12 point is not the standard type size for anything that is actually printed or designed.
12 point is the default size in digital word processing. Yes, when you create your document in Word and print it on your ink jet printer feel free to use your standard 12 point.
10 Point is the actual standard
Nearly every book, newspaper, and magazine is set smaller than 12 point. They use something like 10 point.
Different fonts are different physical sizes, so it’s not as cut and dried as that.
Business cards typically use 8 or 7 point font sizes.
Why do designers love small type?
- The simple reason is that we aren’t limited to working in Word. We know that the “standard” size for body type is much smaller.
- Making type larger than it needs to be is a waste of space and looks amateurish like wearing a shirt that is too big.
- Making type larger than it needs to be is a crowds the page. Good design sets a hierarchy and gives your eye a place to go.
- Printed materials like brochures and business cards are printed at a higher resolution and a higher quality. Crisp type is readable at a smaller size than something printed by an amateur with his Epson.
- White space is what gives a layout actual design. “Extra” space does not need to be filled up with big logos and type.
But our clients are old people with bad eyes…
This same client have been reading books, magazines, and newspapers their entire life at 10 point. Your brochure should not look like you created it in-house in Word and sent it to Kinko’s.
