From Figma to Framer: A Clean Handoff Guide

Introduction

You’ve crafted a beautiful design in Figma, and now it’s time to bring it to life. But moving from Figma to Framer isn’t just about replicating visuals; it’s about ensuring the structure, responsiveness, and interactions translate seamlessly into a high-performing, editable Framer site.

At Frame Studio, we specialize in this process, and in this guide, we’ll walk you through practical steps to prepare your Figma files for a clean Framer handoff, ensuring your design vision is fully preserved.

Organize Your Layers and Naming Conventions

• Framer reads your Figma file structure, so a messy Figma file leads to confusion during the build.

• Group related elements clearly (e.g., headers, footers, sections).

• Use descriptive layer names (e.g., Hero Button, Service Card, Footer Links).

• Flatten unnecessary nested groups to avoid deep layer hierarchies.

Tip: Consistent naming helps with auto-layout translation and speeds up component creation in Framer.

Use Consistent Auto Layout

• Auto Layout in Figma can translate into Framer’s layout constraints, making it easier to build responsive sections.

• Apply Auto Layout to buttons, cards, nav bars, and sections.

• Test resizing in Figma to see how your design adapts across screen sizes.

• Keep padding and spacing consistent for scalable layouts.

Define Your Typography and Color Styles

• Establish reusable styles for headings, paragraphs, and buttons.

• Create text styles for all typography (H1, H2, body, captions).

• Use color styles for your palette instead of manual hex values.

• Label styles clearly (Primary Button, Accent Color) for easier mapping in Framer.

This approach ensures consistency across your Framer build and makes theme updates easier in the future.

Plan for Interactions and Animations

• Framer shines with its powerful interactions, but it helps to plan ahead:

Identify where you want hover, scroll, or load animations.

• Note down easing preferences, delays, and interaction triggers.

• Share an interaction guide or a Loom walkthrough with your developer or team.

• This preparation ensures your site feels dynamic without overcomplicating the build.

Export Assets Correctly

For images, icons, and illustrations:

• Use SVG for logos and icons for scalability.

• Export images in WebP or optimized PNG/JPEG with appropriate resolutions.

• Name exported assets clearly (hero-image.webp, icon-check.svg).

• Framer supports drag-and-drop asset integration, so clean exports speed up implementation.

Communicate Responsiveness Expectations

• Design for desktop, tablet, and mobile breakpoints in Figma if possible.

• Use Figma’s layout grids to demonstrate your preferred column structure.

• Highlight sections where layout changes should happen on smaller screens.

Note any content or element prioritization for mobile.

This ensures your Framer build is responsive in a way that aligns with your design intent.

Conclusion

A clean handoff from Figma to Framer doesn’t just make your developer’s life easier; it protects your design’s integrity and speeds up your timeline to launch.