Broken rendering and inaccessible layouts lower engagement and, in some jurisdictions, create legal exposure.
How to implement email design and accessibility#
- Use a single-column layout that reflows on mobile.
- Set alt text on every meaningful image and empty alt on decorative ones.
- Maintain 4.5:1 contrast and at least 16px body text.
- Include a plain-text alternative and test in dark mode.
How to verify it worked#
Send a test message to seed mailboxes at Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo, then inspect the Authentication-Results and delivery headers. Repeat after any DNS or sending-platform change.
Common mistakes#
- Text embedded in images with no alt.
- Tiny grey text on light backgrounds.
Frequently asked questions#
Does dark mode change email colors?
Some clients invert or adjust colors. Test in Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail dark modes and use transparent PNGs where possible.