January 14, 2026 · 7 min read
Before You Print: A Checklist for Better Poster Results
A fast pre-print review checklist to reduce bad crops, blurry exports, and color surprises.
By MDPoster Team · 7 min read
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Why posters fail at the last step
Most poster issues are not generation failures. They are approval failures: rushed review, wrong export, or missing backup version. A repeatable checklist dramatically lowers expensive mistakes.
Treat the final review as production QA, not as a quick visual glance.
Composition check
Start with framing. Ensure the subject is intentionally placed and key details are not touching edges in a distracting way.
- Primary subject has visual breathing room
- Eyes and focal elements are not near crop boundaries
- Background supports subject instead of competing with it
Detail check
Zoom in and inspect high-risk regions: eyes, hands, jewelry, logos, and text overlays. Minor artifacts are easy to miss on mobile but obvious on a print.
- Skin and facial features are coherent
- Hands look natural and proportional
- Text has no spelling or kerning issues
- No obvious AI artifacts in textured regions
Color and environment check
Room lighting changes perception. A cool-toned image can feel flat under warm interior bulbs. Preview with your likely viewing environment in mind.
If possible, compare versions on two screens before final export.
Export and file management check
Export the highest-quality file available and store a second approved variant. Name files systematically for reorders and frame-size experiments.
- Highest quality export selected
- Main file + backup file saved
- Filename includes style, subject, and date
- Files stored in one dedicated folder
Final go/no-go rule
If one issue still bothers you after a focused review, regenerate before printing. Re-rendering now is cheap; reprinting later is not.
A ten-minute review process can save days of delay for gifts, launches, or room makeovers.
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