Top Accessibility Concerns Your Boss Needs To Know (Part 2)

magviewin2050
Nov 10, 2020
2 min read

Author: Julianna Bellamy

Research by: Leanne Linetsky

Part 2 - 8 Things To Know About Accessibility In Print

Unlike its digital counterpart, printed publications provide a fewer selection accessibility. This is simply because print supports fewer features than those listed in part 1 of this article. That being said, there are still several ways to increase accessibility in printed magazines. One commonly practiced method is maintaining a high level of contrast between your text and background. This ensures legibility for all readers, especially those with colorblindness. Moreover, black text on white or white text on black are your best options, though other high contrast colour combinations can also work.

Typography

Similar to digital publications, font size, leading, monospacing, and typeface selections are key when delivering accessible print. Larger text is easier to read, thus, printing at point sizes less than 12 should be avoided. That being said, the space between baselines for text or the leading should be at least 25% of your point size. Furthermore, keeping wide consistent spaces (monospacing) between individual characters improves readability.

As for typeface selection, simple typefaces (such as Helvetica) are your best friend when designing with accessibility in mind. A decorative type can be difficult to read for many and should always be avoided in body text. Even when it comes to headings, decorative typefaces should be used sparingly. Similarly, light or thin typefaces should be avoided when possible, as they can hinder readability. With that in mind, italics may not be the best choice when emphasizing keywords or phrases in articles, as they also impact readability.

Binding and Finishing

The last accommodations to consider when discussing accessibility in print comes from binding and finishing. Magazines that lay flat benefit both people with limited mobility and visual impairment. Those with visual impairments, in particular, may require a vision aid that scans the page - effective lay flat supports this process. In terms of paper finish, matte finishes are less distracting than gloss. Similarly, bold images or patterns behind text can also prove to be distracting and inaccessible for some.

Let’s Recap...

Use high contrast text colour combinations (black text on white or white text on black).
Larger font sizes (12 pt. and up) are best.
Choose monospacing over proportionally spaced fonts.
Consider increasing your leading.
Stick with simple typefaces.
Avoid italics.
Lay flat is important!
Choose matte over glossy paper finishes.