Every final export should be opened before it is packaged because export settings and source appearance do not prove the delivered file is correct. A saved preset may retain old dimensions, an invisible layer may reappear, or a crop may omit the decisive action. Treat each output as an artifact to inspect according to its intended use.
Verify identity and basic properties first
Match the exported file to the delivery matrix or confirmed requirements. Check filename, format, width and height, and physical page size where relevant. Confirm the file actually opens rather than merely appearing in the folder. A zero-length file, incomplete transfer, or wrong encoding can look superficially present until someone tries to use it.
Inspect the complete visible content against the approved source reference. Check crop, required objects, wording, and the absence of hidden draft material. Use the actual output orientation and dimensions. A preview viewed at a different ratio can hide an accidental crop, while a familiar composition can make an outdated label easy to overlook unless it is compared deliberately with approved copy.
Check the features specific to the format. For transparent PNG, inspect edges against relevant backgrounds. For JPEG, look at important fine lines and compression. For print output, verify page and bleed requirements. For layered files, inspect structure and dependencies as well as appearance. A universal glance at the thumbnail does not answer the different practical questions these files create.
Review the receiving experience where possible
Place screen assets in a representative layout or preview their intended platform behavior. Confirm that the important gesture remains visible at the actual display size. If the platform resizes or crops uploads, inspect that result when access is available. Record any unverified integration behavior rather than implying a local file check proves every downstream transformation will preserve the image.
For editable handoffs, open the supplied copy and try a representative agreed edit. A file can look correct while its text is rasterized or its links point to unavailable resources. Compare with an appearance reference if software conversion is involved. Explain known limitations clearly so the recipient does not discover a lost editing feature only after planning a revision around it.
Mark each output checked separately. Several variants may share a source, but a wrong export preset or stale text version can affect only one. After a correction, regenerate and reopen every affected file rather than assuming the previous checks still apply. Keep superseded outputs outside the final package so a verified new file cannot be confused with an older neighbor.
Package only the reviewed artifacts and preserve that exact set in the archive. If a required check cannot be completed, state the limitation and arrange the relevant recipient review through the agreed process. Opening every final export is a modest but consequential step that connects the approved illustration to the files actually delivered, catching practical failures that a polished source document alone cannot reveal.