SAGE

The Beginner’s Guide to the Virtual Design Studio

With the Virtual Design Studio in SAGE Workplace, you can create your own virtual samples to add to presentations or send to clients in seconds. Email, print, or save your virtual samples to use for projects, sales presentations, and more!

Here is our step-by-step guide for how to use the Virtual Design Studio to create virtual proofs for your clients.

Update Your Catalog

How to Create a Virtual Sample from a Product in SAGE Workplace

  • Log into your SAGE Workplace account.
  • Locate the product of your choice by performing a product search. Click on the Product Search in the left menu.
  • Once you've located a product, click into it to open the product detail page.
  • Click on the mug icon to the left of the product image to open the Virtual Design Studio.
  • From here if your sample image already includes a logo or decoration, you can remove it by clicking the Erase Sample Logo option. Outline the logo you want to remove by clicking points around it with your mouse, then click Apply at the bottom of the screen to remove the decoration.
  • To add your own logo, click Add Logo. You can upload a new logo from your computer, access a saved logo in the File Center, upload directly from a web link, or select one of your saved logos that appear at the bottom from your recently used logos.
  • Use your mouse to move, resize, or rotate your logo as needed to fit the product. If you make a mistake, use the Undo option in the controls at the top.
  • You can also skew or curve your logo using the controls at the top to better fit the product. For example, if you are adding a logo to a mug, you would want to use the Curve function to curve the logo around the mug. Changing the perspective of your logo to fit the shape of the product you are adding the logo to creates a more realistic looking virtual sample.
  • To edit your logo, select the image icon in the controls. This will allow you to crop your logo, use the paint option to add to your logo, or the fill option to change the background color.
  • You can also duplicate the logo with the Duplicate function if you have more than one imprint location.
  • If you have uploaded multiple images to imprint and need one image to appear in front of the other, select the image you want to appear in front or back and click Bring to Front or Move to Back.
  • You can also use the Logo Settings on the bottom left to adjust the opacity of your logo or pick the imprint effect. To pick the imprint effect, select your preferred imprint method from the effect drop down menu. You can select emboss, deboss, embroidery, laser engraving, or gold or silver foil stamping. This allows you to see a better representation of what your logo will look like with different imprinting methods.
  • To change the color of your logo, select the Solid button to the right of the Original option. Next, click the color box to open the Color Picker. This will open a pop up where you can select a different color for your logo. All of the brand colors that appear in the logo will be listed at the top or you can select from the standard color options, use the eyedropper or color scale or enter the HEX, PMS, HSV, or RBG values that you want. Once you have selected the color of your choice, click OK.
  • The Color Scaling option determines how concentrated you want the new color in your logo to appear and will be selected by default. If you would like to make the color appear less concentrated, uncheck Color Scaling, and use the Concentration slider to change the intensity of the color you have selected.
  • Once you’re satisfied with your virtual sample, click on Save/Email/Print. You can send the sample as an email, print it from your device, or save it as a .PNG, .PDF, or save to the File Center in SAGE Workplace.
  • Log into your SAGE Workplace account.
  • Create Forms
  • Locate the product of your choice by performing a product search. Click on the Product Search in the left menu.
  • Create Forms
  • Once you've located a product, click into it to open the product detail page.
  • Create Forms
  • Click on the mug icon to the left of the product image to open the Virtual Design Studio.
  • Create Forms
  • From here if your sample image already includes a logo or decoration, you can remove it by clicking the Erase Sample Logo option. Outline the logo you want to remove by clicking points around it with your mouse, then click Apply at the bottom of the screen to remove the decoration.
  • Create Forms
  • To add your own logo, click Add Logo. You can upload a new logo from your computer, access a saved logo in the File Center, upload directly from a web link, or select one of your saved logos that appear at the bottom from your recently used logos.
  • Create Forms
  • Use your mouse to move, resize, or rotate your logo as needed to fit the product. If you make a mistake, use the Undo option in the controls at the top.
  • Create Forms
  • You can also skew or curve your logo using the controls at the top to better fit the product. For example, if you are adding a logo to a mug, you would want to use the Curve function to curve the logo around the mug. Changing the perspective of your logo to fit the shape of the product you are adding the logo to creates a more realistic looking virtual sample.
  • Create Forms
  • To edit your logo, select the image icon in the controls. This will allow you to crop your logo, use the paint option to add to your logo, or the fill option to change the background color.
  • Create Forms
  • You can also duplicate the logo with the Duplicate function if you have more than one imprint location.
  • Create Forms
  • If you have uploaded multiple images to imprint and need one image to appear in front of the other, select the image you want to appear in front or back and click Bring to Front or Move to Back.
  • Create Forms
  • You can also use the Logo Settings on the bottom left to adjust the opacity of your logo or pick the imprint effect. To pick the imprint effect, select your preferred imprint method from the effect drop down menu. You can select emboss, deboss, embroidery, laser engraving, or gold or silver foil stamping. This allows you to see a better representation of what your logo will look like with different imprinting methods.
  • Create Forms
  • To change the color of your logo, select the Solid button to the right of the Original option. Next, click the color box to open the Color Picker. This will open a pop up where you can select a different color for your logo. All of the brand colors that appear in the logo will be listed at the top or you can select from the standard color options, use the eyedropper or color scale or enter the HEX, PMS, HSV, or RBG values that you want. Once you have selected the color of your choice, click OK.
  • Create Forms
  • The Color Scaling option determines how concentrated you want the new color in your logo to appear and will be selected by default. If you would like to make the color appear less concentrated, uncheck Color Scaling, and use the Concentration slider to change the intensity of the color you have selected.
  • Create Forms
  • Once you’re satisfied with your virtual sample, click on Save/Email/Print. You can send the sample as an email, print it from your device, or save it as a .PNG, .PDF, or save to the File Center in SAGE Workplace.
  • Create Forms

