Add layers and sublayers

Last updated on Sep 11, 2025

Learn how to add new layers and create sublayers to organize your artwork in Adobe Illustrator.

Try it in the app
Use the Layers panel to modify artwork in a few simple steps.

Select Window > Layers to open the Layers panel.

In the Layers panel, select the Create New Layer icon.

Note

In Illustrator, each new document includes a default layer.

To add a new layer above an existing one, select the layer you want it to appear above, and then select the Create New Layer icon.

To create a sublayer, select the layer within which you want to add the sublayer, and then select the Create New Sublayer icon.

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Layers overview

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