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matthiask64112713
Participant
June 5, 2025
Question

font for minutes and similar documents that allows a lot of text in tables

  • June 5, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 219 views

Hej,

I am looking for a font for minutes and similar documents that is very easy to read and allows a lot of text in tables.
How small can such a font be?
Does anyone here have a tip for a tried and tested font? 

friendly regards
Matthias

    1 reply

    B
    Community Expert
    Bobby HendersonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 10, 2025

    Are the documents being printed on paper? Or will they only be read on electronic displays like computer monitors?

     

    Many factors affect how readable strings and blocks of type can be. The size of the letters is the most obvious factor. The style of type (sans serif, serif, script, etc.) affects readability too. Spacing of the letters (kerning, tracking) and amount of spacing between lines of copy also affect readability. All of those factors make it difficult to provide a simple answer to your question.

     

    Generally speaking, it's somewhat safe to set type for printed documents at 10-12 points or larger using general purpose serif or sans serif typefaces such as Minion Pro or Myriad Pro. Caution should be used setting type objects smaller. Type families that have many styles in various weights and widths can allow space on the page to be used more effectively.

      M
      matthiask64112713Author
      Participant
      June 12, 2025

      Yes, the documents are printed on paper, but are often also read on screens.

      I once learnt that the font should not be smaller than 9 pt and that serif fonts are better suited for a lot of text and for small text.
      Does Adobe have any font recommendations?

      B
      Community Expert
      Bobby HendersonCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 13, 2025

      The Adobe Fonts web site has a "recommendations" tab that includes various suggestions. They don't get deep into which fonts to use for specific cases and which fonts to avoid.

       

      For blocks of main copy it's usually best to use a serif typeface that was specifically designed for long text passages, be it the main copy in an article or the text in a novel. Typefaces like Minion Pro, Garamond Premier and Adobe Aldine have styles meant for small "caption" sizes, normal sizes and large "display" sizes. Text-oriented typefaces will often have "expert" character sets, such as native small capitals, ligatures, different number sets and more.

       

      Sans serif typefaces can be used to style blocks of text, but not too much. They'll work on headlines, bylines, pull quotes, sidebars and other limited elements on the page. I've seen magazines style the text in entire articles using sans serif typefaces or even unusual typefaces. The result might look interesting, but the text ends up often visually straining to read (especially if the line spacing is too tight).

       

      Some of the design choices come down to trial and error. You have to experiment to see what works visually.

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