Marker Reference

• Last updated on December 29, 2023
• •
• 24 minutes to read

Markers are special symbols that you add to a layer name in Photoshop templates or to an element name in InDesign templates. The Design Editor uses these markers to manage permissions for each design element. Alternatively to markers in Photoshop and InDesign files, you can specify these permissions outside of templates in the JSON format. Also, the Design Editor supports shortcuts for both the markers and JSON definitions.

First, let us review the syntax of the markers. Each marker is enclosed in angle brackets (< ... >). Inside these brackets, there is a pair of a marker's name (usually, uppercase abbreviated) and a value, separated by an underscore (_). If there is no underscore (and, therefore, no value), for example <BG>, Design Editor uses a default value for this marker.

Markers are case insensitive. Most of the markers have t or f values that are either true or false. However, for certain markers, other value types may be applicable.

Now, let's look at the markers supported in Design Editor.

Manipulations

Note

Users can manipulate design elements only in the advanced editing mode.

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<MAD>	t | f	t	Allows Deleting. By default, your users can delete any element on the canvas in the advanced edit mode. <MAD_f> removes the Delete command from the editor's menus.
<MADND>	t | f	t	Allows Drag-N-Drop. By default, the editor enables the drag-and-drop mode for image placeholders when you specify the <PH><MAMH_f><MAMV_f> markers. For this marker combination, <MADND_f> disables dragging the content of placeholders.
<MAMH>	t | f	t	Allows Move Horizontal. Without this marker, your users can move design elements on the canvas.
<MAMV>	t | f	t	Allows Move Vertical. Without this marker, your users can move design elements on the canvas.
<MAR>	t | f	t	Allows Rotation. By default, your users can rotate elements. A round grip appears below bounding rectangles indicating that the rotation is allowed.
<MRC>	a | p		Defines how corner grips resize single design elements: a - enables corner grips and the arbitrary resize mode. p - enables corner grips and the proportional resize mode. By default, all design elements have corner grips on bounding rectangles allowing you to resize elements proportionally. To disable these grips and prevent resizing of the element, specify <MRC>.
<MRE>	t | f	t	Enables edge grips on bounding rectangles allowing you to resize elements arbitrarily. By default, only rich formatted text and image placeholders can be arbitrarily resized.

Visualization

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<VNP>	t | f	t	No Print. By default, the Design Editor shows all design elements on the canvas, proof images, and high-resolution images. If you add <VNP> or <VNP_t> to a layer name, then the corresponding element appears only on the canvas. <VNP_f> results in the default behavior.
<VNS>	t | f	t	No Show. By default, the Design Editor shows all design elements on the canvas, proof images, and high-resolution images. If you add <VNS> or <VNS_t> to a layer name, then the corresponding element does not appear on the canvas but it is rendered on the print-ready file and proof images.