How to Add Text or Shapes to a Product

  • You can also add custom text to your virtual sample. To add straight text, click on Add Text to open a text box. Once you have added the text, you can change the font, the text effect such as emboss or embroidery just like you did for the logo, and the font size, color, alignment, or style. Use your mouse and the controls at the top to move your text where you want it.
  • To add curved text up to a circle or freeform text, select Define Path at the bottom of the Text Settings. This will give you the option to create circular text or add text along a freeform path.
  • For curved text, select Circle, and then select Proceed. You will then see a circular guide on your image. Simply type your text in the text box to see it appear along the curve of the guide. Use your mouse and the controls at the top to resize or rotate your curved text.
  • For freeform text, select Freeform and then Proceed. Next you will need to set points by clicking with your mouse. After you are done, select Continue to adjust the points or define curves. Then select Apply. You can also modify, reverse, or remove the path under the Text Path settings.
  • To add a shape such as a line, rectangle, circle, polygon, or a freeform shape, click on Add Shape and then select your shape.
  • From here, you can use your mouse and the controls at the top to move, resize, or rotate your shape. You can also duplicate the shape with the Duplicate function if you have more than one imprint location. If you added a logo or other image that you need to appear in front of your shape, select the image you want to appear in front or back and click Bring to Front or Move to Back.
  • You can also use the Shape Settings on the bottom left to change your shape’s color. You can also click the color box next to the Stroke option to change the color of your shape’s border, and adjust the border’s thickness with the Width drop down. If you have selected a line as your shape, the Stroke and Width options will change the color and thickness of your line.
  • For freeform shapes, select Freeform and then set points on your image by clicking with your mouse. After you are done, select Continue to adjust the points or define curves. Then select Apply.
  • Once you're satisfied with your virtual sample, click on Save/Email Print.
  • You can also add custom text to your virtual sample. To add straight text, click on Add Text to open a text box. Once you have added the text, you can change the font, the text effect such as emboss or embroidery just like you did for the logo, and the font size, color, alignment, or style. Use your mouse and the controls at the top to move your text where you want it.
  • Create Forms
  • To add curved text up to a circle or freeform text, select Define Path at the bottom of the Text Settings. This will give you the option to create circular text or add text along a freeform path.
  • Create Forms
  • For curved text, select Circle, and then select Proceed. You will then see a circular guide on your image. Simply type your text in the text box to see it appear along the curve of the guide. Use your mouse and the controls at the top to resize or rotate your curved text.
  • Create Forms
  • For freeform text, select Freeform and then Proceed. Next you will need to set points by clicking with your mouse. After you are done, select Continue to adjust the points or define curves. Then select Apply. You can also modify, reverse, or remove the path under the Text Path settings.
  • Create Forms
  • To add a shape such as a line, rectangle, circle, polygon, or a freeform shape, click on Add Shape and then select your shape.
  • Create Forms
  • From here, you can use your mouse and the controls at the top to move, resize, or rotate your shape. You can also duplicate the shape with the Duplicate function if you have more than one imprint location. If you added a logo or other image that you need to appear in front of your shape, select the image you want to appear in front or back and click Bring to Front or Move to Back.
  • Create Forms
  • You can also use the Shape Settings on the bottom left to change your shape’s color. You can also click the color box next to the Stroke option to change the color of your shape’s border, and adjust the border’s thickness with the Width drop down. If you have selected a line as your shape, the Stroke and Width options will change the color and thickness of your line.
  • Create Forms
  • For freeform shapes, select Freeform and then set points on your image by clicking with your mouse. After you are done, select Continue to adjust the points or define curves. Then select Apply.
  • Create Forms
  • Once you're satisfied with your virtual sample, click on Save/Email Print.
  • Create Forms
things to know

