diff --git a/components/src/molecules/Tabs/index.tsx b/components/src/molecules/Tabs/index.tsx
index d9e6a7b349a..70811a3dd2a 100644
--- a/components/src/molecules/Tabs/index.tsx
+++ b/components/src/molecules/Tabs/index.tsx
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 import { css } from 'styled-components'
-import { TYPOGRAPHY, SPACING, RESPONSIVENESS } from '../../ui-style-constants'
+import { Tooltip } from '../../atoms'
 import { COLORS, BORDERS } from '../../helix-design-system'
-import { POSITION_RELATIVE, DIRECTION_ROW } from '../../styles'
 import { Btn, Flex } from '../../primitives'
+import { POSITION_RELATIVE, DIRECTION_ROW } from '../../styles'
+import { useHoverTooltip } from '../../tooltips'
+import { TYPOGRAPHY, SPACING, RESPONSIVENESS } from '../../ui-style-constants'
 
 const DEFAULT_TAB_STYLE = css`
   ${TYPOGRAPHY.pSemiBold}
@@ -65,6 +67,7 @@ export interface TabProps {
   onClick: () => void
   isActive?: boolean
   disabled?: boolean
+  disabledReasonForTooltip?: string
 }
 
 export interface TabsProps {
@@ -77,18 +80,36 @@ export function Tabs(props: TabsProps): JSX.Element {
   return (
     <Flex flexDirection={DIRECTION_ROW} css={DEFAULT_CONTAINER_STYLE}>
       {tabs.map((tab, index) => (
-        <Btn
-          data-testid={`tab_${index}_${tab.text}`}
-          key={index}
-          onClick={() => {
-            tab.onClick()
-          }}
-          css={tab.isActive === true ? CURRENT_TAB_STYLE : DEFAULT_TAB_STYLE}
-          disabled={tab.disabled}
-        >
-          {tab.text}
-        </Btn>
+        <Tab {...tab} data-testid={`tab_${index}_${tab.text}`} key={index} />
       ))}
     </Flex>
   )
 }
+
+function Tab(props: TabProps): JSX.Element {
+  const {
+    text,
+    onClick,
+    isActive,
+    disabled = false,
+    disabledReasonForTooltip,
+  } = props
+  const [targetProps, tooltipProps] = useHoverTooltip()
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Btn
+        onClick={onClick}
+        css={isActive === true ? CURRENT_TAB_STYLE : DEFAULT_TAB_STYLE}
+        disabled={disabled}
+        {...targetProps}
+      >
+        {text}
+      </Btn>
+      {disabled && disabledReasonForTooltip != null ? (
+        <Tooltip tooltipProps={tooltipProps}>
+          {disabledReasonForTooltip}
+        </Tooltip>
+      ) : null}
+    </>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/assets/localization/en/starting_deck_state.json b/protocol-designer/src/assets/localization/en/starting_deck_state.json
index fd77cb95dd8..afa602358ca 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/assets/localization/en/starting_deck_state.json
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/assets/localization/en/starting_deck_state.json
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@
   "onDeck": "On deck",
   "one_item": "No more than 1 {{hardware}} allowed on the deck at one time",
   "only_display_rec": "Only display recommended labware",
+  "plate_reader_no_labware": "Labware cannot be loaded onto a plate reader. You can move labware onto the plate reader when building your protocol",
   "protocol_starting_deck": "Protocol starting deck",
   "read_more_gen1_gen2": "Read more about the differences between GEN1 and GEN2 Magnetic Modules",
   "rename_lab": "Rename labware",
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/DeckSetupTools.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/DeckSetupTools.tsx
index e93ec99d887..4c41a8f8464 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/DeckSetupTools.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/DeckSetupTools.tsx
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import {
   TYPOGRAPHY,
 } from '@opentrons/components'
 import {
+  ABSORBANCE_READER_V1,
   FLEX_ROBOT_TYPE,
   FLEX_STAGING_AREA_SLOT_ADDRESSABLE_AREAS,
   getModuleDisplayName,
@@ -228,7 +229,9 @@ export function DeckSetupTools(props: DeckSetupToolsProps): JSX.Element | null {
     disabled:
       selectedFixture === 'wasteChute' ||
       selectedFixture === 'wasteChuteAndStagingArea' ||
-      selectedFixture === 'trashBin',
+      selectedFixture === 'trashBin' ||
+      selectedModuleModel === ABSORBANCE_READER_V1,
+    disabledReasonForTooltip: t('plate_reader_no_labware'),
     isActive: tab === 'labware',
     onClick: () => {
       setTab('labware')
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/HighlightItems.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/HighlightItems.tsx
index fd548de360b..c9e4726eae3 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/HighlightItems.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/HighlightItems.tsx
@@ -191,6 +191,7 @@ export function HighlightItems(props: HighlightItemsProps): JSX.Element | null {
                 ? hoveredItem.text ?? ''
                 : selectedItemModule.text ?? ''
             }
+            slot={moduleOnDeck.slot}
           />
         )
       }
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/HoveredItems.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/HoveredItems.tsx
index a96d2418607..7a478a37f98 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/HoveredItems.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/HoveredItems.tsx
@@ -109,6 +109,7 @@ export const HoveredItems = (
               orientation={orientation}
               isSelected={false}
               isLast={true}
+              slot={selectedSlot.slot}
             />
           ) : null}
         </>
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/LabwareTools.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/LabwareTools.tsx
index be4f457429e..ca8feac72d1 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/LabwareTools.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/LabwareTools.tsx
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ import { getOnlyLatestDefs } from '../../../labware-defs'
 import {
   ADAPTER_96_CHANNEL,
   getLabwareIsCompatible as _getLabwareIsCompatible,
+  getLabwareCompatibleWithAbsorbanceReader,
 } from '../../../utils/labwareModuleCompatibility'
 import { getHas96Channel } from '../../../utils'
 import { createCustomLabwareDef } from '../../../labware-defs/actions'
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ import {
   selectLabware,
   selectNestedLabware,
 } from '../../../labware-ingred/actions'
+import { getEnableAbsorbanceReader } from '../../../feature-flags/selectors'
 import {
   ALL_ORDERED_CATEGORIES,
   CUSTOM_CATEGORY,
@@ -132,13 +134,17 @@ export function LabwareTools(props: LabwareToolsProps): JSX.Element {
     robotType === OT2_ROBOT_TYPE ? isNextToHeaterShaker : false
   )
 
