diff --git a/docs/usage.ipynb b/docs/usage.ipynb
index bebf67de..b4cc7853 100644
--- a/docs/usage.ipynb
+++ b/docs/usage.ipynb
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
    "source": [
     "from IPython.display import Markdown\n",
     "\n",
-    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(reaction, collapse_graphs=True, markdown=True)\n",
+    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(reaction, collapse=\"topology\", markdown=True)\n",
     "Markdown(source)"
    ]
   },
diff --git a/docs/usage/custom-topology.ipynb b/docs/usage/custom-topology.ipynb
index ba27e2c6..1d27912b 100644
--- a/docs/usage/custom-topology.ipynb
+++ b/docs/usage/custom-topology.ipynb
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@
    },
    "outputs": [],
    "source": [
-    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(reaction_kk, collapse_graphs=True, markdown=True)\n",
+    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(reaction_kk, collapse=\"topology\", markdown=True)\n",
     "Markdown(source)"
    ]
   },
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@
    },
    "outputs": [],
    "source": [
-    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(reaction_ep, collapse_graphs=True, markdown=True)\n",
+    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(reaction_ep, collapse=\"topology\", markdown=True)\n",
     "Markdown(source)"
    ]
   },
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@
    },
    "outputs": [],
    "source": [
-    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(reaction_ep_no_mass, collapse_graphs=True, markdown=True)\n",
+    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(reaction_ep_no_mass, collapse=\"topology\", markdown=True)\n",
     "Markdown(source)"
    ]
   }
diff --git a/docs/usage/ls-coupling.ipynb b/docs/usage/ls-coupling.ipynb
index fe1cb927..e1b4e7e8 100644
--- a/docs/usage/ls-coupling.ipynb
+++ b/docs/usage/ls-coupling.ipynb
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@
     "    allowed_interaction_types=\"strong\",\n",
     "    max_angular_momentum=3,\n",
     ")\n",
-    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(reaction, markdown=True, render_node=True, strip_spin=True)\n",
+    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(reaction, collapse=\"spin\", markdown=True, render_node=True)\n",
     "Markdown(source)"
    ]
   }
diff --git a/docs/usage/reaction.ipynb b/docs/usage/reaction.ipynb
index ebf2a254..d61e9365 100644
--- a/docs/usage/reaction.ipynb
+++ b/docs/usage/reaction.ipynb
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@
    },
    "outputs": [],
    "source": [
-    "source = io.asmermaid(lc2pkpi_reaction, collapse_graphs=True, markdown=True)\n",
+    "source = io.asmermaid(lc2pkpi_reaction, collapse=\"topology\", markdown=True)\n",
     "Markdown(source)"
    ]
   },
@@ -480,7 +480,7 @@
    },
    "outputs": [],
    "source": [
-    "source = io.asmermaid(reaction, collapse_graphs=True, markdown=True, render_node=False)\n",
+    "source = io.asmermaid(reaction, collapse=\"topology\", markdown=True, render_node=False)\n",
     "Markdown(source)"
    ]
   },
diff --git a/docs/usage/visualize.ipynb b/docs/usage/visualize.ipynb
index dbf1d86a..2c0c3283 100644
--- a/docs/usage/visualize.ipynb
+++ b/docs/usage/visualize.ipynb
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@
    "cell_type": "markdown",
    "metadata": {},
    "source": [
-    "Since this list of all possible spin projections {attr}`~.ReactionInfo.transitions` is rather long, it is often useful to use `strip_spin=True` or `collapse_graphs=True` to bundle comparable graphs. First, {code}`strip_spin=True` allows one collapse (ignore) the spin projections (we again show a selection only):"
+    "Since this list of all possible spin projections {attr}`~.ReactionInfo.transitions` is rather long, it is often useful to collapse comparable graphs. First, {code}`collapse=\"spin\"` allows one to collapse (ignore) the spin projections (we again show a selection only):"
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@
    "outputs": [],
    "source": [
     "first_transitions = reaction.transitions[:3]\n",
-    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(first_transitions, markdown=True, strip_spin=True)\n",
+    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(first_transitions, collapse=\"spin\", markdown=True)\n",
     "Markdown(source)"
    ]
   },
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@
     "    first_transitions,\n",
     "    markdown=True,\n",
     "    render_node=True,\n",
-    "    strip_spin=True,\n",
+    "    collapse=\"spin\",\n",
     ")\n",
     "Markdown(source)"
    ]
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@
    "cell_type": "markdown",
    "metadata": {},
    "source": [
-    "If that list is still too much, there is {code}`collapse_graphs=True`, which bundles all graphs with the same final state groupings:"
+    "If that list is still too much, {code}`collapse=\"topology\"` bundles all graphs with the same final state groupings:"
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@
    "outputs": [],
    "source": [
     "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(\n",
-    "    reaction, collapse_graphs=True, markdown=True, render_node=False\n",
+    "    reaction, collapse=\"topology\", markdown=True, render_node=False\n",
     ")\n",
     "Markdown(source)"
    ]
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@
    "metadata": {},
    "outputs": [],
    "source": [
-    "dot = qrules.io.asdot(reaction, collapse_graphs=True, render_node=False)\n",
+    "dot = qrules.io.asdot(reaction, collapse=\"topology\", render_node=False)\n",
     "graphviz.Source(dot)"
    ]
   },
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@
     "    )\n",
     "    for t in reaction.transitions\n",
     "})\n",
-    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(jpc_ig_transitions, collapse_graphs=True, markdown=True)\n",
+    "source = qrules.io.asmermaid(jpc_ig_transitions, collapse=\"topology\", markdown=True)\n",
     "Markdown(source)"
    ]
   },
diff --git a/src/qrules/io/__init__.py b/src/qrules/io/__init__.py
index df57950d..6e176d33 100644
--- a/src/qrules/io/__init__.py
+++ b/src/qrules/io/__init__.py
@@ -14,10 +14,12 @@
 import attrs
 import yaml
 