Text

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<ART>	t | f	t	Enables ARched Text based on the text on a path. Note that the path drawn in the template will be replaced with a circle or a line (when the bend is undefined). By default, text on a path appears as curved text.
<ARTB>	Float	0	ARched Text Bending defines the sector of the circle that is used to draw the text, in the range [-1, 1]. For example, <ARTB_1> defines a full circle (360 degrees), and <ARTB_-0.5> defines a semicircle (-180 degrees). Without this marker, the text is drawn in a line.
<AST>	t | f	t	Applies only to PSD templates. Automatically Scales Text to fit the bounding rectangle. This marker is only applied to point text and allows for arbitrary resizing such text. When you change the content of point text, the original text bounds remain unchanged and the text is scaled disproportionately to fit these bounds. By default, you can resize point text only proportionally.
<RT>	true | false | auto	true	Rich Text defines how the Design Editor handles paragraph text layers and text frames when LegacyTextEngineEnabled is True. Without this marker, they appear as formatted text. true - enables rich text formatting. false - enables plain formatting. auto - enables rich formatting only if it contains different styling.
<TACA>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Alignment of point text. <TACA_f> disables the horizontal alignment buttons in the Top Toolbar for the marked point text element. These buttons are enabled by default. If the textAlignmentButtonsEnabled property is false, then <TACA_t> has no effect.
<TACBIU>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Bold Italic Underline styles of point text. <TACBIU_f> disables the Faux bold, Faux italic, and Underlined buttons in the Top Toolbar for the marked point text element. These buttons are enabled by default. If the textEmphasisButtonsEnabled property is false, then <TACBIU_t> has no effect.
<TACCC>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Column Count for rich formatted text. Without this marker, you can change a column count that you initially set up using the <TCC> marker. <TACCC_f> disables the Columns box in the Top Toolbar.
<TACF>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Font of point text. <TACF_f> disables the Font name and Font style lists in the Top Toolbar for the marked point text element. These buttons are enabled by default. If the textFontFamilyButtonEnabled and textFontStyleButtonEnabled properties are false, then <TACF_t> has no effect.
<TACFC>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Font Color of point text. <TACFC_f> disables the Color picker in the Top Toolbar for the marked point text element. By default, the Color picker is enabled. If the textFontColorButtonEnabled property is false, then <TACFC_t> has no effect.
<TACFS>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Font Size of point text. <TACFS_f> disables the Font size box in the Top Toolbar for the marked point text element. By default, this box is enabled. If the textFontSizeButtonEnabled property is false, then <TACFS_t> has no effect.
<TACSTC>	t | f	t	Allows Change Stroke Color. <TACSTC_f> disallows for changing the color of text stroke. In this case, the stroke color will be the same as the text color.
<TACT>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Text. <TACT_f> disallows for changing the content of both bounded and point text.
<TAESH>	t | f	t	Allows Editing Shadow. <TAESH_f> disables the Shadow button in the Top Toolbar for the marked point text element. By default, this button is enabled. If the textShadowButtonEnabled property is false, then <TAESH_t> has no effect.
<TAEST>	t | f	t	Allows Editing Stroke. <TAEST_f> disables the Stroke button in the Top Toolbar for the marked point text element. By default, this button is enabled. If the textStrokeButtonEnabled property is false, then <TAEST_t> has no effect.
<TATF>	true | false | null	true	Allows Text Formatting defines how to edit text elements: change only the content in a pop-up box or change both content and format in the Rich text editor. Without this marker, text will be edited depending on textFormattingEnabled. true - editing in the Rich text editor. false - editing in a pop-up box and Object Inspector. null - edits the text depending on the textFormattingEnabled parameter.
<TCC>	number	1	Applies only to PSD templates. Column Count of formatted text. For example, <TCC_2> defines two columns for the rich formatted text element. For details, refer to the Multi-column text topic.
<TCL>	number		Character Limit sets the maximum length of a text string which the user is allowed to enter into a rich formatted text element. By default, such a limit is not defined.
<TMLC>	number		Max Line Count sets the maximum number of lines that the user is allowed to enter into a point text or plain bounded text. By default, such a limit is not defined. For details, refer to the Text topic.
<TMLL>	number		Max Line Length sets the maximum number of characters that the user is allowed to enter into a single line of point text or plain bounded text. By default, such a limit is not defined. For details, refer to the Text topic.
<TOS>	clip | expandBox | fitToBox | fitToWidth	clip	Overflow Strategy defines how to change plain bounded or rich formatted text if it goes out of its bounds. By default, such a text is clipped. For details, refer to the Text topic. clip - while typing, crop the excessive text. Supports rich text formatting. expandBox - when the bottom of the bounding box is reached, then expand the bottom bound. Supports rich text formatting. fitToBox - when the end of a line is reached, move to the next line first, and when the bottom of the bounding box is reached, then shrink the text. Ignores rich text formatting. fitToWidth - when the end of a line is reached, shrink the text. Ignores rich text formatting.
<TPH>	t | f	t	Text Placeholder motivates a user to fill out a text element. It shows a prompt on the canvas and if not filled out, it appears neither in the hi-res output nor on proof images. This marker is applicable for both bounded and point text.
<TSM>	size	size	Shrink Mode of plain bounded text that goes out of its bounds and should be fitted. This marker changes the font size. Whithout this marker, such a text is clipped by default. For details, refer to the Text topic.
<TVA>	top | center | bottom	top	Defines Vertical Alignment for a text string in a text area: top - aligns a text string with the top bound of the text area. center - aligns a text string with the center of the text area. bottom - aligns a text string with the bottom bound of the rich formatted text area.

