SwatcheraOpen the form
In the Library
Click “+ Add a material” under the filters.
In the form
Pick who can see it: everyone on Swatchera (the team approves it first) or only you.
Choose up to four photos. The first one is the main photo.
How-to guides · For designers
From your own material to a client-ready pack
Add a material you sourced yourself, specify it, place it on the board, export the PDFs and share a client link.
5 short how-tos. Screens show sample data.
How-to 1: Add your own material
Photo, details and who can see it.
Fill in the details
Photo and basics
Your main photo.
Name the material.
Choose a category.
Pick a colour. Add finish and size if you know them.
Supplier and specs
Supplier name (required).
Add extras, like fire rating, as custom specs.
Confirm and add it
At the end of the form
Tick the box to confirm you have the right to share the photos.
Click “Add to the library”.
Then
Your material opens with a “User uploaded” tag. It is in your Library now.
How-to 2: Add it to your specification
Choose the project and where it goes.
Add it to a project
Choose the project, then where it goes: Floor, Wall, Worktop and more.
Optional: add size and extra specs.
Click “Add to Hampstead kitchen”.
Tip: the project has to exist first. Create it from Projects, then New Project.
Check your schedule
Open the project. Your material is the newest row, with its own tag (WD-03).
The row keeps your “User uploaded” label, its location, size and supplier. It is part of the specification now.
How-to 3: Place it on the material board
Search, add, then drag it into place.
Open the material board
Your project’s materials are listed on the left of the board.
In the project, click the Material Board tab. Each project has its own board, and the panel only shows that project’s materials.
Add it to the board
Search the panel for your material.
Click the + on its tile, or drag the tile onto the board.
Place and resize it
The tile now shows how many times it is on the board.
Drag the material into place and drag a corner to resize it. Its tag and name follow along. The board saves as you go.
How-to 4: Export the PDFs
The board as an image or PDF, and the specification as one PDF.
Export the material board
On the board
Click Export, then choose PDF. PNG and JPG are there too.
Click “Download”.
Paper size, margin, quality and material names are optional.
Export the specification
On the project page
Click “Export Specifications”, then tick Schedule.
Tick Specification sheets: one sheet per material.
Click “Export PDF”.
Tick Cut sheets to add each supplier’s own spec PDF at the end.
How-to 5: Share a client link
A read-only page, no account needed.
Make the link
On the project page
Click “Share with client”. Choose how long the link works.
Optional: add a message for your client.
Click “Make link”.
Prices are hidden unless you turn them on.
What your client sees
A read-only page. No account and no sign-in.
Materials with their tags, locations and status, plus your message.
Never your notes, files, budget or supplier contact details.
They can print the page or save it as a PDF.
Before you send it
Good to know.
Who sees your material
Shared materials appear in the Library tagged “User uploaded” once the Swatchera team approves them. Until then only you see them. “Only in my library” keeps it private.
Plans
Basic holds up to 5 of your own materials. Exports and client links are part of Freelancer and Studio.
Client links
You can switch a link off any time. Making a new link stops the old one straight away.
Where it works
The material board is for desktop and tablet. Everything else also works in your phone’s browser.