font size for a magazine?

Forum|Forum|16 years ago
April 10, 2009
3 replies
47994 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.

Peter Spier

Community Expert

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

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

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!

Z

zeroskillz

Inspiring

In which case Id definately go on the large size, considering the age, but also the lighting you'd expect in an auditorium (if this is a program handed out at the show). Dim lights and old eyes = big font, and I'd increase the leading a bit to make it nice and readable.

just my 2 cents.

HTH

-Ted

A

Anonymous

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.