File Faster by Handling Drawing Fixes Yourself

Why Drawing Edits Shouldn’t Slow You Down

Patent filings often hit unexpected delays because of minor drawing issues:

• A label is slightly off
• A reference number is missing
• A figure doesn’t match a revised claim
• A shape needs to be adjusted for clarity

Each of these requires a back-and-forth with a drafter — unless you have the skill and tools to fix them yourself.

The result of waiting? Delays in filing, especially when deadlines are tight.
The result of learning a few essential drawing edits? Faster, more predictable workflows.

What Kind of Fixes Are We Talking About?

We’re not talking about redrawing the entire figure set.

These are localized, high-impact changes that commonly come up during prosecution, filing prep, or internal review:

• Replacing a part label
• Deleting or correcting a reference number
• Adding or adjusting a lead line
• Shifting layout for clarity
• Updating a figure to reflect a claim edit

Each of these can be handled in Visio with minimal effort — once you’ve learned the tuned-down approach used in Patent Drawing School.

Why Attorneys Are Well-Suited to Do This

Unlike generic drafters, patent attorneys:

• Know what the drawing must convey
• Understand claim structure and figure dependencies
• Can make better judgment calls about what stays and what changes

By learning to apply edits yourself, even selectively, you retain control over accuracy and timing — without needing to rely entirely on third parties for every minor update.

Visio Makes This Realistic — Not Overwhelming

You don’t need CAD skills to make edits. With the right setup:

• You open the Visio file
• Make the fix using prebuilt shapes or edit tools
• Save and go — the drawing is now corrected and compliant

Patent Drawing School teaches only the drawing tasks attorneys need — no filler, no advanced design work. This makes the skills practical to learn and apply, even if you’re not a visual thinker.

Strategic Advantages of In-House Fixes

By handling drawing fixes yourself (or training your assistant to do them), you unlock:

• Faster turnaround for time-sensitive filings
• Fewer delays between inventor feedback and submission
• Greater responsiveness during prosecution
• Reduced cost for small-but-frequent updates
• Better collaboration with drafters on complex filings

And over time, this becomes part of a more agile, standardized filing process.

What This Looks Like in Practice

• A filing deadline is 3 days away. You discover a missing reference number. Instead of emailing and waiting, you fix it in minutes.
• You revise claims and need a figure adjusted to match. Instead of describing it vaguely, you open the drawing and handle it directly.
• An examiner objects to labeling in a figure. You address it immediately and resubmit — no production delay.

These are real tasks attorneys face every month — and they can be cut down to minutes with the right drawing knowledge.