by Anna Cruz

Created on: April 24, 2009

No matter the material you are designing, selecting the right fonts can be overwhelming. After all, there are hundreds of websites offering fonts, both for free and at a price. Font selection is a very important part of the design process. If readers can't decipher the words because of the typeface you chose or even if they have to squint to read your text, then they will give up before reading your message. And then there's the problem with

online printing - some fonts are not compatible with an office printer or even a commercial printer, a very frustrating problem when you've spent a lot of time aligning the fonts just so.

A font is a specific size and format of a typeface. For instance, Arial is a typeface family, Arial Black is a bolded typeface, but Arial Black 10pt. is a font. Therefore, the process of selecting fonts includes every aspect - the family, typeface and any styles, and size. Below are 5 tips that should help your decision be much less complicated.

1. Printing Considerations
There are several types of fonts available on your design program, computer, and on the internet. Avoid using the fonts that came with your computer as these were only designed to be printed on your desktop. Type 1 or Postscript fonts come with a cost but can easily be printed professionally without any transfer errors. TrueType fonts, which are most free fonts available online, can cause problems when it comes to printing, but check with your printing company. Some printers can receive TrueType fonts.

2. Serif and Sans Serif
Serif fonts are those typefaces that include flags and tags on the letters, such as with Times New Roman. Sans serif fonts do not contain any flags or tags, such as with Arial. Experts agree that you should reserve sans serif fonts for a large size, such as with headlines. Serif fonts are normally used in the body text because the extra curves on letters make a text more readable - they lead the reader along from word to word.

3. Simplicity is Best
Too many fonts and typefaces distract the reader from your message, so limit yourself to only a few. Designers usually use no more than three different fonts and two different typeface families. This allows for one typeface, such as a sans serif, for the headline, and another typeface, such as serif, for the body text. The best way to use limited fonts and typefaces is to be consistent with their use in your document. This creates an orderly look and makes the document more readable and easy to skim.

4. The Perfect Size
Choosing the right font size often depends on the size of your document. For instance, posters should contain headlines that can be seen from several feet away, usually a font size of between 24-48 points. Business cards, however, usually include fonts between 9 and 12 points. A brochure generally uses size 14 for headings and subheadings and size 12 for the body text. You will also want to consider your audience. If your readers are mostly senior citizens, then consider using larger than the standard size for your document.

5. Formatting Rules
Avoid all caps when using fonts, as it signifies shouting and can be difficult to read, distracting a reader from what you are trying to say. Also avoid too much underlining, bolding, or italicizing. Also distracting, too much format changes will confuse a reader as to your main point. When you do find the need to bold or italicize a word or two, use the typeface version of the style. Adding font styles to typefaces - such as when you select the bold on your toolbar in Word - that do not have a style version will only get lost when you send your document to your printing company.

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