Shapes

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<SACBC>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Border Color. <SACBC_f> disables the Border color button in the Top Toolbar. This button defines a color of shapes. The shapes are both the shape design elements and bounding frames of images and image placeholders. If the borderColorButtonEnabled property is false, then <SACBC_t> has no effect.
<SACBW>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Border Width. <SACBW_f> disables the Border width button in the Top Toolbar. This button defines a width of shapes. The shapes are both the shape design elements and bounding frames of images and image placeholders.
<SACFC>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Fill Color. <SACFC_f> disables the Fill color button in the Top Toolbar. This button is available for shape layers only. Neither images nor image placeholders have a fill color.
<SR>	t | f	t	Rasterizes shape elements. <SR> converts shape layers and shape frames to rasterized images with a resolution specified in hiResOutputDpi. Without this marker, shape elements are imported as vector shapes.

Layers

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<LACO>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Opacity of layers. <LACO_f> disables the Opacity slider in the Top Toolbar. By default, this slider is enabled for all design elements. If the opacitySliderEnabled property is false, then <LACO_t> has no effect.
Setting up predefined values for layers
<IASF_folder>	text		Image from Allowed Subfolder. You can specify a subfolder in PublicSource, RemoteSource, or MemorySource. For example, <IASF_/europe_photos/> makes your users select an image from the europe_photos subfolder. This marker applies to both images and image placeholders. For details, see the Image placeholders topic.
<MVI>	number	1	Applies only to PSD templates. Multi-Value Item. For example, the <MVI_2> marker applies to a layer group that includes either image layers or text layers and displays the second element when the template opens. In the Design Editor, such a group represents a drop-down list so that your users can select its elements as the content for text fields or images. For details, see the Predefined multi-value Items topic.
<MVIKT>	t | f	t	Applies only to PSD templates. Multi-Value Item Keeps Transforms. By default, the <MVI> group takes the size and position of the first element. If you use <MVIKT> together with <MVI>, then every group element keeps transforms applied in PSD templates.

Images

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<AT>	text		Allowed Tabs specifies tabs from which your users can select the content for images and placeholders. The value of this marker is a comma-separated list of tab names. For example, <AT_My Files,Public files> allows the selection only from the My Files and Public files tabs. By default, users can select images from any tab.
<IACI>	t | f	t	Allows Changing the Images and the placeholder's content. <IACI_f> removes the Select image command from menus and toolbars and disallows the double-clicking to replace images. By default, users can replace both images and the content of image placeholders.
<IAKOC>	t | f	t	Allows you to Keep an Overlay Color for images and the placeholder's content. <IAKOC_t> keeps the color overlay effect of design elements being changed on the canvas, while <IAKOC_f> resets the color overlay specified in a template. By default, the editor resets an overlaying color when changing images.
<IAEI>	t | f	t	Allows for Editing Images and the placeholder's content. <IAEI_f> removes the Edit image command, which opens the Image Editor, from menus and toolbars. By default, users can edit both images and the content of image placeholders in the Image Editor.
<IE>	none | blackAndWhite | blackAndTransparent | grayscale | colorize | flipVertical | flipHorizontal	none	Image Effect allows the application of the black-and-white, grayscale, and flip effects to images, including image placeholders. When <IE_blackAndWhite> set up, the editor automatically converts a picture picked for an image layer to B&W. The <IE_colorize> effect converts images to grayscale and rasterized shapes to black-and-white and then applies a fill color to them using <IFC>, whereas <IE_grayscale> only converts images to grayscale. none - no effects apply. blackAndWhite - converts images to monochrome ones. blackAndTransparent - converts images to monochrome from black and transparent pixels. grayscale - converts images to grayscale. colorize - applies a fill color to images. flipVertical - flips images around the vertical axis. flipHorizontal - flips images around the horizontal axis.
<IFC>	text		Image Fill Color applies a CMYK or RGB color to grayscale images. Without this marker, the <IE_colorize> effect renders grayscale images white.
<RVC>	t | f	t	Deprecated, use <SR> instead. Applies only to PSD templates. Rasterizes Vector Content. <RVC_f> keeps the vector content of corresponding smart layers. Without this marker, the Design Editor imports vector graphics depending on the RasterizeVectorInSmartFrame parameter.

