From idea to export: a checklist for on-brand social graphics

Inconsistent graphics erode trust faster than mediocre copy. A lightweight checklist keeps small teams fast without surrendering recognition—especially when more than one person touches creative.

Lock type and color tokens

Decide primary and secondary fonts, acceptable weights, and body sizes per format. Pair them with a tight palette: one background neutrals family, one accent, one semantic color for warnings or success if needed. Everything else is noise.

Define hierarchy with a one-glance rule

Someone should understand the post in under two seconds: headline delivers the promise, subtext delivers context, optional footer carries handle or tagline. If all three compete at the same weight, none win—mute secondary lines before you add ornament.

Safe margins and platform crops

Keep critical text inside safe zones; previews crop unpredictably on mobile. Export native sizes per destination where possible so compression artifacts do not soften thin strokes or small type.

Photography and logos

Use consistent crops on faces and products (same corner radius or mask family). Place logos predictably—usually corner or footer—not wherever empty space appears today. Legibility beats maximal branding.

Accessibility basics

Maintain contrast between text and background, avoid ultra-thin weights at small sizes, and prefer sentence case or title case consistently—ALL CAPS sparingly for short labels only.

Before you hit export

Zoom to phone width. Ask: Is the headline readable? Is the CTA obvious? Does it still feel like us? Those three questions catch most mistakes before they ship.