1. Do’s and Don’ts of Typesetting
There are some good practices you can follow when
choosing a typeface. The number one rule is to keep it
simple!
Type
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type

2. 1. Avoid mixing too many fonts and styles of type.
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type

3. 2. Be consistent. Do not set the point size to fit available space. Use a
consistent size and adjust leading, tracking, or the line length to fit.
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type

4. 3. Use type in upper case and lower case.
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type

5. 4. Keep the body copy for reports and books to 12 points or less. Try
not to use a body copy of less than 9 points. This small size is
considered difficult to print and hard to read and is just for text that
is deceptive in nature.
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type

6. 5. Keep line lengths short.
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type

7. 6. Limit headlines to not more than five words.
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type

8. 7. Limit the body copy to not more than 64 characters in a line.
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type

9. 8. Avoid using too big a point size for the body copy. A small size
with more leading is better for readability.
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type

10. 9. Investigate and use proven and accepted typefaces.
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type

11. 10. Develop typeface favorites for specific uses and utilize them until you
are experienced enough to experiment.
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type

12. 11. Avoid distorting typeface using software programs. Use the
italicized, bold, condensed, and expanded fonts and not the “fake”
fonts that are created when you press CTRL+B to make the text bold.
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type

13. 12. Use lots of white space. However, do not overuse.
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type

14. 16. Be sensitive to balance, creativity, and readability.
Fundamentals of Design
Unit 6: Type
Module 4: Rules of Type