diff --git a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/[badge_id]/ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/[badge_id]/ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte
index c2e475e1..1561f9ec 100644
--- a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/[badge_id]/ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/[badge_id]/ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte
@@ -577,7 +577,10 @@ let select_ref_badge_type: HTMLSelectElement | undefined = $state();
 $effect(() => {
     const field = active_field;
     if (!field) return;
-    requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+    // Wait for the accordion CSS animation (185ms ease-out) to finish before focusing.
+    // requestAnimationFrame fires at ~16ms — the input is still 0px / overflow:hidden
+    // at that point, so focus() silently fails. 210ms clears the animation safely.
+    setTimeout(() => {
         switch (field) {
             case 'name':
                 input_ref_name?.focus();
@@ -601,7 +604,7 @@ $effect(() => {
                 select_ref_badge_type?.focus();
                 break;
         }
-    });
+    }, 210);
 });
 
 // --- Dirty detection: compare live edit value against the last-saved badge obj ---
@@ -2131,6 +2134,19 @@ let allow_tracking_open = $derived(
     font-size: 1.05rem;
 }
 
+/* Placeholder text must read clearly as a hint, not as filled content.
+   The placeholders show the current badge value (e.g. "John Smith") so
+   without this they look identical to a filled-in field. */
+.ctrl-accordion-inner input::placeholder,
+.ctrl-accordion-inner textarea::placeholder {
+    color: #9ca3af; /* gray-400 — visually distinct from input text */
+    opacity: 1;     /* Firefox sets opacity: 0.54 by default; override it */
+}
+:global(.dark) .ctrl-accordion-inner input::placeholder,
+:global(.dark) .ctrl-accordion-inner textarea::placeholder {
+    color: #6b7280; /* gray-500 in dark mode — readable but clearly a hint */
+}
+
 /* ---- Entrance animation for form content ----
        Triggered each time .open is applied to the parent accordion.
        Pairs with the height animation: content fades + zooms in from