How to prepare content for an infographic designer

1. One clear message

Decide what the reader should understand after looking at the infographic for a few seconds. Write it as one sentence, such as most small businesses lose customers because of slow replies, or our process takes five simple steps. Everything in the infographic should support that message. If you have several messages, consider several infographics or a series of slides rather than one crowded image.

2. Audience and use

Describe who will see it and where: social media followers scrolling quickly, readers of a blog post, attendees at a trade show or decision makers in a report. A social media graphic needs bold, simple visuals and large text. A report graphic can include more detail. Knowing the use also tells the designer the size and format to work with.

3. Checked data with sources

Provide the numbers in a spreadsheet, along with the source for each. Check the data carefully before sending it, because errors in an infographic are highly visible and easily shared. Note which numbers matter most, and round them where precision is not needed. If you are summarizing research, a research writer can collect and verify information first. For complex datasets, a data visualization specialist can suggest the most accurate chart types.

4. A text outline

Write a simple outline: a headline, short section headings, the key points or numbers in each section and a closing line or call to action. Keep text short. Designers can suggest visuals for each section, but the words and order should come from you. If you are describing a process, list the steps in order. If you are comparing options, list the criteria and values for each.

5. Style and brand

Share your logo, brand colors, fonts and any icons or illustrations you already use. Send two or three examples of infographics you like and explain why, such as clean layout, playful illustrations or bold numbers. Mention any styles to avoid. Consistency with your brand helps people recognize your content when it is shared.

6. Format and sizes

List the formats you need: a tall vertical image for a blog, square or vertical slides for social media carousels, a presentation slide or a printable poster. Ask for versions sized for each, rather than one image stretched to fit. For web use, ask for files optimized for fast loading, and consider providing the key text as normal page text too, which helps accessibility and search engines.

7. Review carefully

When you receive drafts, check every number against your spreadsheet, read all text and look at the infographic at the size people will see it, such as on a phone. Make sure charts are accurate: bars and areas should be proportional to the values. Ask someone unfamiliar with the topic whether they understand the main message. Then send all feedback in one list.

Common infographic mistakes

Typical problems include too many numbers competing for attention, charts that distort the data with uneven scales, decorative icons that add clutter rather than meaning, and text too small to read on a phone. Another is skipping sources, which reduces trust. Keep the design focused on the main message and cut anything that does not support it.

Preparation checklist

• One clear message in a sentence.
• Audience and where it will be used.
• Data in a spreadsheet with sources, checked.
• Text outline with headline, sections and call to action.
• Brand assets and example infographics.
• Formats and sizes for each channel.
• Plan for checking numbers and readability.

Ask for editable source files so the infographic can be updated when new data arrives. Our infographic design guide explains how to compare designers and what packages usually include.