+  const enablePlateReader = useSelector(getEnableAbsorbanceReader)
+
   const getLabwareCompatible = useCallback(
     (def: LabwareDefinition2) => {
       // assume that custom (non-standard) labware is (potentially) compatible
       if (moduleType == null || !getLabwareDefIsStandard(def)) {
         return true
       }
-      return _getLabwareIsCompatible(def, moduleType)
+      return moduleType === ABSORBANCE_READER_TYPE
+        ? getLabwareCompatibleWithAbsorbanceReader(def)
+        : _getLabwareIsCompatible(def, moduleType)
     },
     [moduleType]
   )
@@ -167,7 +173,8 @@ export function LabwareTools(props: LabwareToolsProps): JSX.Element {
           moduleType !== HEATERSHAKER_MODULE_TYPE) ||
         (isAdapter96Channel && !has96Channel) ||
         (slot === 'offDeck' && isAdapter) ||
-        (PLATE_READER_LOADNAME === parameters.loadName &&
+        (!enablePlateReader &&
+          PLATE_READER_LOADNAME === parameters.loadName &&
           moduleType !== ABSORBANCE_READER_TYPE)
       )
     },
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/ModuleLabel.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/ModuleLabel.tsx
index 12849eba08a..568eeb5f0d9 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/ModuleLabel.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/ModuleLabel.tsx
@@ -3,15 +3,19 @@ import { useSelector } from 'react-redux'
 import { DeckLabelSet } from '@opentrons/components'
 import {
   FLEX_ROBOT_TYPE,
+  FLEX_STANDARD_DECKID,
   HEATERSHAKER_MODULE_TYPE,
-  MAGNETIC_MODULE_TYPE,
+  OT2_STANDARD_DECKID,
   TEMPERATURE_MODULE_TYPE,
-  THERMOCYCLER_MODULE_TYPE,
   getModuleDef2,
 } from '@opentrons/shared-data'
 import { getRobotType } from '../../../file-data/selectors'
 import type { DeckLabelProps } from '@opentrons/components'
-import type { CoordinateTuple, ModuleModel } from '@opentrons/shared-data'
+import type {
+  CoordinateTuple,
+  DeckSlotId,
+  ModuleModel,
+} from '@opentrons/shared-data'
 
