---
title: "Printing technique configuration | Customer's Canvas Hub"
canonical: "https://customerscanvas.com/docs/hub/designers-manual/template-editor/how-to-create-designs/printing-technique/"
---

# Printing technique configuration

> You can configure printing techniques to define how designs are displayed and rendered based on different printing methods. This feature involves setting up [layers](https://customerscanvas.com/docs/hub/designers-manual/template-editor/how-to-create-designs/layers.md) (containers) with specific color and rendering rules: **Full Color**, **Limited Color**, and **Colorless**.

To use this feature, ensure that **LimitedColor containers** and **Palette management** are enabled in your tenant settings. If these features are not visible, contact [our support team](https://customerscanvas.com/account/cases/add).

After selecting a container (for example, *Main*), the **Constraints** and **Display & Rendering** panels will appear in the right-side properties menu.

![Layer properties.](images/layer-properties.png)

## Constraints

Constraints enforce design rules during editing the template, functioning similarly to preflight checks. The available constraints include:

| Constraint       | Description |
|------------------|-------------|
| **Raster Objects** | If **disabled**, prevents the use of raster images in the design. |
| **Resolution**    | Sets the **minimum required DPI** for raster images. |
| **Min Font Size** | Defines the **smallest allowed font size** to ensure readability. |

If a design element violates one or more constraints, a warning icon appears next to it on the canvas. Hover over the icon to see details about the issue.

![Layer constraint warnings.](images/constraint-warning.png)

## Display & Rendering

These settings control how designs appear in the workspace and how they render in the resulting print files (e.g., PDF). Three printing techniques (color modes) are available:

### 1. Full color

A standard **full-color mode** with support for **RGB** or **CMYK** color spaces.

![Full color container.](images/containers-full-color.png)

| Setting           | Description |
|------------------------|----------------|
| **Printing Color Space** | Choose between **RGB** or **CMYK**. |
| **Color Profile**       | Select a profile uploaded to your tenant for accurate color reproduction. |

### 2. Limited color

A **restricted color mode** for techniques with limited color options (e.g., screen printing, pad printing). Only colors from predefined palettes are allowed.

![Limited color container.](images/containers-limited-color.png)

| Setting         | Description |
|-----------------|-------------|
| **Max Colors**  | Sets the **maximum number of colors** allowed in the design. |
| **Palette**     | Select a **predefined color palette** from your tenant's assets. The editor will enforce these colors, preventing unauthorized additions. |

Note that the **Limited Color** mode is currently available only in the **Handy Editor**.

### 3. Colorless

A **monochrome/texture-based mode** for techniques like engraving, foil stamping, or embossing. All colors in images and text are replaced with a **single color or texture** for visibility, while the resulting print file renders as **monochrome (e.g., one-bit black-and-white format)**.

![Colorless container.](images/containers-colorless.png)

#### Dither

Dithering simulates shading in outputs (e.g., engraving, foil stamping) by applying patterns to create the illusion of gradients or textures.

| Setting       | Description |
|-------------------|-----------------------------------|
| **Type**          | Choose the dithering algorithm: **Diffusion**, **Pattern**, **Noise**, or **None**. The default value is **Diffusion**. |
| **Amount (%)**    | Controls the **intensity** of the **Diffusion** effect (0% = no dithering, 100% = maximum effect). The default value is **70**. |

Select from the following dithering types:

| Type      | Effect       | Best For                     | Appearance |
|---------------|---------------------------------|------------------|----------------|
| **Diffusion** | Creates smooth gradients using error diffusion (e.g., Floyd-Steinberg algorithm). | Photographic details, subtle shading. | ![Diffusion](images/containers-diffusion.png) |
| **Pattern**   | Uses ordered patterns (e.g., Bayer matrix) for structured dithering.  | Geometric designs, halftone effects. | ![Pattern](images/containers-pattern.png) |
| **Noise**     | Applies random noise for a grainy, textured appearance. | Organic textures, vintage effects. | ![Noise](images/containers-noise.png) |
| **None**      | Disables dithering (solid black/white or texture only). | Sharp, high-contrast designs.   | ![None](images/containers-nodither.png) |

#### Display type

A color or texture used in the editor to preview the results. Does not apply to objects in edit or move modes.

| Setting  | Description | Appearance |
|-------------|-----|-----------|
| **Color**   | Fills objects with a **solid color**. | ![Diffusion](images/containers-diffusion.png) |
| **Texture** | Applies a **tiled image** as a fill. | ![Diffusion](images/containers-texture.png) |

If **Color** is selected, the **Display Color** box appears. Click the color box to open a picker (supports **RGB** input, **black** by default).

For **Texture**, upload or select an image from your tenant. The texture tiles across the print area and remains fixed when objects are moved.

#### Output color

The color used in the **final rendered output**. Click the color box to open a picker (supports CMYK or RGB, depending on editor settings, **black** by default).