Page 1
Style Guide: Best Practices in Formatting
According to Colin Wheildon, author of Type & Layout: Are You Communicating or Just
Making Pretty Shapes, it’s possible that 75% of your readers attempting to access your
content (whether online, in print, or via email) will disregard what you’re saying based
solely on the type of font you choose. That’s right—75%!
That’s why it’s critically important to choose fonts that are clean and accessible and to
choose a layout that is visual but not busy. Don’t try to pack too much into your
layout, or else you may run the risk of your message being lost.
First, let’s look at the differences between a “serif” and “sans serif” font.
Serif fonts are more embellished, with small lines attached to the end of a stroke in a
letter or symbol. Popular serif fonts include Times New Roman, Georgia, and
Garamond. Many books, newspaper, and magazines use a serif font. In print
mediums, serif fonts are often easier to read.
Sans serif fonts don’t have the added embellishments. These fonts are often used in
advertisements, and are generally easier to read. In print, sans serif fonts are often
used as a headline, whereas serif fonts are used for the body text. Popular sans serif
fonts include Helvetica, Arial, and Calibri.
There are some simple best practices in formatting print, online, and email
communications for your organization. These best practices will make your
information easier to understand and more accessible to the average reader.
When do I use a serif font like Times New Roman or Garamond?
For print items, it’s suggested to utilize serif fonts for brochures, donation letters in
the mail, etc. However, it’s still recommended to use sans serif fonts for your
headlines, subheadings, etc. Use at least a 12 or 14-point font. The larger your font
size, the easier your content is to read. For this particular paper, we have chosen a 14-
point font.