-from qrules.io import _dict, _dot, _mermaid
+from qrules.io import _dict, _dot, _labels, _mermaid
 from qrules.particle import Particle, ParticleCollection
 from qrules.topology import Topology
 
+CollapseMode = _labels.CollapseMode
+
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from _typeshed import StrPath
 
@@ -63,8 +65,7 @@ def asdot(
     render_final_state_id: bool = True,
     render_resonance_id: bool = False,
     render_initial_state_id: bool = False,
-    strip_spin: bool = False,
-    collapse_graphs: bool = False,
+    collapse: CollapseMode | None = None,
     edge_style: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
     node_style: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
     **figure_style: Any,
@@ -77,12 +78,11 @@ def asdot(
     Args:
         instance: the input `object` that is to be rendered as DOT (graphviz) language.
 
-        strip_spin: Normally, each `.MutableTransition` has a `.Particle` with a spin
-            projection on its edges. This option hides the projections, leaving only
-            `.Particle` names on edges.
-
-        collapse_graphs: Group all transitions by equivalent kinematic topology
-            and combine all allowed particles on each edge.
+        collapse: Optionally combine transitions. With ``"spin"``, transitions that
+            differ only in their spin projections are combined. With ``"topology"``,
+            transitions with equivalent kinematic topologies are grouped and all allowed
+            particles on each edge are collected. Node properties cannot be rendered
+            when collapsing by topology.
 
         render_node: Whether or not to render node ID (in the case of a `.Topology`)
             and/or node properties (in the case of a `.MutableTransition`). Meaning of
@@ -114,8 +114,7 @@ def asdot(
         render_final_state_id=render_final_state_id,
         render_resonance_id=render_resonance_id,
         render_initial_state_id=render_initial_state_id,
-        strip_spin=strip_spin,
-        collapse_graphs=collapse_graphs,
+        collapse=collapse,
         figure_style=figure_style,
         edge_style=edge_style,
         node_style=node_style,
@@ -131,8 +130,7 @@ def asmermaid(
     render_final_state_id: bool = True,
     render_resonance_id: bool = False,
     render_initial_state_id: bool = False,
-    strip_spin: bool = False,
-    collapse_graphs: bool = False,
+    collapse: CollapseMode | None = None,
     figure_style: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
     edge_style: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
     node_style: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
@@ -148,14 +146,12 @@ def asmermaid(
         instance: the input `object` that is to be rendered as Mermaid flowchart
             source.
 