 interface ModuleLabelProps {
   moduleModel: ModuleModel
@@ -19,6 +23,7 @@ interface ModuleLabelProps {
   orientation: 'left' | 'right'
   isSelected: boolean
   isLast: boolean
+  slot: DeckSlotId | null
   isZoomed?: boolean
   labwareInfos?: DeckLabelProps[]
   labelName?: string
@@ -33,6 +38,7 @@ export const ModuleLabel = (props: ModuleLabelProps): JSX.Element => {
     labwareInfos = [],
     isZoomed = true,
     labelName,
+    slot,
   } = props
   const robotType = useSelector(getRobotType)
   const labelContainerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
@@ -45,30 +51,21 @@ export const ModuleLabel = (props: ModuleLabelProps): JSX.Element => {
   }, [labwareInfos])
 
   const def = getModuleDef2(moduleModel)
-  const overhang =
-    def?.dimensions.labwareInterfaceXDimension != null
-      ? def.dimensions.xDimension - def?.dimensions.labwareInterfaceXDimension
+  const slotTransformKey =
+    robotType === FLEX_ROBOT_TYPE ? FLEX_STANDARD_DECKID : OT2_STANDARD_DECKID
+  const cornerOffsetsFromSlotFromTransform =
+    slot != null && !isZoomed
+      ? def?.slotTransforms?.[slotTransformKey]?.[slot]?.cornerOffsetFromSlot
+      : null
+  const tempAdjustmentX =
+    def?.moduleType === TEMPERATURE_MODULE_TYPE && orientation === 'right'
+      ? def?.dimensions.xDimension - (def?.dimensions.footprintXDimension ?? 0) // shift depending on side of deck
+      : 0
+  const tempAdjustmentY = def?.moduleType === TEMPERATURE_MODULE_TYPE ? -1 : 0
+  const heaterShakerAdjustmentX =
+    def?.moduleType === HEATERSHAKER_MODULE_TYPE && orientation === 'right' // shift depending on side of deck
+      ? 7 // TODO(ND: 12/18/2024): investigate further why the module definition does not contain sufficient info to find this offset
       : 0
-  let leftOverhang = overhang
-
-  switch (def?.moduleType) {
-    case TEMPERATURE_MODULE_TYPE:
-      leftOverhang = overhang * 2
-      break
-    case HEATERSHAKER_MODULE_TYPE:
-      leftOverhang = overhang + 14
-      break
-    case MAGNETIC_MODULE_TYPE:
-      leftOverhang = overhang + 8
-      break
-    case THERMOCYCLER_MODULE_TYPE:
-      if (!isZoomed && robotType === FLEX_ROBOT_TYPE) {
-        leftOverhang = overhang + 20
-      }
-      break
-    default:
-      break
-  }
 
   return (
     <DeckLabelSet
@@ -84,11 +81,20 @@ export const ModuleLabel = (props: ModuleLabelProps): JSX.Element => {
         ...labwareInfos,
       ]}
       x={
-        (orientation === 'right'
-          ? position[0] - overhang
-          : position[0] - leftOverhang) - def?.cornerOffsetFromSlot.x
+        position[0] +
+        def.cornerOffsetFromSlot.x +
+        (cornerOffsetsFromSlotFromTransform?.[0][3] ?? 0) +
+        tempAdjustmentX +
+        heaterShakerAdjustmentX -
+        1
+      }
+      y={
+        position[1] +
+        def.cornerOffsetFromSlot.y +
+        (cornerOffsetsFromSlotFromTransform?.[1][3] ?? 0) -
+        labelContainerHeight +
+        tempAdjustmentY
       }
-      y={position[1] + def?.cornerOffsetFromSlot.y - labelContainerHeight}
       width={def?.dimensions.xDimension + 2}
       height={def?.dimensions.yDimension + 2}
     />
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/SelectedHoveredItems.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/SelectedHoveredItems.tsx
index 2400271ee22..b150cdb9274 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/SelectedHoveredItems.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/SelectedHoveredItems.tsx
@@ -188,6 +188,7 @@ export const SelectedHoveredItems = (
               orientation={orientation}
               isSelected={true}
               labwareInfos={labwareInfos}
+              slot={selectedSlot.slot}
             />
           ) : null}
         </>
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/__tests__/LabwareTools.test.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/__tests__/LabwareTools.test.tsx
index 479724f3527..d584faf4d27 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/__tests__/LabwareTools.test.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/__tests__/LabwareTools.test.tsx
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import type { LabwareDefinition2, PipetteV2Specs } from '@opentrons/shared-data'
 