Image placeholders

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<PACM>	t | f	t	Allows Cover Mode when the user cannot pull the image out of the placeholder bounds or make it smaller than the placeholder itself. In this mode, you cannot arbitrarily resize or rotate images in the placeholder, however, you can rotate them 90 degrees using the Top Toolbar. By default, the cover mode is disabled for image placeholders. <PACM_t> enables this mode. In AppSettings.config, you can change the default behavior using the DefaultPlaceholderCoverModeEnabled key.
<PAEC>	t | f	t	Allows Edit Content. <PAEC_f> disallows manipulating the image placeholder's content. By default, the corresponding handle appears and indicates that users can manipulate the content.
<PCHA>	center | left | right	center	Aligns the Placeholder's Content Horizontally. By default, the editor centers the content when users select images. center - the center horizontal alignment. left - the left horizontal alignment. right - the right horizontal alignment.
<PCVA>	center | top | bottom	center	Aligns the Placeholder's Content Vertically. By default, the editor centers the content when users select images. center - the center vertical alignment. top - the top vertical alignment. bottom - the bottom vertical alignment.
<PH>	normal | empty | stub	normal	Enables placeholders based on image or shape layers. normal - the image with placeholder behavior. empty - an empty placeholder (without an image). stub - an image placeholder with a stub image; the stub image is not included in the high-resolution output.
<PHRM>	fit | fill | original	fit	Defines how an image inserted into the placeholder should be resized (Placeholder Resize Mode). Without this marker, the fit option is applied. For details, see the Image placeholders topic. fit - the image is resized proportionally to fit the placeholder; the resulting image size is equal to or smaller than the placeholder size. fill - the image is resized proportionally to fill the placeholder; the resulting image size is equal to or larger than the placeholder size. original - the image is placed in the center of the placeholder in its original size.
<PLID>	text		Placeholder Identifier allows a user to define linked image placeholders to share an image. For more information, see the Linked Image Placeholders topic.
<PSSB>	t | f	t	Shows the Select Button on a placeholder. By default, this button is enabled and allows users to replace images.

Barcode placeholders

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<BACC>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Content. By default, your users can edit barcodes. <BACC_f> removes the Edit command from the editor's menus.
<BACCL>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Color. By default, your users can change both the color and fill color of barcodes. <BACCL_f> removes the Select barcode color button from the Top Toolbar.
<BACT>	t | f	t	Allows Changing Type. Without this marker, your users cannot change the barcode type.
<BPH>	EAN-8 | EAN-13 | UPC-A | UPC-E | IMB | QR-CODE | CODE-128 | DATA-MATRIX	QR-CODE	Enables stub Barcode Placeholders based on image layers. Without this marker, Customer's Canvas imports barcodes as raster images.

Object inspector

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<OIAZC>	t | f	t	Allows Z-order Change in the Object Inspector. By default, the Z-order commands are enabled for all design elements. Note, if a design element has the <OIAZC_f> marker, then other elements cannot be moved across this one.
<OID>	t | f	t	Defines whether to Display an element in the Object Inspector. <OID_f> hides a marked element in the Object Inspector, whereas they are displayed by default.

Product themes

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<STYLE>	text		Style allows you to change colors and text properties of design elements in product templates. The value of this marker is a design element category. For example, <STYLE_FancyText> applies the FancyText style to the corresponding element. For details, see the Changing product theme topic.
<THMB>	img | border | fill | text | stroke | shadow | line | barcode		Theme binding allows for recoloring the design elements in product templates. For example, <THMB_img:images> binds the img property to the images theme color. For details, see the Changing product theme topic.

