~ by Brad Schmidt, Trade Book Technical Support Specialist
When you’re publishing a book, every design choice matters…and fonts are no exception. We know that typography isn’t just about style, it’s about creating a seamless reading experience that keeps your audience engaged from cover to cover.
WHY READABILITY IS CRITICAL
Fonts influence how easily readers consume your content. Poor font choices can lead to eye strain, slow reading, and even frustration. Great typography, on the other hand, enhances comprehension and gives your book a polished, professional feel.
OUR BEST PRACTICES FOR FONT SELECTION
- Stick to Reliable Font Families: Choose fonts that include regular, bold, italic, and bold italic styles. This ensures flexibility without sacrificing consistency. Avoid relying on software styling for bold or italic…always select the actual font style.
- Use OpenType or Adobe Fonts: Friesens recommends OpenType fonts for trade books. They’re cross-platform compatible and print reliably, reducing the risk of text reflow during production.
- Serif vs Sans Serif: Serif fonts like Garamond or Baskerville are ideal for long-form reading in print. Their subtle strokes guide the eye across lines. Sans serif fonts like Helvetica or Lato work well for headings, captions, and reverse type applications.
SIZE, SPACING, AND CONTRAST
- Body Text: 10-12 for print books.
- Line Spacing: 120-145% of font size for comfortable reading.
- Contrast: Black text on white paper remains the gold standard. Avoid coloured text or text over images for body copy.
AVOID THESE COMMON FONT PITFALLS
- Thin fonts on coloured backgrounds…they can fill in or disappear during printing.
- Reverse type (white text on colour) at small sizes…keep it 12 pt or larger for clarity.
- Overusing decorative fonts…reserve them for titles or special design elements.
THE FRIESENS ADVANTAGE
Our team understands the technical and aesthetic aspects of typography. From offset and web printing to specialty finishes like foil stamping and spot gloss UV, we ensure your font choices look great and perform flawlessly in print.
Fonts are more than a design detail…they’re a cornerstone of readability and brand perception. If you want to learn more, check out our “Preparing Your Files for Print” guide for detailed specs and tips.
