Common Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Quote Images
Quote images are everywhere—from Instagram feeds to Pinterest boards and even professional presentations. These visually appealing cards are powerful tools for spreading inspiration, branding your voice, or boosting engagement with your audience. But just slapping text over a pretty background isn’t enough. A poorly designed quote image can turn away viewers and harm your credibility. Whether you're an influencer, entrepreneur, or creative professional, it’s crucial to design quote images that are both visually pleasing and highly shareable.
At QuotesMaker, we’ve seen countless designs, both great and not-so-great. In this article, we’ll break down the common mistakes to avoid when creating quote images, so your content stands out (for the right reasons!). You’ll learn practical, actionable tips to make your creations shine and discover how avoiding these slip-ups can dramatically boost your engagement. Ready to design like a pro? Let's dive in.
Table of Contents
Choosing Difficult-to-Read Fonts
One of the most frequent errors in quote image design is picking fonts that are hard to read. Swirly scripts or overly decorative fonts might look fancy, but they often sacrifice clarity. A quote only works if people can actually read it without squinting. When creating visuals with QuotesMaker, always test readability on both desktop and mobile. Even if you love a font, ask yourself if it communicates clearly at different sizes. For more on font legibility, check out this complete guide.
Consider sticking with clean sans-serif or simple serif fonts for the body of your quote. Reserve those unique or script fonts for emphasis (maybe just one or two key words). Remember, the goal is to deliver your message quickly—especially in a fast-scrolling social feed. Quotes lost to poor font choice are opportunities wasted.
For best results, test your image with friends or colleagues. If they stumble over the text, it’s time for a font rethink. The right font makes your message shine, while a bad one can bury it.
Quote Image Font Comparison
| Font Style | Readability on Mobile | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Sans-serif | High | Main quote text |
| Script | Low–Medium | Keyword highlight |
| Decorative | Low | Rare, accent only |
Overcomplicating Backgrounds
Another common pitfall is using backgrounds that are too busy or distracting. Remember, the star of your quote image should be the actual quote, not the backdrop. Overly detailed photos, wild gradients, or cluttered patterns fight for attention with your text—and usually win in a bad way. Simplicity is your friend when it comes to backgrounds.
QuotesMaker offers easy-to-use background customizations so you can quickly test solid colors, subtle gradients, or gentle texture. Aim for backgrounds that support your message, not overpower it.
If you’re using a photo, add a slight blur or semi-transparent overlay behind your text. This technique, used by many top designers (see examples on Canva’s design blog), helps prevent busy details from hurting legibility.
Ignoring Color Contrast
Color contrast is essential for readability and accessibility. Using light text on a light background (or dark on dark) makes your quote nearly invisible, especially for people with visual impairments. Good contrast not only improves legibility, but also stops viewers from scrolling past your post. You can use online tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker to make sure your text stands out.
Stick to strong, high-contrast combos, such as black text on a white background, or white text on dark blue. Avoid using red and green together, since some people have color vision deficiencies. Even simple changes like adding a shadow or outline can make important words pop without sacrificing your color scheme.
Always preview your design on multiple devices. What looks good on your laptop might be hard to read on a phone. Prioritizing smart color choices will keep your quote images both beautiful and effective.
Crowding the Design with Too Much Text
When designing quote images, less is almost always more. Packing too much text into your visual makes it look cluttered, overwhelming, and hard to digest. Aim for concise, memorable wording—let your quote breathe!
Break long quotes into shorter lines, and use line breaks for emphasis. White space is your secret weapon: it keeps the layout clean and draws the eye to your main message. The table below shows a quick reference between effective and ineffective text layouts:
| Layout Type | Impact | Engagement |
|---|---|---|
| Concise | Eye-catching | High |
| Wordy | Cluttered | Low |
If your quote feels too long, consider trimming non-essential words or breaking it into a series. A simple, clear message inspires—and invites more shares.
Skipping Branding Elements
Don’t forget your brand! Adding branding elements like your logo or handle is key to building recognition as people share your images. Subtle, well-placed branding turns views into new followers and clients. On QuotesMaker, you can easily upload logos or add website URLs—just don’t let them overpower your quote. Think of branding as your signature, not the headline.
Consistent branding with font choices, color palettes, and logo placement helps establish your visual identity. Especially if you’re using AI generated quotes, unique branding ensures your content stands apart from the crowd.
Conclusion
Designing great quote images doesn’t have to be hard—just remember to prioritize readability, keep backgrounds simple, use effective contrast, avoid text clutter, and always incorporate your branding. By following these practical tips and avoiding the most common design mistakes, you’ll increase engagement and get your inspirational messages noticed.
Ready to take your quote images to the next level? Try QuotesMaker for free today and unlock gorgeous, shareable visuals. With easy customizations, AI-powered quotes, and instant downloads, you’ll create memorable content in minutes. Start designing, stand out, and inspire your audience!