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J
jesusleon46
Known Participant
April 10, 2009
Answered

font size for a magazine?

  • April 10, 2009
  • 3 replies
  • 48008 views

Hello Everyone,

I am new in this and I am making a little magazine in Indesign. I am trying to find out

what would be the best recommendation about font sizes in a magazine. is there a

default size? Also, what kind of font family should I use?

I am using Times and 9pt for now!

I would appreciate any advise!! Thanks a lot!!

Jesus

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer

    I like to use a serif type Minion Pro, Warnock Pro and Arno Pro are my favorites. I wouldn't go smaller than 10pt unless you know everyone reading the magazine has 20/20 vision.

    3 replies

    Peter Spier
    Community Expert
    Peter SpierCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 11, 2009

    There's more to readability than just size. Some faces have larger or smaller x-heights or ascenders/descenders than others at a given size, and leading is an important factor, too. A large x-height is probably going to be more readable for older folks at any given size, but will require more leading to keep the lines from running together visually. You may find that the optimum solution is actually a "smaller-looking" face on narrower leading to keep the readability while maximizing the amount of text you can fit. There are always tradeoffs.

    Z
    zeroskillz
    Inspiring
    April 10, 2009

    There isnt really any hard rule...you're likely to get as many answers as there are answers to your post. I've used anywhere from 8 to 14 pt, but say on average 10 pt. It also depends heavily on the font I'm using, and the leading. I'd suggest that you print out a sample sheet with your font choice in different sizes with different leading, and see which one looks best and seems easiest to read.

    Just remember, the older your audience, the bigger the font.

    And to some degree serif fonts are more readable than sans serif. But opionions on that vary as well.

    personally, I'm not a fan of Times only because it is used so much, but theres nothing wrong with it really.

    hth

    -Ted

    J
    jesusleon46Author
    Known Participant
    April 10, 2009

    Thanks Ted! Actually is a magazine for old audience, this program is for Opera Performances,

    So I will try to print it before as you said!!!

    Thanks!

    T
    Thomas Phinney
    Inspiring
    April 12, 2009

    Funny, one of my standard talks at design conferences lately has been a rant on legibility, and the example of a conference program book is one of my favorites to use. Like an opera program book, folks may try to read it in poor lighting conditions. Of course, you have the added complication of an older audience... people tend to start losing their ability to focus close up in their early 40s. Probably 2/3 of your opera audience at least would be that old, or older.

    First off, ditch the background ENTIRELY unless looking classy is more important than readability (which it may be, I suppose). Black on white is going to be the easiest combo in poor reading conditions, which given the audience and the setting is >90% of what your opera program book will face.

    Other than that, lots of good advice in this thread.

    Cheers,

    T

    http://www.thomasphinney.com

    A
    Anonymous
    Correct answer
    April 10, 2009

    I like to use a serif type Minion Pro, Warnock Pro and Arno Pro are my favorites. I wouldn't go smaller than 10pt unless you know everyone reading the magazine has 20/20 vision.

      J
      jesusleon46Author
      Known Participant
      April 10, 2009

      Thank you .Buko for your advice!!

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