Spot containers

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<CN>	text		Container Name creates a channel container and a channel tab in the Object Inspector. For example, <CN_spotColor> creates a channel container with the spotColor name. This marker can be applied to a layer group in PSD templates and to a layer in IDML templates. Either <PSC> or <TFP> should be provided with this marker, otherwise <PSC> without the value will be applied. By default, regular layers belong to the Main container. For details, see the Post Press Finishing Layers topic.
<COC>	text		Container Output Color defines the color to be used for rendering texture and spot containers in PDF files. The value can be specifyed in RGB or CMYK color spaces. For example, <COC_cmyk(0%,0%,100%,0%)> enables yellow to render these containers. The default color is black.
<PSC>	text		Preview Spot Color specifies a preview color in the rgba(r,g,b,a) format for a channel container. For example, <CN_spot><PSC_rgb(255,0,0)> markers specify red color for the spot container. When you omit the value, rgb(255,0,255) (magenta) is applied by default.
<TFP>	text		Texture File Path creates a texture container. This value does not have underscores and is relative to the ..\assets\helpers\ folder.
<TK>	text		Translation Key allows localization of channel tab names in the Object Inspector. For example, <TK_ObjectInspector.SPOT_COLOR_CONTAINER> uses the SPOT_COLOR_CONTAINER key in ObjectInspector in your ~/Configuration/translations.json file.

Groups

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<AGRA>	left | top | right | bottom | center | none	none	Auto-layout Group Alignment aligns design elements in a group. By default, grouped elements are unaligned. left or top - align elements to the upper-left group corner. When defining permissions, use Start instead. right or bottom - align elements to the lower-right group corner. When defining permissions, use End instead. center - aligns elements to the group center. auto - applies the same alignment as in the template. none - leaves elements unaligned.
<AGRAP>	start | center | end	start	Auto-layout Group Anchor Point allows you to define a point relative to which the layout will be rearranged when nested elements appear or hide in the group. You can anchor the layout to the Start, Center, or End point. By default, the layout is anchored to the Start point. start - anchors the layout to the upper-left corner. center - anchors the layout to the center. end - anchors the layout to the lower-right corner.
<AGRM>	number	auto	Auto-layout Group Margin allows you to define spacing between elements in a group. By default, the elements will be placed at the same distance from each other.
<AGRO>	vertical | horizontal	auto	Auto-layout Group Orientation arranges design elements in a group vertically or horizontally. Without this marker, the elements are arranged depending on their position so that they fit the design.
<GR>	t | f | autolayout	t	Group defines how to import layer groups from product templates. Without this marker, layer groups are imported depending on the FlattenGroups parameter. t - creates a group object in the editor. f - splits a group into separate objects. autolayout - enables the auto layout.
<GARC>	t | f	t	Allows Replacing Content. Without this marker, your users can replace the contents of grouped design elements one by one. <GARC_t> allows them to replace the content of the entire group at once.

Violation warnings

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<VSAR>	t | f	t	Allows Region Violation. <VSAR_f> disables the region validation. By default, the violation warnings appear when a design element goes out of a region. This marker replaces the <ORWS> marker and can be used in the same way.
<VSASL>	t | f	t	Allows Safety Line Violation. <VSASL_f> disables the safety line validation. By default, the violation warnings appear when the user places a design element on the canvas too close to safety lines.
<VSAIQ>	t | f	t	Allows Image Quality Violation. <VSAIQ_f> disables the image quality validation. By default, the violation warnings appear when the user resizes images or adds a new image to the design, and the resolution of these images is too low.
<VSAS>	t | f	t	Allows Shape Violation. <VSAS_f> disables the validation of vector graphics. By default, the violation warnings appear when SVG or PDF graphics upload in the Shape mode with losses.
<VSATC>	t | f	t	Allows Text Crop. <VSATC_f> disables the text cropping validation. By default, the violation warnings appear when bounded text is cropped.
<VSABA>	t | f	t (f)	Allows Bleed Area Violation. An element with <VSABA> will display a warning if it overlays only trim lines. This marker disables the warning if the element represents the background item and overlays the trim line as well as the bleed line. If the value is not set, then it is true only if the element overlays the trim line. By default, the warnings appear when design elements get in the bleed area.
<VSAIT>	t | f	t	Enables In-place Text editing warnings. <VSAIT_f> disables the validation of unsupported text features. By default, the violation warnings appear when inPlaceNotSupportedWarningEnabled is true.

