How to arrange image layers for a client proposal

A proposal can feel cluttered when photos, logos, and labels compete for attention, or when one image accidentally covers another. A clear layer order helps the reader see the main idea first and follow the page naturally.

Use the Photo Editor to arrange separate image layers, add text, and make basic adjustments in your browser. Start with a copy of your source files so you can return to them if the layout changes.

Arrange the layers

1. Open the Photo Editor and load the proposal image or canvas you want to work on. Keep your original photos and logo files unchanged so you can use them again.
2. Decide what the client should notice first. Put the main product, location, or project image in the most prominent position, and treat supporting images as secondary.
3. Build the composition from the background forward. Place the background or large base image first, then add supporting photos, graphic details, and finally labels or other text.
4. Select each layer and position it on the canvas. Leave enough space between elements that the main image, logo, and text do not compete or overlap unintentionally.
5. Check the layer order in the layer list. Move a layer forward if it should appear over another element, or behind it if it is meant to sit in the background.
6. Zoom out to view the whole page, then inspect important details closer. Check that the logo is recognizable, text is readable, and no key part of a photo is hidden.

A layer is an individual image or element that can be arranged independently of the others. Keeping photos, labels, and decorative elements on separate layers makes revisions easier than combining everything into one flat image too early.

Choose a layer order that fits the proposal

The main image should lead

Give the most important photo enough area and visual space to attract attention. Supporting images can explain details, show alternate views, or add context, but they should not be so large or prominent that the client has to guess which image matters most.

The logo should be visible but not dominant

Place the logo above the background and away from busy image details when possible. Keep it clear of important subjects and proposal text. If it disappears against the photo, try a less busy placement or use a simpler background area rather than covering more of the image.

Text needs a calm area

Labels and short notes are easier to read when they sit over a relatively quiet part of the composition. Avoid placing small text across faces, product details, or high-contrast edges. If the page feels crowded, shorten the label or move it beside the image it describes.

Decorative elements should stay in the background

Lines, shapes, and secondary images can help connect parts of a proposal, but they should not look like the subject. Keep them visually restrained and place them behind the main content when that makes the hierarchy clearer.

Fix common layer problems

1. Move the wrong element forward or back. Select the layer that is covering the wrong content, then change its position in the layer order. Check the overlap again at normal viewing size.
2. Give the main subject more room. If the page feels crowded, reposition supporting images or reduce how much space they occupy. Keep the main subject prominent instead of shrinking every element equally.
3. Separate text from busy details. Move a label to a calmer area, or use a selection and brush edit to prepare a less distracting area behind it. The Photo Editor also offers adjustments and filters, which can help refine an image, but avoid changes that make the proposal photo misleading.
4. Remove visual competition. Reconsider extra decorative layers or duplicate-looking images that do not add useful information. A proposal usually reads better when each element has a clear purpose.
5. Check the page edges. Look for logos, labels, or important image details placed too close to the canvas edge. Move them inward enough to remain visible in the final presentation or print.
6. Review the full page again. Zoom out and give the layout a quick scan from top to bottom. If your eye jumps between several elements, reduce the prominence of supporting details or adjust their placement.

Keep the proposal easy to revise

Preserve separate layers while the client may still request changes. If the client asks to swap a supporting photo, revise a label, or move the logo, independent elements are easier to adjust than a single flattened image. Avoid merging layers until you have finished arranging the composition and are confident you will not need to edit them separately.

Before sharing, inspect the page at the size the client will actually see. A label that looks readable while zoomed in may be too small on a laptop screen, and a logo that looks prominent at full zoom may disappear in a small preview. Photos and files opened in TooLab tools stay on your device.