13 PRACTICAL GUIDES

Composition & layout

Make one product idea easy to see through hierarchy, spacing, backgrounds and framing.

← All topics

The editor separates output size from mockup type and layout. After changing a ratio, review every device, crop and text block. These are design decisions rather than automatic guarantees: a layout that works for a wide hero often needs a simpler arrangement on a portrait canvas.

Give each mockup one clear message

Choose one feature or result for the viewer to notice first.

Read the guide ↗

Use negative space around a product mockup

Empty space separates the product from its surroundings and gives copy room to breathe.

Read the guide ↗

Choose a background that separates the product

Use contrast between the screenshot, frame and background to make edges readable.

Read the guide ↗

How much shadow should a mockup use?

Use enough shadow to separate overlapping layers without making the product look detached from the canvas.

Read the guide ↗

Balance mockup rotation with readability

Rotation adds movement, but interface text becomes harder to read as the angle grows.

Read the guide ↗

Arrange multiple devices without hiding the feature

Multiple devices work best when each has a clear role in the story.

Read the guide ↗

Choose fit or fill for screenshot placement

Fit preserves the whole image within a region; fill emphasizes coverage and may crop edges.

Read the guide ↗

Prevent frames and shadows from clipping at the canvas edge

Leave enough room for the entire visible object, including its shadow and rotation.

Read the guide ↗

Balance a headline with the screenshot

The headline explains the point while the screenshot supplies evidence.

Read the guide ↗

Keep a mockup series visually consistent

Repeat a small set of choices across a series: background family, frame treatment, spacing and headline style.

Read the guide ↗

Adapt a landscape mockup to a portrait canvas

A portrait version usually needs a new hierarchy rather than a scaled-down landscape layout.

Read the guide ↗

Use a thumbnail test before publishing a mockup

A small preview reveals whether the visual hierarchy survives real viewing conditions.

Read the guide ↗

Review a mockup with a simple visual checklist

Review content accuracy, hierarchy and output boundaries separately.

Read the guide ↗