some valuable typographic hints 9, 10, 11, 12 point are best for text type matter. Use 11, 12 point when typeface has a small x-height (Century). Use 9, 10 point when typeface has large x-height (Helvetica). For 9, 10, 11, 12 point type, a line width between 18-24 picas (about 10-12 words per line) is most readable. Beware of no linespacing (type set solid). All typefaces are more readable with moderate leading than with non at all. Linespacing normally varies from 1 to 4 points. Heavy faces should have more leading. Long lines need more leading. Medium weight text is more readable than very light or very bold text. Bold weight text is superior to italics for emphasis but it must be used in moderation to avoid tiring the eye. Serif faces are slightly more legible than sans-serif faces. Serif faces are preferred over sans-serif faces by readers. Unjustified typesetting has several advantages over justified typesetting. It reduces production costs, makes corrections easier, and aids readability by letting the eye relax with a single reference margin. All caps typesettings reduce reading speed by about 15%. Paragraph indents must be substantial (never less than one EM) or type margins will appear to curve. Extra linespacing may be substituted for indents. Consider eliminating “windows� by editing. Windows are ending lines of type with only a single word in the line. Headlines with normal (upper and lower case) typesetting are easier to read than those set in all upper or all lowercase. Consider breaking headlines into reading phrases, to reflect phonics (words, sounds, emphases).
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