The need for mass-produced inexpensive wireless devices operating under strict energy constraints poses new challenges in the system design methodology. This paper presents a methodology for designing wireless nodes in which a low cost, reliable antenna is realized by printed circuit traces. We show how to combine the analysis from 2.5D and 3D EM simulators with the PCB design tools to create predictable nodes with printed antennas that meet stringent power and data transmission range goals. The presented approach is applied to the design of a IEEE802.15.4 wireless node deployed in several indoor environments.