-        strip_spin: Normally, each `.MutableTransition` has a `.Particle` with a spin
-            projection on its edges. This option hides the projections, leaving only
-            `.Particle` names on edges.
-
-        collapse_graphs: Group all transitions by equivalent kinematic topology
-            and combine all allowed particles on each edge. With LaTeX rendering,
-            particle lists longer than six entries are arranged in columns of at most
-            six rows.
+        collapse: Optionally combine transitions. With ``"spin"``, transitions that
+            differ only in their spin projections are combined. With ``"topology"``,
+            transitions with equivalent kinematic topologies are grouped and all allowed
+            particles on each edge are collected. Node properties cannot be rendered
+            when collapsing by topology. With LaTeX rendering, particle lists longer
+            than six entries are arranged in columns of at most six rows.
 
         render_node: Whether or not to render node ID (in the case of a `.Topology`)
             and/or node properties (in the case of a `.MutableTransition`). Meaning of
@@ -191,8 +187,7 @@ def asmermaid(
         render_final_state_id=render_final_state_id,
         render_resonance_id=render_resonance_id,
         render_initial_state_id=render_initial_state_id,
-        strip_spin=strip_spin,
-        collapse_graphs=collapse_graphs,
+        collapse=collapse,
         figure_style=figure_style,
         edge_style=edge_style,
         node_style=node_style,
diff --git a/src/qrules/io/_dot.py b/src/qrules/io/_dot.py
index cb0728b3..a49a03ed 100644
--- a/src/qrules/io/_dot.py
+++ b/src/qrules/io/_dot.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 from collections import abc
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
 
-from attrs import Attribute, define, field
+from attrs import define, field
 from attrs.converters import default_if_none
 
 from qrules.io import _labels
@@ -24,19 +24,6 @@
 _LOGGER = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-def _check_booleans(
-    instance: GraphvizPrinter,
-    _attribute: Attribute,
-    _value: bool,
-) -> None:
-    if instance.strip_spin and instance.collapse_graphs:
-        msg = "Cannot both strip spin and collapse graphs"
-        raise ValueError(msg)
-    if instance.collapse_graphs and instance.render_node:
-        msg = "Collapsed graphs cannot be rendered with node properties"
-        raise ValueError(msg)
-
-
 def _create_default_figure_style(style: dict[str, Any] | None) -> dict[str, Any]:
     figure_style = {"bgcolor": None}
     if style is None:
@@ -45,14 +32,13 @@ def _create_default_figure_style(style: dict[str, Any] | None) -> dict[str, Any]
     return figure_style
 
 
-@define(on_setattr=_check_booleans)
+@define(kw_only=True)
 class GraphvizPrinter:
     render_node: bool | None = None
     render_final_state_id: bool = True
     render_resonance_id: bool = False
     render_initial_state_id: bool = False
-    strip_spin: bool = False
-    collapse_graphs: bool = False
+    collapse: _labels.CollapseMode | None = None
 
     figure_style: dict[str, Any] = field(
         converter=_create_default_figure_style, default=None
@@ -99,9 +85,8 @@ def _render(self, obj: Any) -> list[str]:
     def _render_multiple_transitions(self, obj: Iterable) -> list[str]:
         transitions = _labels.select_transitions(
             obj,
-            collapse=self.collapse_graphs,
+            collapse=self.collapse,
             render_node=self.render_node,
-            strip_spin=self.strip_spin,
         )
         lines = []
         for i, graph in enumerate(reversed(transitions)):
diff --git a/src/qrules/io/_labels.py b/src/qrules/io/_labels.py
index 72957ebc..4fa1d55a 100644
--- a/src/qrules/io/_labels.py
+++ b/src/qrules/io/_labels.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 from fractions import Fraction
 from functools import singledispatch
 from inspect import isfunction
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Protocol
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Literal, Protocol, TypeAlias
 
 import attrs
 
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 
 _LOGGER = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+CollapseMode: TypeAlias = Literal["spin", "topology"]
 RenderedGraph = ProblemSet | QNProblemSet | Topology | Transition
 RenderPair = tuple[Topology, RenderedGraph]
 RenderInput = RenderedGraph | RenderPair
@@ -85,23 +86,28 @@ def select_transitions(
     graphs: Iterable[Any],
     /,
     *,
-    collapse: bool,
+    collapse: CollapseMode | None,
     render_node: bool | None,
-    strip_spin: bool,
 ) -> list[Any]:
     """Reduce a collection of transitions to the graphs that are worth rendering.
 
