How do I handle fonts?

Choosing the fonts for a particular project can be a difficult process for many people. There are a few general rules that many designers and layout artists follow to make the process a little easier.

• Limit the number of fonts used to two; one is even better.
• Use point size, italics and bold variations to add visual interest and appeal.
• Keep the contrast between the type and the background as high as possible for easy readability. Black type on a white background is best; reversing is second.
• After black, the first color choice for readability and impact is red.
• A more readable document will result from the use of traditional fonts such as: Times, Times Roman, Futura and Goudy.
• A serif font, like Times, is generally easier to read than one without serifs (sanserif), like Arial.
• White space (empty space) in a layout makes for an easier to read and often more impactful document.

It is very important that clients provide all printer and screen fonts used in their document - even if they are commonly used fonts. Not providing the fonts used in document is the most common reason for delay and additional cost in processing digital files.

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