Generally, a pad layer is not needed for engraving purposes because printers will typically use special flood cylinders to create the pad colour in production, but the pad layer is needed in AVA to simulate the effect of the pad colour in the design. Therefore it can be helpful to display colourways on screen and on prints without the pad layer block included in the colour palette.

 To do this:

1. Double click on the Pad Layer in the Layers Palette to rename it.
2. Name the layer %%qcpalettehide and press ⮐ (return key) on the keyboard to confirm the name change.
3. Go to Window Menu > Layout.
4. Go to Layout Menu > Views, select the Palette tab and make sure Show numbers from zero is ticked. Colourways will now display the pad in the design area but not in the colour palette.
5. Show user names – gives the ability to add extra information to individual colour chips to help identify them more clearly, such as Pad, Emboss, Metallic etc.