v0.19 — Applying Branding Layers

Last Updated: May 5, 2026

FINISHING LAYERS

Overview

In this lesson, you will learn how to set up and align branding placements using both Signature branding and Smack branding.

You will begin by turning on the branding layers and learning the placement rules: Smack branding is added to the front panel only, while Signature branding is placed on the back side panel and the left front sleeve. Using the Adult Large as the base size, verify the sleeve size, paste the player-information artwork into the appropriate branding layers, and set the default tag to Dark or Light based on the garment color.

You will then practice adjusting the placement and size of the branding, often to a scale of around 3, using the Direct Select tool to move the artwork within the clipping mask without shifting the mask itself. Finally, you will copy and paste the completed setup across all sizes and perform a quick quality check to confirm that alignment, scaling, and placement are consistent throughout the full-size run.

STEP-by-STep guide

1. Understand the branding types and where each one goes 0:00

• There are two branding types:

  • Signature branding (the default)

  • Smack branding

• Each branding type uses the same player-information placement logic, but the branding itself goes in different panel locations.

• Placement rules:

  • Signature branding: goes on the back side panel and the left front sleeve

  • Smack branding: goes on the front panel only

• Start by turning on the branding layer so you can work inside the correct folders.

2. Set up the Signature branding on the sleeve and back 0:57

• Begin with the Adult Large size as the example.

• For the left sleeve:

  • Copy the player information into the sleeve area.

  • Change the layer from Player Information Sleeve to Branding Left Sleeve.

  • Confirm the branding populates correctly inside the clipping mask.

  • Adjust the color tag if needed:

    • Default if it matches

    • Dark or Light if the sleeve color requires it

  • Fine-tune the size and position if needed.

• For the back side panel:

  • Copy the player information into the back panel.

  • Change the layer to Branding Back.

  • Adjust the size if the branding appears too large.

  • If the design includes halftones or multiple symbols, adjust carefully so both symbols stay aligned.

3. Set up the Smack branding on the front panel 6:25

• Go to the front panel.

• Copy the player information into the front branding area.

• Change the layer to Branding Front.

• Replace the design box if needed:

  • Double-click the branding area

  • Turn on the design box

  • Delete the old design box

  • Paste in the correct one

• Position the front branding where it fits best.

• If space is tight, adjust the back or other elements slightly to create more room.

4. Copy the branding setup across all sizes and panels 9:38

• Once the Adult Large example is correct, move to the 3D board and apply the same setup to the other sizes.

• Copy and paste the player information into each relevant panel:

  • Sleeve

  • Back

  • Front

• The goal is to replace a symbol with a symbol rather than rebuilding the layout from scratch.

• This saves time because you do not need to redo the extracting or side-panel-building process.

• If a pasted item does not land inside the correct layer automatically, manually drag it into the proper folder.

5. Make sure each pasted item is inside the correct branding layer 14:02

• Sometimes the clipping mask or pasted artwork does not land in the correct layer automatically.

• If that happens:

  • Manually drag the artwork into the correct folder

  • Make sure it sits under the correct branding layer

• Open the relevant folders as needed so you can verify placement.

• Repeat this for:

  • Signature sleeve

  • Signature back

  • Smack front

• The key is to keep the artwork organized under the correct branding section before making symbol changes.

6. Change the symbols for all branding layers at once 17:39

• After the artwork is in the correct folders, open the branding layers you need.

• Click the branding symbol for the relevant panel.

• Change the symbol once so it updates across all matching instances.

• Important reminder:

  • Only change the branding symbol

  • Do not change the player information layer by mistake

• A helpful workflow is to close unnecessary layers so you don’t accidentally edit the wrong item.

• Example: choose the correct branding sleeve symbol and let it update everywhere it appears.

7. Adjust vertical alignment inside clipping masks using the Direct Select tool 23:01

• If the branding or numbers sit too high or too low inside the clipping mask, do not drag the whole clipping mask.

• Instead, use the Direct Select tool.

• With Direct Select:

  • Click the branding content inside the mask

  • Move the content, not the mask itself

  • Adjust one or both symbols as needed

• This is especially important when the branding has multiple symbols that need to stay aligned.

• The clipping mask should stay fixed while the content inside it is repositioned.

8. Finish the sleeve adjustments and verify both sides 32:05

• For the sleeve, adjust the branding and numbers together when needed.

• Move the branding, number, and any related elements at the same time so they stay aligned.

• Repeat the process for both sleeves.

• Once the sleeve branding is aligned, move on to the back panels.

• The back branding usually aligns more easily than the sleeves because sleeves have cuffs and other shape constraints.

9. Apply and verify the back branding 35:18

• Open the player back layers.

• Make sure you are editing the branding layer, not the player info layer.

• Change the symbol to Branding Back.

• The back branding should auto-align correctly.

• Usually, no extra adjustment is needed on the back unless something is visibly off.

10. Apply and verify the front branding 37:18

• Open the front layers.

• Change the symbol to Branding Front.

• Confirm the front branding appears correctly.

• At this stage, you should have:

  • Signature branding on the back and sleeve

  • Smack branding on the front

• Do a quick quality check before turning anything off.

11. Quality check and final tweaks 38:30

• Review the full garment visually.

• Check:

  • Alignment

  • Height/vertical placement

  • Whether the branding sits naturally on the shoulder or sleeve area

• If the sleeve branding looks too high, adjust it downward.

• Compare sleeve lengths if something looks off, since different sleeve lengths can affect the visual placement.

• Make final spacing tweaks until the branding looks balanced.

12. Save the file and finish 48:08

• Once everything looks correct:

  • Signature branding is in place on the sleeve and back

  • Smack branding is in place on the front

• Save the file.

• The branding setup is complete and ready for the next video or workflow step.