Last update: 04/15/2008

Producing materials in large print

Most people can benefit from materials in large print.  Large print encompasses everything from type size to color contrast. 

Type size

Type size affects readability. Type is measured by measuring a capital letter from the baseline to the top of the cap.

  • Type an inch tall is equal to 72 points.
  • Most books are set to 10 or 12 point type, newspapers and tool notes are often 8 point.
  • Persons with marginal difficulty in reading (a substantial percentage of the population 50 years of ages older) need 12 points type. Large print materials are most commonly available in 16 or 18 point type.
  • By comparison, 14 point type is considered the minimum size for large-print materials and is usually reserved for footer or areas with limited spacing such as vertical type on a graphic.
  • Ask the user about the size of type required. Many people need 28 to 36 point type.

Type selection

There are many typefaces or styles, some more readable than others. Text in all uppercase letters and in orator type is very difficult to read. Type with fancy serifs must be avoided. Bold and italic type should be used sparingly, and should not be used in long passages. Typefaces that use the largest amount of available space for the character should be selected.

Most people learned to read using a typeface similar to "New Century Schoolbook" or a font from the "Times," family which created the patterns that make reading easier. Most of us read by patterns as well as by letter. Helvetica, or sans serif lettering, is also easy to read and a font commonly used. Organizations of the blind recommended New Century Schoolbook, a font from the Times family (New Times Roman), or Helvetica fonts in producing large prints documents.

Line leading

Line leading is the space between lines of type. Print smaller than 11 point has decreased line leading which decreases readability. Large print materials are usually produced with heavy leading, i.e., wide spacing between the letters and lines of print.

Proportional spacing

Readability problems exist when uniform letter widths are used (typewriter type.) Proportional type adds white spacing before and after letters to make up the difference in spacing. This extra spacing deters readability.

Non-proportional spacing allows for adjustment between letters to eliminate unneeded white spaces and to allow extra space for wider letters. Because non-proportional spacing increases readability, its use is recommended. Most if not all computers print non-proportional characters to printers.

Justifying

Justifying both the left and right margins is preferred for large print documents.

Contrast and color

In combination print and background colors, it is best to use colors that will provide the maximum brightness contrast between print and background. Readability of the printed material will be improved if black ink is used on white or cream (preferred) or pastel paper. If colored print and paper are used, two shades of the same color should be avoided and a light color should be used for the background.

Finish

Paper with a matte finish (non-glossy) is preferable to "shiny" or coated paper to prevent glare and provide good contrast.

Hyphenation

Hyphenation of the right margin should be avoided. Hyphens break up words and require the reader to remember the last syllable of the previous line and refocus on the remaining word part on the next line. Hyphenation increases the problems that persons with limited vision have reading and understanding printed materials.

Line width

Generally there is greater risk of loss of readability when wider lines are used. Line width should not exceed 6 inches for single column text.

Columns  

If multiple columns are used, columns should be no less than 3 inches.

Paragraphing

Block style, an extra space between paragraphs, and paragraphs with an intended first line are acceptable.

Producing large print

Materials may be printed on a laser printer or typeset (a method that assures sharp letter and good contrast), that have been produced on a computer, i.e., Macintosh or IBM. This print can be enlarged on a copy machine, which is especially useful when a limited number of copies are made and clean originals are available. Avoid copies with black streaks left by the copier toner-this reduces readability.

It is important to place the page on the screen of the copier rather than the machine fed. The paper can be placed to eliminate white space and allow for the greatest enlarging percentage the meet 16 or 18 point type. To enlarge an 8-1/2" x 11" page, 11" x 17" paper is recommended. A minimum of 132 percent to 136 percent enlargement is recommended for 16 point or 138 percent for standardized for the entire document after enlarging is done.

It is highly recommended that large print documents be copied onto one side of the paper only. Bold type especially bleeds through the other side of commonly used 20 pound weight bond paper and reduces readability. Two-sided copying works when a heavier paper (70 pound weight) is used.