-    The ``collapse`` and ``strip_spin`` flags are the printer attributes
-    :code:`collapse_graphs` and :code:`strip_spin`. Spin projections can only be
-    stripped from the interaction nodes if those nodes are not rendered.
+    The ``collapse`` mode is the printer attribute :code:`collapse`. Spin projections
+    are only stripped from the interaction nodes if those nodes are not rendered, and
+    topologies cannot be collapsed at all while node properties are rendered.
     """
-    if collapse:
-        return collapse_graphs(graphs)
-    if strip_spin:
+    if collapse is None:
+        return list(graphs)
+    if collapse == "spin":
         if render_node:
             return sorted({strip_projections(g) for g in graphs})
         return get_particle_graphs(graphs)
-    return list(graphs)
+    if collapse == "topology":
+        if render_node:
+            msg = "Transitions collapsed by topology cannot render node properties"
+            raise ValueError(msg)
+        return collapse_graphs(graphs)
+    msg = f"Unknown collapse mode {collapse!r}; expected None, 'spin', or 'topology'"
+    raise ValueError(msg)
 
 
 def create_edge_label(
diff --git a/src/qrules/io/_mermaid.py b/src/qrules/io/_mermaid.py
index 16239713..f4d9a7aa 100644
--- a/src/qrules/io/_mermaid.py
+++ b/src/qrules/io/_mermaid.py
@@ -192,8 +192,7 @@ class MermaidPrinter:
     render_final_state_id: bool = True
     render_resonance_id: bool = False
     render_initial_state_id: bool = False
-    strip_spin: bool = False
-    collapse_graphs: bool = False
+    collapse: _labels.CollapseMode | None = None
     figure_style: dict[str, Any] = field(converter=_to_style_dict, default=None)
     edge_style: dict[str, Any] = field(converter=_to_style_dict, default=None)
     node_style: dict[str, Any] = field(converter=_to_style_dict, default=None)
@@ -220,9 +219,8 @@ def _render(self, obj: Any) -> list[str]:
     def _render_multiple_transitions(self, obj: Iterable) -> list[str]:
         transitions = _labels.select_transitions(
             obj,
-            collapse=self.collapse_graphs,
+            collapse=self.collapse,
             render_node=self.render_node,
-            strip_spin=self.strip_spin,
         )
         lines: list[str] = []
         for i, graph in enumerate(reversed(transitions)):
diff --git a/tests/unit/io/test_dot.py b/tests/unit/io/test_dot.py
index 0531b1f3..5b012536 100644
--- a/tests/unit/io/test_dot.py
+++ b/tests/unit/io/test_dot.py
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@ def it_serializes_a_reaction(reaction: ReactionInfo):
             assert is_valid_dot(src)
         src = io.asdot(reaction)
         assert is_valid_dot(src)
-        src = io.asdot(reaction, strip_spin=True)
+        src = io.asdot(reaction, collapse="spin")
         assert is_valid_dot(src)
-        src = io.asdot(reaction, collapse_graphs=True)
+        src = io.asdot(reaction, collapse="topology")
         assert is_valid_dot(src)
 
     def it_exact_format(reaction: ReactionInfo):
@@ -186,10 +186,10 @@ def it_write_graph_list(output_dir: str, reaction: ReactionInfo):
                 src = stream.read()
             assert is_valid_dot(src)
 
-    def it_write_strip_spin(output_dir: str, reaction: ReactionInfo):
+    def it_write_collapsed_spin(output_dir: str, reaction: ReactionInfo):
         output_file = output_dir + "test_particle_graphs.gv"
         io.write(
-            instance=io.asdot(reaction, strip_spin=True),
+            instance=io.asdot(reaction, collapse="spin"),
             filename=output_file,
         )
         with open(output_file) as stream:
diff --git a/tests/unit/io/test_labels.py b/tests/unit/io/test_labels.py
index 97408197..ef58a6b2 100644
--- a/tests/unit/io/test_labels.py
+++ b/tests/unit/io/test_labels.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 from textwrap import dedent
 
 import attrs
+import pytest
 
 import qrules
 from qrules.io._labels import (
@@ -11,6 +12,7 @@
     collapse_graphs,
     create_edge_label,
     get_particle_graphs,
+    select_transitions,
     strip_projections,
 )
 from qrules.particle import Particle, ParticleCollection
@@ -355,6 +357,44 @@ def test_get_particle_graphs(
         assert graphs[0].states[i] is graphs[1].states[i]
 
