diff --git a/plantuml/default-skin.ipu b/plantuml/default-skin.ipu
index 021528d..c98924f 100644
--- a/plantuml/default-skin.ipu
+++ b/plantuml/default-skin.ipu
@@ -6,8 +6,13 @@
 	' slightly rounded boxes
 	RoundCorner 8
 
+	' make PNGs transparent
 	BackgroundColor transparent
 
+	' slightly increase space around participants
+	ParticipantPadding 5
+
+
 	DefaultFontName Roboto Condensed
 	TitleFontName Open Sans
 	TitleFontStyle bold