Let’s talk fonts. They might seem like a small detail, but the fonts you choose can make a big impact on how your yearbook looks and feels. Whether you’re aiming for classic and clean or bold and modern, your font choices help set the tone for your entire book.
Here are some guidelines to help you pick fonts that not only look great but also work well in print. Just remember that sometimes rules are meant to be broken!
START SIMPLE
Begin with a few font options and test them out. See what fits your theme and layout best. You don’t need a dozen fonts, just a few that work well together.
CHOOSE A VERSATILE BODY FONT
Pick a body font that includes regular, bold, italic, and bold italic styles. This gives you flexibility while keeping your design cohesive.
KEEP LONG TEXT EASY TO READ
Avoid setting long blocks of text in bold, all caps, or anything other than regular weight. It’s harder on the eyes and can feel overwhelming.
STAY CONSISTENT
Once you’ve chosen your body font, stick with it. Don’t switch fonts, sizes, or line spacing (leading) withing the same section. Consistency is key to a polished look!
SERIF VS. SANS SERIF
Serif fonts (like Times New Roman) are easier to read in long paragraphs. Sans serif fonts (like Arial and Helvetica) are great for headlines, captions, and sidebars. They add contrast and help break up the page.
THINK SMALL
For tiny text, like sports scores or photo credits, go with a sans serif font. It stays legible even at small sizes.
CONTRAST IS KING
Black text on a white background is the most readable combo. Reversed text (wite on black) might look cool on screen, but it’s harder to read in print. Coloured text or text on coloured backgrounds? Even trickier.
BE CAREFUL WITH PHOTOS
Text over photos can be distracting and hard to read. If you must do it, make sure there’s enough contrast and the photo isn’t too busy.
USE UPPER AND LOWERCASE
Stick to sentence case for most of your text. All caps can work for short headlines, but avoid using them for full paragraphs.
SCRIPTS AND DECORATIVE FONTS
These can be fun, but they’re usually not great in all caps. Use them sparingly, maybe for a title or a pull quote.
BREAK IT UP
Long blocks of text can feel heavy. Use secondary headlines, pull quotes. Or fun story formats to keep things engaging.
Choosing fonts is part art, part science. Don’t be afraid to experiment but always keep readability in mind. Need help making your yearbook bold, beautiful, and perfectly kerned? Let Friesens help get your type game on point. Fill in the form below and we can teach your class how to make your story stand out, letter by letter.
