Finish the remaining sizes and keep checking alignment 01:03:12
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Continue through the remaining sizes one by one.
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Use the guides to confirm the panel is centered and registered correctly.
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If something looks off, stop and correct it before copying the setup forward.
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The process is repetitive, but it ensures consistency across all sizes.
25. Final quality check and save 01:39:28
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Do one last QC pass.
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Zoom out and review all side panels together.
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Confirm the panels look consistent and properly aligned.
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Save the file when everything looks correct.