How to Choose a Body Text Font

When you're writing large blocks of copy, your goal should be to design for the comfort of the reader. Use these tips to ensure maximum readability in your documents.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fontographer (Macromedia)
• Computer Fonts Software

1. Choose a font designed for readability. Avoid the temptation to choose an intricate font for large blocks of type.

2. Look at publications you enjoy and try to imitate their designs. You'll be surprised by how many publications use Times or Times New Roman as their body type.

3. Choose a font with readable character spacing. If the characters in your font are monospaced (as if typed on a typewriter) your readers' eyes may stop at each character.

4. Choose a type size that's appropriate for the width of your document. If your readers have to read too many words before they hit the end of the line, they'll get tired.

5. Try breaking up large blocks of type with a heading. Your heading can be the same size as your body text, but you may want to choose a contrasting font.

Tips & Warnings

• Serif fonts (fonts with little feet) tend to be easiest to read at small point sizes.
• Most designers mastered their trade by studying others' designs (layouts). Start collecting designs you like, and experiment with trying to create them on your own: choose the fonts, create headings, body text, and other styles, and establish specifications for margins and art placement.
• The fonts you choose for print may differ from fonts you choose for Web pages or other on-screen work (many people, for example, find it easier to read smaller type on a page than on screen). Test your designs to make sure you're picking the best format for the medium you're working with.
• Designs (layouts) are protected by copyright. While imitation can be a form of flattery, restrict your imitations to learning more about design.