Affinity Mockups: 5 Easy Ways to Use Custom Scene in Affinity Designer

Affinity mockups make it easy to showcase your artwork, calligraphy, or design projects in a polished and professional way, without needing Adobe software. Whether you’re preparing a client presentation or curating your portfolio, mockups help bring your designs to life.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to use the 5x7in Handmade Invitation and Torn Envelope Mockup in Affinity Designer. Even though we’re focusing on a wedding invitation mockup, the steps work with any Affinity mockup from Custom Scene, so you can confidently apply what you learn to future projects.

Why Use Affinity Designer for Mockups?

Affinity Designer is a powerful design app offering both vector and raster capabilities, perfect for mockup work. It’s also more affordable than Adobe products, with no recurring costs.

Here’s why it’s an ideal choice:

• No subscription fees – One-time payment only
• Works on iPad and desktop – Lightweight, responsive, and versatile
• Supports PSD files – Compatible with many Photoshop mockups
• True layer control – Custom Scene mockups are built to work natively with Affinity’s layer system
• Raster + vector – Easily adjust photos, text, and graphic elements in one app

For those working across platforms, you’ll appreciate how seamless the workflow is, especially with .afdesign files crafted specifically for Affinity.

See Custom Scene’s full collection of mockups for Affinity Designer

Does Affinity Designer Support Mockups?

Yes, Affinity Designer can be used to edit mockups. You can open PSD mockups directly, though some Photoshop-only features like Smart Objects won’t fully translate. Instead, use mockups for affinity designer created specifically for the app (.afdesign format) for full control and editing ease.

Can You Use PSD Mockups in Affinity Designer?

Absolutely. Many PSD mockups will open in Affinity Designer. You can insert your design, adjust layers, and export. Just be aware:

• Smart Objects won’t behave exactly like in Photoshop
• Some advanced blending or filters may be flattened
• For full compatibility, Custom Scene mockups offer cleaner results

What You Need to Get Started

Before jumping into the steps, make sure you have the following materials ready:

Affinity Designer Mockup File

You’ll need a mockup from the Custom Scene Mockup Collection, ideally one designed for Affinity Designer (.afdesign) or compatible .PSD.
For this tutorial, we’re using the 5x7in Handmade Invitation and Torn Envelope Mockup, but the process works the same for any Affinity-ready mockup.

Your Design

Have your artwork or graphic ready. You can use:

• PNG (recommended for transparent backgrounds)
• JPEG or TIFF
• Vector assets (if you’re combining with Affinity’s native tools)

Affinity Designer (iPad or Desktop)

This tutorial works seamlessly with:

• Affinity Designer for iPad (from the App Store)
• Affinity Designer 2 for Mac or Windows (from Serif)

No plugins or extra tools are required.

1. Opening Your Affinity Designer Mockup File

After purchase, download the .afdesign file to your iPad or desktop. Open Affinity Designer and tap (or double-click) the file.

Everything is already laid out and labeled. No setup needed-just start customizing.

Navigating the Layers Panel

Mockups for Affinity Designer from Custom Scene are structured to be intuitive:

Each item is in its own group folder. Groups are clearly labeled (e.g., “Card”, “Envelope”)

Inside each group:

1. Texture layer (adjust opacity or toggle off for a cleaner look)
2. [YOUR DESIGN HERE] layer (replace this with your design)
3. Change Color layer (edit base color of the object)
4. Reflections and Shadows (customize opacity for realism)

The clear structure is what makes these mockups easy to use, even if you’ve never used a mockup before.

2. Placing Your Design Inside the Mockup

1. Find the [YOUR DESIGN HERE] layer.

2. Hide the placeholder image if visible.

3. Tap/click File > Place…, choose your design (JPG, PNG, etc.)

4. After selecting your file, tap or click anywhere on the canvas to place it.
5. Now fine-tune your placement:
   • Make sure Snapping is turned on (tap the magnet icon in the top toolbar).
   • Activate the Move Tool (black arrow icon on the left).
   • Drag and resize your artwork to fit neatly within the mockup area.
6. Once you’re happy with the positioning, close the embedded canvas:
   • On iPad: tap the top-left arrow to return to the main layout.
   • On desktop: simply close the embedded tab or go back to the main document.

✅ Tip: If snapping doesn’t align perfectly, zoom in and adjust manually while snapping is active.

