KIPO Patent Drawing Requirements for Korean Applications

KIPO patent drawing requirements demand clean, reproducible black-and-white line drawings on A4 paper (210 mm × 297 mm) with margins of at least 2 cm on the top, left, and right, and 1.5 cm at the bottom. Figures must use solid black lines, Arabic reference numerals, and avoid color, photographs, and text except essential labels.

What Paper Size and Margins Does KIPO Require for Patent Drawings?

KIPO drawing standards are strict about physical presentation. Each sheet must be A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm). Minimum margins are 2.0 cm from the top, left, and right edges, and 1.5 cm from the bottom. The usable drawing area therefore measures at most 17 cm wide and 25.5 cm tall. Drawings submitted on letter-size paper or with narrow margins are routinely rejected in formality examination.

If you are preparing Korea patent figures from an existing US or European filing, do not simply reuse letter-size or A4 sheets without checking the margin layout. KIPO accepts electronically filed drawings as PDF, but the rendered sheet size must still be A4. Many applicants find that redrawing or re-cropping in a tool such as PatentDraw avoids formality objections at the Korean filing stage.

What Line Standards Apply to Korean Filing Drawings?

Korean filing drawings must use solid, durable black lines that remain legible after scanning and printing. KIPO does not specify a single line weight, but practical experience shows that lines between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm for main outlines and 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm for hatching and fine detail reproduce reliably. Lines that are too thin may break during electronic processing; lines that are too thick can merge adjacent features.

Shading is permitted only when it helps show the shape of a surface. Use evenly spaced oblique hatching rather than gray tones, stippling, or gradient fills. KIPO drawing standards reject halftone photographs, colored figures, and pencil sketches. If an application is filed with informal drawings, KIPO issues a notice requiring replacement drawings, which consumes time and can affect priority claims.

How Should Reference Numerals Appear in KIPO Drawings?

Every feature discussed in the detailed description must have a corresponding Arabic reference numeral in the drawing. Numerals should be at least 0.32 cm high, placed outside the figure where possible, and connected to the relevant part by a thin leader line. The same numeral must identify the same part in every figure.

KIPO does not require a specific font, but a simple sans-serif font such as Arial or Helvetica is safest. Avoid Korean characters inside drawings unless they are essential to the disclosure; if used, provide an English translation in the specification. Reference numerals must match the description exactly. A mismatch between Korea patent figures and the written description is one of the most common formality objections for foreign applicants.

Step-by-Step Workflow for Preparing KIPO-Compliant Drawings

1. Confirm the figure set. List every embodiment and view required: perspective, front, side, top, cross-sectional, and exploded views as needed.
2. Set the sheet to A4 with 2 cm top, left, and right margins and 1.5 cm bottom margin.
3. Draw with solid black vector lines. Use 0.2–0.4 mm main outlines and thinner lines for hatching and leaders.
4. Add reference numerals in Arabic, at least 0.32 cm high, outside the figure, connected by leader lines.
5. Number the figures consecutively as Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, and place the figure number below each drawing.
6. Remove all text not required for understanding. Do not include title blocks, drawing scales, or centerlines unless necessary.
7. Export as a high-resolution PDF and verify that the rendered sheet remains A4 with the required margins.
8. Cross-check every numeral against the specification and claims before filing.

Concrete Example: A Simple Mechanical Device

Suppose you are filing a Korean application for a foldable phone stand. The drawing set includes Fig. 1, a perspective view of the stand in an unfolded state; Fig. 2, a side view showing the hinge; and Fig. 3, a cross-sectional view along line A-A of Fig. 2.

In Fig. 1, the base plate is labeled 10, the support arm is 20, the hinge pin is 30, and the anti-slip pad is 40. The same numerals appear in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The cross-sectional view uses oblique hatching on the hinge pin and base plate. All lines are solid black, and all numerals sit outside the object with leader lines pointing to the correct feature. The sheets are A4 with the required margins. This set meets KIPO drawing standards and avoids the most common rejection triggers.

Common Mistakes That Trigger KIPO Drawing Objections

• Using US letter-size paper. KIPO requires A4. Letter-size sheets are rejected even if the drawing itself is otherwise correct.
• Including color or photographs. Color figures and photographs are not acceptable as formal drawings. Convert them to black-and-white line drawings or file them as non-limiting reference material only if permitted.
• Mismatched reference numerals. A numeral that appears in a drawing but not in the description, or vice versa, triggers a formality notice.
• Text-heavy drawings. KIPO discourages explanatory text inside figures. Move descriptions to the specification.
• Thin or broken lines. Lines that do not reproduce clearly after scanning cause objections. Use vector lines and test-print at 300 dpi.
• Incorrect margin layout. Margins below 2 cm on three sides or 1.5 cm at the bottom are a frequent issue when drawings are imported from other jurisdictions.

Because KIPO formality examination is strict, many practitioners prepare Korea patent figures separately rather than reusing drawings from other patent offices. A dedicated patent drawing workspace such as PatentDraw can help by enforcing A4 sheet size, margin guides, and line-weight presets while you work, but the final drawings still require human technical and professional review.

Frequently asked questions

Can I file black-and-white photographs as KIPO patent drawings?

Generally no. KIPO drawing standards require line drawings for formal figures. Black-and-white photographs are accepted only in exceptional cases where a photograph is the only practical way to disclose the invention, such as a micrograph or a gel image, and even then they must be clear and reproducible.

What file format should I use for KIPO electronic filing drawings?

KIPO accepts electronically filed drawings in PDF format. The PDF must render each sheet as A4 with the required margins. TIFF is also acceptable in some filing routes, but PDF is the safest current choice. Verify the final output before submission.

Do KIPO drawings need to include figure numbers and titles?

Each figure must be numbered consecutively, such as Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and the figure number should appear below the drawing. Titles or descriptive captions are not required inside the drawing sheet and are better placed in the brief description of the drawings in the specification.

AI-generated drawings and drafting suggestions are working drafts only. A qualified patent drafter or attorney must review all Korea patent figures for technical accuracy, rule compliance, and consistency with the specification before filing.