Design Patents FAQs

All patent application drawings require a sufficient number of views to constitute a complete disclosure. This may include any appropriate surface shading or broken lines to indicate non-design elements. Drawings are usually required to be in black ink on white paper. However, black and white photographs may also suffice if adequate views are shown. Color drawings or photographs may only be submitted if a petition is filed and granted by the Patent Office and an additional fee is paid.

The general guidelines for design patent application drawings are similar to those for utility patents. However, only external features should be shown (nothing structural or internal) and no reference numbers are required.