 
+def describe_select_transitions():
+    def it_keeps_all_transitions(reaction: ReactionInfo):
+        transitions = reaction.transitions
+        selection = select_transitions(transitions, collapse=None, render_node=False)
+        assert selection == list(transitions)
+
+    def it_collapses_spin_into_particle_graphs(reaction: ReactionInfo):
+        transitions = reaction.transitions
+        selection = select_transitions(transitions, collapse="spin", render_node=False)
+        assert selection == get_particle_graphs(transitions)
+
+    def it_strips_projections_when_rendering_nodes(reaction: ReactionInfo):
+        transitions = reaction.transitions
+        selection = select_transitions(transitions, collapse="spin", render_node=True)
+        assert selection == sorted({strip_projections(t) for t in transitions})
+
+    def it_collapses_topologies(reaction: ReactionInfo):
+        transitions = reaction.transitions
+        selection = select_transitions(
+            transitions, collapse="topology", render_node=False
+        )
+        assert selection == collapse_graphs(transitions)
+
+    def it_rejects_node_properties_on_collapsed_topologies(reaction: ReactionInfo):
+        with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="cannot render node properties"):
+            select_transitions(
+                reaction.transitions, collapse="topology", render_node=True
+            )
+
+    def it_rejects_an_unknown_mode(reaction: ReactionInfo):
+        with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="Unknown collapse mode 'invalid'"):
+            select_transitions(
+                reaction.transitions,
+                collapse="invalid",  # ty: ignore[invalid-argument-type]
+                render_node=False,
+            )
+
+
 def test_strip_projections(skh_particle_version: str):
     assert skh_particle_version is not None  # skips test if particle version too low
     resonance = "Sigma(1670)~-"
diff --git a/tests/unit/io/test_mermaid.py b/tests/unit/io/test_mermaid.py
index 8af31221..bee8182c 100644
--- a/tests/unit/io/test_mermaid.py
+++ b/tests/unit/io/test_mermaid.py
@@ -174,13 +174,13 @@ def it_latex_reaction(reaction: ReactionInfo):
         assert labeled_lines
         assert all(line.count("$$") == 2 for line in labeled_lines)
 
-    def it_latex_collapsed_graph(reaction: ReactionInfo):
-        src = io.asmermaid(reaction, collapse_graphs=True, latex=True)
+    def it_latex_collapsed_topology(reaction: ReactionInfo):
+        src = io.asmermaid(reaction, collapse="topology", latex=True)
         assert R"$$\begin{gathered} f_{0}(980)" in src
         assert R"\\\ f_{0}(1500) \end{gathered}$$" in src
 
-    def it_latex_strip_spin(reaction: ReactionInfo):
-        src = io.asmermaid(reaction, strip_spin=True, latex=True)
+    def it_latex_collapsed_spin(reaction: ReactionInfo):
+        src = io.asmermaid(reaction, collapse="spin", latex=True)
         assert R"J/\psi(1S)$$" in src
         assert R"\gamma$$" in src
         assert R"\left[" not in src
@@ -211,10 +211,10 @@ def it_reaction(reaction: ReactionInfo):
         src = io.asmermaid(reaction, latex=False)
         assert src.startswith("flowchart LR\n")
         assert " --- " in src
-        src = io.asmermaid(reaction, strip_spin=True, latex=False)
+        src = io.asmermaid(reaction, collapse="spin", latex=False)
         assert src.startswith("flowchart LR\n")
         assert " --- " in src
-        src = io.asmermaid(reaction, collapse_graphs=True, latex=False)
+        src = io.asmermaid(reaction, collapse="topology", latex=False)
         assert src.startswith("flowchart LR\n")
         assert " --- " in src