 vi.mock('../../../../utils')
 vi.mock('../../../../step-forms/selectors')
+vi.mock('../../../../feature-flags/selectors')
 vi.mock('../../../../file-data/selectors')
 vi.mock('../../../../labware-defs/selectors')
 vi.mock('../../../../labware-defs/actions')
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/__tests__/utils.test.ts b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/__tests__/utils.test.ts
index 50325ad7197..7d48c7ea71d 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/__tests__/utils.test.ts
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/__tests__/utils.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest'
 import {
+  ABSORBANCE_READER_V1,
   FLEX_ROBOT_TYPE,
   HEATERSHAKER_MODULE_TYPE,
   HEATERSHAKER_MODULE_V1,
@@ -45,12 +46,13 @@ describe('getModuleModelsBySlot', () => {
   })
   it('renders all flex modules for B1', () => {
     expect(getModuleModelsBySlot(true, FLEX_ROBOT_TYPE, 'B1')).toEqual(
-      FLEX_MODULE_MODELS
+      FLEX_MODULE_MODELS.filter(model => model !== ABSORBANCE_READER_V1)
     )
   })
   it('renders all flex modules for C1', () => {
     const noTC = FLEX_MODULE_MODELS.filter(
-      model => model !== THERMOCYCLER_MODULE_V2
+      model =>
+        model !== THERMOCYCLER_MODULE_V2 && model !== ABSORBANCE_READER_V1
     )
     expect(getModuleModelsBySlot(true, FLEX_ROBOT_TYPE, 'C1')).toEqual(noTC)
   })
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/constants.ts b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/constants.ts
index e1acb64424d..479b185a765 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/constants.ts
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/constants.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import {
   HEATERSHAKER_MODULE_TYPE,
   MAGNETIC_BLOCK_TYPE,
   ABSORBANCE_READER_TYPE,
+  ABSORBANCE_READER_V1,
 } from '@opentrons/shared-data'
 
 import type { ModuleModel, ModuleType } from '@opentrons/shared-data'
@@ -92,9 +93,7 @@ export const RECOMMENDED_LABWARE_BY_MODULE: { [K in ModuleType]: string[] } = {
     'nest_96_wellplate_2ml_deep',
     'opentrons_96_wellplate_200ul_pcr_full_skirt',
   ],
-  [ABSORBANCE_READER_TYPE]: [
-    'opentrons_flex_lid_absorbance_plate_reader_module',
-  ],
+  [ABSORBANCE_READER_TYPE]: ['nest_96_wellplate_200ul_flat'],
 }
 
 export const MOAM_MODELS_WITH_FF: ModuleModel[] = [TEMPERATURE_MODULE_V2]
@@ -102,6 +101,7 @@ export const MOAM_MODELS: ModuleModel[] = [
   TEMPERATURE_MODULE_V2,
   HEATERSHAKER_MODULE_V1,
   MAGNETIC_BLOCK_V1,
+  ABSORBANCE_READER_V1,
 ]
 
 export const MAX_MOAM_MODULES = 7
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/utils.ts b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/utils.ts
index a288947365a..a891926d329 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/utils.ts
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/DeckSetup/utils.ts
@@ -5,8 +5,9 @@ import {
   FLEX_ROBOT_TYPE,
   FLEX_STAGING_AREA_SLOT_ADDRESSABLE_AREAS,
   HEATERSHAKER_MODULE_TYPE,
-  MAGNETIC_BLOCK_V1,
+  HEATERSHAKER_MODULE_V1,
   OT2_ROBOT_TYPE,
+  TEMPERATURE_MODULE_V2,
   THERMOCYCLER_MODULE_TYPE,
   THERMOCYCLER_MODULE_V2,
   getAreSlotsAdjacent,
@@ -61,33 +62,32 @@ export function getModuleModelsBySlot(
   robotType: RobotType,
   slot: DeckSlotId
 ): ModuleModel[] {
-  const FLEX_MIDDLE_SLOTS = ['B2', 'C2', 'A2', 'D2']
+  const FLEX_MIDDLE_SLOTS = new Set(['B2', 'C2', 'A2', 'D2'])
   const OT2_MIDDLE_SLOTS = ['2', '5', '8', '11']
-  const FILTERED_MODULES = enableAbsorbanceReader
-    ? FLEX_MODULE_MODELS
-    : FLEX_MODULE_MODELS.filter(model => model !== ABSORBANCE_READER_V1)
 
