Layers work like clear sheets stacked on top of each other. A flyer might have a background photo on the bottom layer, a color band above it, then a headline, a logo and a phone number, each on its own layer. You can move, resize, hide, lock or change one layer without disturbing the others.
Layers are what make a design editable later. A flat image has to be redone when the price changes; a layered design only needs one text layer updated. More advanced editors add masks, which hide part of a layer, and blend modes, which change how layers mix.
Say a pizzeria called Two Rivers Pizza makes a weekly specials post. Because the design keeps the photo, the price and the dates on separate layers, next week's version is a two-minute edit instead of a new design.
In aiKit, Magic Canvas has a layers panel to rename, hide, lock and reorder, and its AI layouts come back as real, editable layers. Pro Designer has pixel, text, shape, adjustment and group layers with masks and 16 blend modes, and saves projects with every layer.
Related terms
See it in practice
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Use caseAI tools for bakeries: specials, photos, videos and reviews
AI tools for bakeries: daily special posts, menu flyers, captioned videos and review asks from one account. Free to start with a monthly AI allowance.
Use caseReal estate flyer maker: just-listed flyers, posts and print PDFs
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Use caseAI product photos for online stores, with your real product
Put your real product in new scenes, keep it pixel for pixel, pick looks and sizes, and upscale for print. Free to start with a monthly AI allowance.