# Environment and merchandise Photo mockups for signage, outdoor advertising, clothing and merchandise. **TL;DR** Try the design on the thing it will become, then check dimensions and production requirements with the supplier. A convincing mockup is useful. It is not a print proof, however nicely it wears the T-shirt. Status: Working reference ## Before you start For: Designers preparing physical applications Use when: An identity needs to work on signs, spaces or merchandise. Bring: Production dimensions, materials, artwork rights and supplier requirements. Leave with: Reviewed mockups and supplier-ready artwork where specifications are known. ## Worked example (fictional) A fictional workshop needs a door sign and tote. Approve the composition in a mockup, then prepare separate vector artwork using the supplier’s print area. ## Check the result Obtain a proof and check scale, color handling and production tolerances with the supplier. ## Limitations A realistic mockup is not print-ready artwork. Green areas in the source are placeholders, not deliverables. A logo that looks right on a screen can disappear on a door or become enormous on a shirt. These mockups let you look at the identity in a place, at something closer to the scale someone will encounter it. Put approved artwork into the green areas and check the light, perspective, and crop. Once the composition works, ask the supplier for the actual production specification. The mockup helps you choose; the printer still needs a separate file. ## Method 1. Choose the formats in your brief and check the destination requirements. 2. Gather the approved copy, brand files, and licensed images. Use the production prompt as a checklist or paste it into your assistant. 3. Keep editable masters in your design app. Export the files, open them, and review the actual result before publishing or sending it to a supplier. A page of environmentals and swag with the brand in, not the green. ## Handoff Record the input sources, decisions, assumptions, owner and acceptance checks. Have the responsible person approve the record before downstream automation. ## Tools, in order ### Before the mockup Your production supplier · A versioned project folder Get dimensions, materials, printable areas, color requirements, and a proofing plan from the supplier. Carry forward: A production brief, not just a photograph. ### During exploration [Figma](https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/15145852043927-Create-and-manage-variables) · [Claude](https://claude.ai/), [ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com/), or [Grok](https://grok.com/) Use the photo mockups to compare scale, placement, and visual direction. Label simulated materials or details that have not been confirmed. Carry forward: A small set of clearly labeled mockups. ### Before ordering Your production supplier · A versioned project folder Prepare the separate production artwork and request a proof. Inspect the actual size, material, and tolerances with the supplier. Carry forward: Checked artwork and an explicit proof approval. ### Review the work with partners We make and revise the work with Claude, ChatGPT, or Grok, then put selected versions on our Studio project pages for partners to review. Check the preview before sharing it. You can do the same with a private prototype or shared document; use a workspace that can access the files you need. Name the version, say what changed, and ask the question you need answered. Keep feedback with that version and discuss conflicting requests before making the next changes. Confirm approval separately, and keep confidential work in a restricted space. For this method: Is the direction right, and what still needs a physical proof before we commit? ### Delegate the routine work Name files, prepare a production checklist, or apply approved artwork to a defined set of mockups. Keep with a person: A realistic image cannot approve materials, manufacturing tolerances, or an order. [Sequence prompts, then delegate](https://noord.dev/polder/delegating-with-prompts) [Choose a model for the design task](https://noord.dev/polder/choosing-design-models) Source: https://noord.dev/polder/environmental-swag Public working material from Noord. Third-party code, fonts and assets retain their own licenses. Publication does not imply a license to redistribute third-party material. ## Complete source reference ```json { "slug": "environmental-swag", "name": "Environmental and swag", "summary": "Generated environmental graphics and swag blanks, green live areas, one workflow to put the brand in.", "title": "Environmental\nand swag", "subtitle": "Print-ready plates, not clip-art. The green is the live area. Composite the mark or a line, match the light, and never ship green.", "promptTitle": "Plan and produce the selected assets", "promptNote": "Copy this into your preferred assistant with the approved brief, or use it as a checklist in your design app. Choose only the formats you need. It does not create files until you run it in a tool that can do so.", "prompt": "Prepare environmental and swag for the project below.