-  let moduleModels: ModuleModel[] = FILTERED_MODULES
+  const FLEX_RIGHT_SLOTS = new Set(['A3', 'B3', 'C3', 'D3'])
+
+  let moduleModels: ModuleModel[] = FLEX_MODULE_MODELS
 
   switch (robotType) {
     case FLEX_ROBOT_TYPE: {
-      if (slot !== 'B1' && !FLEX_MIDDLE_SLOTS.includes(slot)) {
-        moduleModels = FILTERED_MODULES.filter(
-          model => model !== THERMOCYCLER_MODULE_V2
-        )
-      }
-      if (FLEX_MIDDLE_SLOTS.includes(slot)) {
-        moduleModels = FILTERED_MODULES.filter(
-          model => model === MAGNETIC_BLOCK_V1
-        )
-      }
-      if (
-        FLEX_STAGING_AREA_SLOT_ADDRESSABLE_AREAS.includes(
-          slot as AddressableAreaName
-        )
-      ) {
-        moduleModels = []
-      }
+      moduleModels = FLEX_STAGING_AREA_SLOT_ADDRESSABLE_AREAS.includes(
+        slot as AddressableAreaName
+      )
+        ? []
+        : FLEX_MODULE_MODELS.filter(model => {
+            if (model === THERMOCYCLER_MODULE_V2) {
+              return slot === 'B1'
+            } else if (model === ABSORBANCE_READER_V1) {
+              return FLEX_RIGHT_SLOTS.has(slot) && enableAbsorbanceReader
+            } else if (
+              model === TEMPERATURE_MODULE_V2 ||
+              model === HEATERSHAKER_MODULE_V1
+            ) {
+              return !FLEX_MIDDLE_SLOTS.has(slot)
+            }
+            return true
+          })
       break
     }
     case OT2_ROBOT_TYPE: {
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/utils/labwareModuleCompatibility.ts b/protocol-designer/src/utils/labwareModuleCompatibility.ts
index 52fd34ec9ed..1664e060f0a 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/utils/labwareModuleCompatibility.ts
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/utils/labwareModuleCompatibility.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ import type { LabwareDefByDefURI } from '../labware-defs'
 import type { LabwareOnDeck } from '../step-forms'
 import type { LabwareDefinition2, ModuleType } from '@opentrons/shared-data'
 // NOTE: this does not distinguish btw versions. Standard labware only (assumes namespace is 'opentrons')
+
+const PLATE_READER_MAX_LABWARE_Z_MM = 16
+
 export const COMPATIBLE_LABWARE_ALLOWLIST_BY_MODULE_TYPE: Record<
   ModuleType,
   Readonly<string[]>
@@ -155,6 +158,18 @@ export const getLabwareIsCustom = (
   return labwareOnDeck.labwareDefURI in customLabwares
 }
 
+// This breaks pattern with other module compatibility checks, but it more exactly mirrors Protocol Engine's logic
+// See api/src/opentrons/protocol_engine/state/labware.py for details
+export const getLabwareCompatibleWithAbsorbanceReader = (
+  def: LabwareDefinition2
+): boolean => {
+  return (
+    Object.entries(def.wells).length === 96 &&
+    !def.parameters.isTiprack &&
+    def.dimensions.zDimension <= PLATE_READER_MAX_LABWARE_Z_MM
+  )
+}
+
 export const getAdapterLabwareIsAMatch = (
   labwareId: string,
   allLabware: LabwareOnDeck[],
diff --git a/shared-data/module/definitions/3/absorbanceReaderV1.json b/shared-data/module/definitions/3/absorbanceReaderV1.json
index 57b0bfc1b10..7ced1f05ded 100644
--- a/shared-data/module/definitions/3/absorbanceReaderV1.json
+++ b/shared-data/module/definitions/3/absorbanceReaderV1.json
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
     "bareOverallHeight": 18.5,
     "overLabwareHeight": 0.0,
     "lidHeight": 60.0,
-    "xDimension": 95.5,
-    "yDimension": 155.3,
+    "xDimension": 155.3,
+    "yDimension": 95.5,
     "labwareInterfaceXDimension": 127.8,
     "labwareInterfaceYDimension": 85.5
   },