3Designing Your First Label
Starting from this chapter, we'll get hands-on. We'll create a simple label step by step.
3.1 Create a New Label File
Launch the software β Double-click the "Abiao Label Designer" icon on your desktop. Wait a moment for the main interface to appear.
Click "New" β Go to File β New, or click the blank paper icon on the toolbar.
Set label dimensions β A dialog appears. Enter your label size:
- Width: label width in mm (e.g. 100)
- Height: label height in mm (e.g. 60)
- Orientation: Portrait or Landscape
- Background color: optional (default is white)
Set layout (optional) β If you're using media with multiple labels per sheet (e.g. 24 labels on A4), set the rows, columns, and gaps here.
Click "OK" β A blank label appears on the canvas. Ready to design!
π About label size: If unsure, measure your label stock with a ruler. Common sizes:
40Γ30mm (small price tags), 100Γ60mm (shipping labels), 70Γ50mm (product labels), A4 full sheet (210Γ297mm).
Size can be changed later (File β Page Setup).
40Γ30mm (small price tags), 100Γ60mm (shipping labels), 70Γ50mm (product labels), A4 full sheet (210Γ297mm).
Size can be changed later (File β Page Setup).
3.2 Add a Component
Now we have a blank label. Let's add something to it. We'll start with text:
In the Component Toolbox on the left, find "Text" (icon: a capital T).
Method 1 (drag): Hold the left mouse button, drag "Text" from the toolbox to the canvas, and release.
Method 2 (double-click): Double-click "Text" in the toolbox β it automatically appears at the center of the canvas.
Method 2 (double-click): Double-click "Text" in the toolbox β it automatically appears at the center of the canvas.
A box with a dashed border appears on the canvas showing "Text". You've successfully added a text component.
Edit the text: Double-click the "Text" on the canvas, or find the "Text Content" field in the Properties Panel on the right. Change "Text" to whatever you want, e.g. "Hello Abiao!".
3.3 Manipulating Components on the Canvas
| Action | How to Do It |
|---|---|
| Move | Hold left mouse button on the component (not on the edge) and drag |
| Resize | Move cursor to edge or corner until it becomes a double-arrow, then drag |
| Select | Single-click (selected component shows 8 small square handles) |
| Select multiple | Hold Shift and click each; or drag a selection box on blank canvas area |
| Copy component | Select and press Ctrl + C, then Ctrl + V |
| Delete component | Select and press Delete |
| Duplicate in place | Press Ctrl + D to copy at the same position (then drag apart) |
| Nudge position | Press arrow keys β β β β β 1 pixel per press |
| Fast nudge | Hold Shift + arrow keys β 10 pixels per press |
π‘ New user tip: Made a mistake? Press Ctrl + Z to undo! Don't like the result? Undo it.
3.4 Save Your Label
Click File β Save or the floppy disk icon on the toolbar.
First time saving? A "Save As" dialog will appear. Choose the location and file name.
File type: "Abiao Label Template (*.iba)". Give it a name (e.g. "My First Label") and click "Save".
You can open this .iba file anytime to continue editing.