\n\nProject: [name]\nAudience and purpose: [who this is for, and what they should understand or do]\nApproved brand reference: [logo files, colors, fonts, voice and examples]\nApproved copy: [text, claims and links]\nSelected formats: [choose from the reference list below]\nCurrent specifications: [platform or print supplier's dated requirements]\nWorking app: [your design, image-editing or document app]\nOutput folder: [a folder you can access]\nReviewer: [name]\n\nFirst list the source files, required formats and missing inputs. Do not invent approvals, claims or specifications. The reference dimensions are planning examples; resolve conflicts against the current destination requirements before producing anything.\n\nBuild an editable master for each selected format. Place approved artwork in the intended live area, keep essential content clear of crop and interface overlays, and use licensed fonts and images. For photo mockups, match perspective and light; do not mistake a mockup for a print-ready production file. Ask the supplier for bleed, color profile, resolution and finishing requirements.\n\nExport only the agreed files into the chosen folder. If your tool cannot create or export a file, say so and provide the exact manual steps; do not claim that it exists.\n\nReview each export at its intended viewing size. Check spelling, crop, readability, dimensions, brand consistency, rights and file names. Record unresolved issues and ask the reviewer to approve the set before publishing or sending it to a supplier.\n\nReturn a manifest: filename | format | dimensions | editable source | review status. Include a short note explaining how to edit and re-export the work.\n\nReference formats:\n- Environment: Office door, Vinyl\n- Environment: Lobby screen, Landscape display\n- Environment: Billboard, Out of home\n- Environment: Bus stop, Abri\n- Environment: Subway, Platform poster\n- Environment: Conference, Booth wall\n- Swag: Hoodie, Chest print\n- Swag: Tote, Front panel\n- Swag: Mug, Wrap\n- Swag: Cap, Front panel\n- Swag: Notebook, Cover\n- Swag: Bottle, Wrap\n- Swag: Sticker sheet, Kiss-cut", "groups": [ { "id": "environment", "name": "Environment", "intro": "Reference layouts for Environment. Select the placements you need and confirm their current requirements before export.", "specs": [ { "id": "env-door", "name": "Office door", "size": "Vinyl", "w": 16, "h": 10, "kind": "photo", "src": "/brand/template/gs-outdoor.jpg", "note": "Mark, centered, vinyl scale." }, { "id": "env-lobby", "name": "Lobby screen", "size": "Landscape display", "w": 16, "h": 9, "kind": "photo", "src": "/resources/templates/env-lobby.jpg", "note": "Logo and one line, left aligned." }, { "id": "env-billboard", "name": "Billboard", "size": "Out of home", "w": 16, "h": 9, "kind": "photo", "src": "/resources/templates/env-billboard.jpg", "note": "One headline and the mark." }, { "id": "env-busstop", "name": "Bus stop", "size": "Abri", "w": 4, "h": 3, "kind": "photo", "src": "/resources/templates/env-busstop.jpg", "note": "The billboard system, behind glass." }, { "id": "env-subway", "name": "Subway", "size": "Platform poster", "w": 4, "h": 3, "kind": "photo", "src": "/resources/templates/env-subway.jpg", "note": "A longer line at reading distance." }, { "id": "env-conference", "name": "Conference", "size": "Booth wall", "w": 16, "h": 9, "kind": "photo", "src": "/resources/templates/env-conference.jpg", "note": "Large type that follows the wall." } ] }, { "id": "swag", "name": "Swag", "intro": "Reference layouts for Swag. Select the placements you need and confirm their current requirements before export.", "specs": [ { "id": "swag-hoodie", "name": "Hoodie", "size": "Chest print", "w": 4, "h": 3, "kind": "photo", "src": "/resources/templates/swag-hoodie.jpg" }, { "id": "swag-tote", "name": "Tote", "size": "Front panel", "w": 4, "h": 3, "kind": "photo", "src": "/resources/templates/swag-tote.jpg" }, { "id": "swag-mug", "name": "Mug", "size": "Wrap", "w": 4, "h": 3, "kind": "photo", "src": "/resources/templates/swag-mug.jpg" }, { "id": "swag-cap", "name": "Cap", "size": "Front panel", "w": 4, "h": 3, "kind": "photo", "src": "/resources/templates/swag-cap.jpg" }, { "id": "swag-notebook", "name": "Notebook", "size": "Cover", "w": 4, "h": 3, "kind": "photo", "src": "/resources/templates/swag-notebook.jpg" }, { "id": "swag-bottle", "name": "Bottle", "size": "Wrap", "w": 4, "h": 3, "kind": "photo", "src": "/resources/templates/swag-bottle.jpg" }, { "id": "swag-stickers", "name": "Sticker sheet", "size": "Kiss-cut", "w": 4, "h": 3, "kind": "photo", "src": "/resources/templates/swag-stickers.jpg" } ] } ] } ```