Choose three points before opening the artwork
For a small keepsake, identify the visual center, the nearest edge, and the reading direction before placing a name or date. These three points make it easier to explain why a design sits where it does, even when the object changes later.
Use a preview to check the clear space around the mark. A short name and one small symbol are easier to inspect than a crowded first layout. Save the version you reviewed and add a plain note about the object and intended viewing angle.
Make the first review easy to repeat
Keep the first trial focused on placement rather than adding multiple style choices at once. Compare the preview at normal viewing size, then decide what needs a physical-sample check. That leaves a useful record for the next revision without treating an early sample as a final result.
For related project context, browse the latest /updates/ entries.
