Work with layers

Last updated on Oct 23, 2025

Learn about layers in Adobe Express and what opening and rearranging layers mean.

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Try it in the app
Use any of your designs and work with layers in a few simple steps. 

Layers act as levels in your canvas where you can easily position images, videos, shapes, and other design elements. Layers allow you to establish a visual hierarchy and adjust the position of individual objects within your design. 

Open the layer panel

Layers are located in the right panel. Select the Layers   icon to open the layers panel.

Select the Layers icon on the right panel to open the Layers of your design and select the cross icon to close the Layers panel.
Use the Layers icon to open the Layers panel.

Rearrange layers

Bring a layer forward or send it backward by selecting the layer and moving it up or down. This adjusts the position of the corresponding object in your design.

In the Layers panel, a layer is selected and being dragged to change its position under another layer.
Select a layer and drag it up and down to adjust the position of the layer.

Note

You can also rearrange the order of the objects in the canvas. Select and right-click an object and choose one of these four options: Bring To FrontBring ForwardSend Backwards, or Send To Back.

Lock layers

You can lock a layer to avoid the objects getting easily moved on the canvas. You can lock a layer by simply selecting the layer and the More  Lock .

Select the three dot (More) icon above the selected layer and use the dropdown menu to select the Lock icon.
Use the Lock option to lock or unlock the layer to avoid any intentional changes on other layers than the intended one.