Abstract: A system and method for designing or customizing a product, web page, or other item, via a global computer network. The system includes a web server, a client computer, a PDF rendering engine, and a manufacturing computer. A user may select preliminary design choices form a web page at the client computer. After preliminary design choices are made, a web-based design editor allows customization of many different features of the designed product. The design editor may include drag & drop capabilities for repositioning design elements and preferably needs little or no client-server interaction during product customization. A PDF rendering engine generates a PDF file describing the designed invention, and the PDF may be used to directly drive manufacturing equipment to produce the product. The web-based design system may be especially useful in designing printed or graphical products such as business cards, stationary, and stamps.