Things to Know:

You can also edit the background of your virtual sample. You can change the color or even upload a background image. Select the Background option at the top left. To change the color, select the Color option to open the Color Picker. This will open a pop up where you can select a different color for your background. Or, to upload a background image, select Upload, File Center, or Web Link to select your image. You will then see a pop up where you can select the image’s Fit Mode, either True Size, Fit to Canvas, Fill Canvas, Stretch, or Tile. Select your preferred option and click Proceed.

How to Create a Virtual Sample from Scratch in SAGE Workplace

  • In SAGE Workplace, click on Virtual Samples in the left menu.
  • This will open a new window for the SAGE Virtual Design Studio. Add your own product image by clicking Add Product Image. Select a product image from your device by clicking Upload. You can also open a product from the File Center or from a Web Link.
  • From here if your sample image already includes a logo or decoration, you can remove it by clicking the Erase Sample Logo option. Outline the logo you want to remove by clicking points around it with your mouse, then click Apply at the bottom of the screen to remove the decoration.
  • You can then add your logo, text, or shapes to finish your virtual sample. Once you’re satisfied, click on Save/Email/Print. You can send the sample as an email, print it from your device, or save it as a .PNG, .PDF, or save to the File Center.
  • In SAGE Workplace, click on Virtual Samples in the left menu.
  • Filter and Export Orders
  • This will open a new window for the SAGE Virtual Design Studio. Add your own product image by clicking Add Product Image. Select a product image from your device by clicking Upload. You can also open a product from the File Center or from a Web Link.
  • Filter and Export Orders
  • From here if your sample image already includes a logo or decoration, you can remove it by clicking the Erase Sample Logo option. Outline the logo you want to remove by clicking points around it with your mouse, then click Apply at the bottom of the screen to remove the decoration.
  • Filter and Export Orders
  • You can then add your logo, text, or shapes to finish your virtual sample. Once you’re satisfied, click on Save/Email/Print. You can send the sample as an email, print it from your device, or save it as a .PNG, .PDF, or save to the File Center.
  • Filter and Export Orders

Did You Know?

You can save your virtual samples to a project in the Project Management module straight from the Virtual Design Studio. Once your sample is created, click Save Project and select a project. Give your sample a name, and click Use this folder to save your virtual sample to your project!

Did you know
things to know

Things to Know:

If you have a SAGE Website subscription, your clients can create their own virtual samples on your website! Enable the VDS on your website to allow your clients to easily see what their branding will look like on promotional products.

When it comes to creating virtual samples, there’s no easier solution than the SAGE Virtual Design Studio. From adding and editing logos to products to adding virtual samples to projects, presentations, and more – the SAGE Virtual Design Studio does it all! For a more in-depth tutorial, sign up for a free, live demo.

GET A LIVE DEMO
Back to Top