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Alternative Formats
Large print - Publishing in large font sizes
Large print publications are documents with a type size of 14 point and above.
Large print versions are essential for many disabled people, including people with visual
impairments, learning disabilities, dyslexia and problems with coordination or manual
dexterity, for example as a result of a stroke, multiple sclerosis or arthritis.
Producing large print materials
No single size is suitable for everyone. If you are producing information in large print for an
individual, ask which size best suits their needs.
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Produce simple large print documents in-house from a Word document.
Send more complex jobs to a commercial printer so that picture and print quality are
consistent at larger sizes.
Do not attempt to create large print versions by enlarging a standard print document
using a photocopier.
Proofread all large print versions to make sure the headings and paragraph text
match the page breaks.
Reasonable limits to the size of type
Requests for type sizes above 28 point should be carefully considered for cost-effectiveness.
Very large type sizes can be counter-productive because they cause publications to become
bulky and difficult to navigate.
Offering alternative formats can avoid these problems. For example providing an audio
version of the information or emailing someone a text document so that they can access the
information using a screen reader on their computer.
Large print guidelines
Large print should always follow the ‘Clear print’ standards for setting text and layout.
Typeface
Always use clear text fonts and avoid indistinct or decorative fonts.
Type size
A minimum size of 16pt is recommended for people with a visual impairment. The RNIB
recommend 16 to 22 point for large print and 24+ for giant print. Be aware that some fonts
The large print guidelines were developed together with Informability at Central Office of Information,
and issued by the Office for Disability Issues: http://odi.dwp.gov.uk
www.clearkit.co.uk
appear larger than others at the same point size.
If you are producing information in large print for a particular individual, ask them what size
they would like.
Type weight
Use a medium or bold weight. Avoid light fonts, especially in smaller type sizes.
Type style
Avoid italics and excessive use of capital letters, as these letterforms affect the outline
shape of words and are therefore more difficult to read.
‘Reversing out’ – printing on a coloured background
Only ‘reverse out’ if the font is clear and bold/large enough not to break up or fill in with ink.
Keep a good contrast between lettering and background colour.
Leading
Allow adequate leading (the space between lines of type). Minimum 2 point leading for 12
point text, more for larger sizes.
Letter spacing
Ensure adequate, even spacing between letters. Letters should never appear to touch.
Word spacing
Keep word spacing even. Do not condense or stretch lines of type to fit a particular
measure.
Line length
Allow 50-65 characters, including spaces, per line. Less than 65 is preferable. Text set in
columns may well have less than 50 characters per line.
Heading styles
Use heading styles when creating a document. This enables distinctions of size and style
between ordinary text and sub-titles, headings and sub-headings to be retained when text is
enlarged.
Justification
Ranged left type with a ragged right hand margin is easier to read than justified type.
Hyphenation
Do not split words at the end of lines: avoid hyphenation.
Layout
Keep layout clean and logical. Provide contents lists and clear headings to act as signposts
for the reader. Break text into short paragraphs with adequate space between and around
The large print guidelines were developed together with Informability at Central Office of Information,
and issued by the Office for Disability Issues: http://odi.dwp.gov.uk
www.clearkit.co.uk
them.
Columns
Allow adequate space between columns. Use rules to separate columns if they must be
close together. Avoid designs with uneven column widths.
Images
Do not run type over or around illustrations, pictures, photos or graphics. Use bold images if
using images at all. Check images work at a larger scale.
Volume
If you have a limited amount of space, consider reducing the volume of copy before
reducing the type size.
Form design
Remember that people with a visual impairment often have large handwriting and need
more space in which to write.
Text and related boxes for writing or putting a tick in should be clearly associated with each
other. A large gap can cause confusion or errors.
Contrast/colour
Contrast between background and type is crucial for legibility. Black on white or yellow is
best for most people. Always use dark colours on light.
Be aware of colour blindness: 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women can't distinguish between
red and green.
Paper
Use matt papers. Glossy surfaces can create glare. Avoid thin or semi-transparent papers
which allow show-through.
Target audience
Younger people tend to prefer sans serif fonts, while older people tend to prefer serif fonts.
Ascenders and descenders
Consider the length of letters b, d, f, h, k, l, t, g, j, p, q, y in relation to the x height of the
typeface. Short ascenders and descenders make a typeface less legible.
Individual characteristics of letter shapes
For example a closed 'a' is more likely to be confused with a 'c' or an 'o' than an open 'a',
and a ‘3’ can be confused with an ‘8’ in some typefaces.
Thickness of letterstrokes
Strongly stressed typefonts are less legible than fonts with even stroke widths.
The large print guidelines were developed together with Informability at Central Office of Information,
and issued by the Office for Disability Issues: http://odi.dwp.gov.uk