Optional: Adding Special Effects (like Foil or Embossing)

Some mockups for Affinity Designer include additional [YOUR DESIGN HERE] layers for special finishes like metallic foil, letterpress, or embossing. If the mockup includes a foil effect (as in this tutorial example), you can customize it just like the main design layer:

• Locate the second [YOUR DESIGN HERE] layer labeled Foil, Embossing, or similar.

• Place your design using the same steps above.

• The color you use will determine the effect’s appearance. For example, if you use a golden-yellow color, the foil will reflect as gold in the final mockup.

This allows your design to seamlessly adopt the texture and tone of the applied effect, adding realism and a polished look.

3. Styling Mockup (Optional)

Most Affinity mockups come with pre-styled compositions, but you can easily rearrange elements to fit your project or tell a visual story.

For example, in this mockup, you can create the look of a card tucked inside an envelope by moving the layers into a different order:

1. Open the Layers panel and identify each object group (e.g., Card, Envelope Flap, Envelope Base).
2. Tap or click and drag the Card group so it sits between the envelope flap and base layers.

3. The result is a seamless “partially inserted” look, perfect for product previews or storytelling scenes.

How to Select and Move Multiple Layers on iPad

On iPad, selecting multiple layers works slightly differently:

1. Tap and hold the Option modifier on the bottom-left radial tool (circled below).
2. While holding it, tap each layer you want to select.
3. Release the Option key and use the Move Tool to reposition the entire selection.

✅ Tip: This method also works on Mac. Just hold the Option key while selecting layers in the Layers panel.

✅ Pro Tip: mockups for affinity designer from Custom Scene are grouped cleanly, so styling adjustments like this can be done quickly without breaking the structure.

4. Customizing Effects and Finishing Touches

Here’s how to make your Affinity mockup truly yours:

• Color Layers: Tap the “Change Color” layer, then open the Color panel to pick your shade. You’ll see the item update live.

• Reflections & Shadows: Adjust these by lowering the opacity in the layer panel.
• Lighting Overlays: Inside the “Overlay” folder, tweak or disable Soft Light and Linear Burn layers for dramatic or clean looks.
• Filters: A separate folder offers color grading and tone options. Toggle on/off for different moods.

• Background Customization:
  • Change the background color
  • Hide or tweak the background texture layer

These touches bring depth and realism, which is important if you want the final image to look truly professional.

5. Exporting Your Mockup

Once done, go to File > Save As to create a new copy.

1. Then go to File > Export and choose:
   • JPEG: Ideal for web, blog, and store listings. Use 1800×1200px (or 3000×2000px for HD).
   • PNG: Best for print, transparency, or crisp detail.
   • Set quality to 70–80 for web to balance file size and sharpness.

Tap/click Export and save your final image. Done!

Try It Yourself (Free Affinity Designer Mockup)

Now that you’ve seen how easy it is to work with mockups in Affinity Designer, why not give it a try?

Download the free Affinity Designer mockup featured in this tutorial, fully editable and yours to keep. It’s a great way to practice, explore customization options, and see how everything works before diving into more.

Key Insights for Mockup Success

Custom Scene mockups for affinity designer are designed to be easy to use and beginner-friendly. Each file is thoughtfully structured:

• Layers are clearly labeled and grouped
• Design placement layers are already clipped and masked
• You can simply drop in your artwork and start customizing

There’s no need to manually create masks or layer effects, everything is ready to go, saving you time and hassle.

Limitations of Photoshop Mockups in Affinity

Affinity Designer can open PSD mockups, but there are a few limitations to be aware of:

• Smart Objects from Photoshop won’t behave the same, warp and perspective transformations may not carry over
• Some adjustment layers or blending effects may not be supported

That’s why using mockups for affinity designer (Affinity-native file .afdesign) from Custom Scene is the best way to ensure compatibility and full control.

What to Do If Something Doesn’t Look Right

If anything feels off while using one of our affinity mockups, layer visibility, placement, or effects, feel free to reach out. Each mockup Affinity Designer file is tested before release, but systems and workflows vary. I’m happy to help troubleshoot or improve the file based on your feedback.

Maximize Affinity Mockups

Affinity Designer is a powerful creative tool, and with the right mockups, you can create professional presentations without ever touching Photoshop.

Whether you’re showcasing packaging, stationery, or digital products, using a ready-to-edit Affinity mockup from Custom Scene lets you work faster and smarter.

Start with the 5x7in Handmade Invitation and Torn Envelope Mockup or explore the full Mockups for Affinity Designer collection to find the perfect fit for your next project.