Miscellaneous

Marker	Possible values	Default value	Description
<BG>	t | f	t	Background adds a layer to the Background layer container. Such a layer always has a lower Z-order value than any layer edited by a user. It cannot be selected, edited, or deleted. By default, objects do not belong to the Background container.
<BGIMG>	text		Applies only to PSD templates. Background Image adds an image to the background layer. You can copy the image to your server and apply it to several PSD templates. For example, the <BGIMG_backgrounds/rose.jpg> marker sets the rose.jpg file as the design background. The file path is relative to the ..\assets\helpers\ folder.
<FG>	t | f	t	Foreground adds a layer to the Foreground layer container. Such a layer is always located above any regular layer (i.e. has a greater z-order). By default, objects do not belong to the Foreground container.
<FR>	t | f	t	Applies only to PSD templates. Frame decorates a placeholder. <FR> or <FR_t> can be added to a raster layer. For details, see the Placeholders with Frames topic.
<LC>	t | f	t	Locked. <LC> and <LC_t> disallow for editing the marked layers. Such layers are not displayed in the Object Inspector.
<PBT>	t | f	t	Applies only to PSD templates. Path Bounded Text sets up a shaped text. This marker can be applied to a layer group only. For details, see the Text Wrapping topic.
<R>	t | f	t	Region limits an editable area to a bounding box of a layer, either a raster or shape layer. Users will not be able to add any element outside of this region. A layer with this marker does not show in the Object Inspector.
<ROLC>	t | f		Applies only to PSD templates. Remove On Layout Change allows you to keep the position and content of design elements using <ROLC_f> and remove them using <ROLC_t> when changing layouts. By default, the Design Editor replaces only text and image placeholders between layouts, if there are available placeholders, and removes other design elements.
<TWM>	tight | square | none	none	Text Wrapping Marker defines how the underlying text elements should wrap this element. none - no wrapping. square - wrap around the bounding rectangle. tight - wrap around the element boundaries. By default, text does not wrap elements. When you add raster images to the canvas, they behave as if <TWM_square> is applied.
<VAR>	t | f	t	Variable item. This marker sets the isVariable property of design elements to true. By default, this property is false.

Marker shortcuts

Marker	Possible values	Description
<LPH>		Enables stub Logo Placeholders in the Fit resize mode based on image layers. This shortcut is equal to the set of <AT_My Files><PH_stub><PHRM_fit><PACM_f><MRC_p> markers.
<PPH>		Enables stub Photo Placeholders in the Fill resize mode based on image layers. Users cannot make the content of such placeholders smaller than the placeholder size. This shortcut is equal to the set of <AT_My Files><PH_stub><PHRM_fill><PACM_t><MRC_p> markers.
<PSLD>		Position Locked Deletable prevents users from moving, rotating, or resizing design elements. This shortcut is equal to the set of <MAD_f><MAMH_f><MAMV_f><MAR_f><MRC> markers and allows you to apply the simple editing mode to elements in your template while the editor is in the advanced mode.
<PSLUD>		Position Locked Undeletable prevents users from moving, rotating, resizing, or deleting design elements. This shortcut is equal to the set of <MAD_f><MAMH_f><MAMV_f><MAR_f><MRC> markers and allows you to apply the simple editing mode to elements in your template while the editor is in the advanced mode.
<UML>		Up Mockup Layer enables an overlay mockup in the foreground container. This shortcut is equal to the set of <FG><LC><VNP> markers and is applied to an image layer and allows not to use a separate mockup file.