Common Mistakes 1 of 6
Design Mistakes
Design mistakes are decisions in the artwork or layout that make the PNG unsuitable for the intended product before any export or production error occurs.
Common design mistakes
| Mistake | Why it causes a problem | Better practice |
|---|---|---|
| Designing before choosing the product | The artwork may not fit the printable area, shape, or orientation | Start with the exact product template and method |
| Placing important content near an edge | Normal placement or trimming variation may cut it off | Keep essential content inside the defined safe area |
| Ignoring seams, handles, curves, or hardware | The design can become obstructed, distorted, or discontinuous | Review the physical product and mark restricted zones |
| Using details that are too fine | Small text, thin strokes, and tight gaps may not reproduce | Design to the method's tested minimum feature size |
| Using a border close to the product edge | Minor placement variation becomes visually obvious | Increase the inset or remove the border |
| Assuming screen color equals production color | Devices, ink, material, coating, and lighting reproduce color differently | Use the requested profile and approve a physical proof when color matters |
| Using transparency unintentionally | Part of the product or underbase may show through | Inspect against light, dark, and product-colored backgrounds |