Line is important to eye appeal because it, too, exerts a psychological effect. Lines can be labeled strong or week. The stronger the line, the more the eye is drawn to it.

When a platter has a strong line, guests are likely to feel more comfortable looking at it because that line provides a reference point.

Food often dictates the use of strong lines in its presentation. This is not surprising if you consider the way we look at food itself. Take an apple, for example. When the apple is fresh, it has clean, strong lines. As it deteriorates, it picks up more and more weak line characteristics. In this way, strong lines also enhance the perception of freshness.

An example of strong vs. weak lines on a platter layout is best shown by illustrating a common error using different shapes. By lining up slices to make a straight or smooth sided layout, you create a stronger line.