What is a font?
A font is a set of fonts saved as a computer writing medium with specific common features. They consist of typefaces that can be changed in size, thickness, or color. There are many different fonts of one typeface though.
Why does font matter?
When you write something important in a PDF, you want the message to be effective and reach the recipient. So you analyze the meaning of words, adapt the content to the recipient, and pay attention to every detail. Did you know, however, that a significant impact on whether and how you will be understood also depends on the visual side of the text, including the type of font used in a digital file such as PDF?
Typography has great power. It can strengthen or weaken the message – imagine warning signs written in a cheerful “comic book” font. The font encourages reading or just the opposite. Improves or reduces the readability of text. It makes us take the message seriously or a little less.
How to find a font in a PDF
Everyone sooner or later encounters a situation where a client sends, for example, a vector logo in PDF, but when imported to CorelDRAW or another program, the application informs about the lack of fonts and replaces them with Arial or other default system fonts.
This happens because the predecessor simply forgot to give the client the fonts in the project at the end of the work and another graphic designer has to deal with it somehow. Sometimes fonts are hard to find and cost extra, or we have them installed, but the programs misinterpret their names and we don’t know what they are.
The quickest way to find font from PDF is to use the SwifDoo PDF program. The following short guide was written for its desktop program.
1. Open the PDF file in SwifDoo, you can use the context menu “Edit All” under the “Edit” tag;
2. Click the “Edit All” tab, and then select the text, you’ll see the font of the current text as well as the font size.
What font size is best for reading?
Let’s look at two cases. The first is the font on the website, and the second – is the font size of the book.
Readable fonts with a PDF are usually those whose size is from 11 to 16 px. The general rule is that the larger the characters, the more readable the document. This is due to, among others, due to the fact that screens are usually placed further from our eyes than a page of a book.
In books, the freedom is much greater because the size of the characters is adjusted depending on the format or guidelines of a given printing house or publishing house. Basically, the idea is to make reading enjoyable, so the font for the book cannot be too small or illegible.
Fonts in PDF Printing – what to pay attention to?
Printing documents from a PDF file must be preceded by appropriate preparations. It’s a good idea to choose popular and widely available fonts to avoid problems with fonts being nested in the file. For non-standard fonts, make sure they are included in the document or possibly converted to curves.
In order for the print to be of sufficiently good quality, we should take care of several aspects. Below is the checklist:
- Page size and orientation: The print format should correspond to the selected standard (e.g. A4, B5). Additionally, it is worth checking whether our preferred page orientation is correct and the same throughout the file.
- Bleeds and margins: Appropriate layout on the page allows for proper arrangement of text and images, thus preventing important design elements from being cut off.
- Image resolution: Please remember that the higher the quality we expect in the print, the higher the reproduction resolution we should ensure when sending files for printing.
- Colors: It’s worth making sure your color profile is appropriate for printing.
- Simplicity of design: A complicated content layout may make all or part of the text unreadable.
- PDF version: Select the appropriate PDF version for printing that complies with ISO standards.
- Correctness check: Before sending the file to the printer, always carefully check it for spelling errors, typesetting errors, or other defects that may affect the printing.
Not only the font size but what else affects the readability of the text
A good font is not everything. It is also worth considering what else has an impact on the reception of the text and makes reading in books or on the Internet more convenient. If you want to avoid the most common mistakes, be sure to pay attention to such aspects.
Summary
It’s easy to get lost among the multitude of different types of fonts, but their carefully selected selection can determine the success of the entire project. This is why the visual side of the text should be consistent with the nature of the company, promotional campaign, or event we want to cover in a PDF file. It is this that largely determines the first impression that attracts the recipient’s attention and makes the PDF more user-friendly and memorable.
When searching for and selecting font types yourself, don’t be afraid to consult your choice with a professional PDF editor program such as SwifDoo PDF. It may turn out that it will indicate a direction that will revolutionize the project, and its reception will be met with great interest from the recipients.
