At Minnesota State Moorhead, we’re committed to ensuring everyone can access and engage with our materials. Thoughtful design choices - including layout, font selection, and color use - help make print materials more inclusive for people with disabilities. The following guidelines will help you create print pieces that are clear, readable, and ADA-compliant.
Fonts that Support Readability
Font choice plays a major role in how easily materials can be read. Sans serif fonts, such as Scala Sans, Source Sans, Arial, or Verdana, are the most readable for printed materials because they feature clean, consistent lines.
Avoid serif fonts (like Times New Roman) or cursive styles, which include varying stroke widths that can make text difficult to read. If you must use serif font use fonts like Scala, Source Serif, or Georgia. Steer clear of extra-thin, bold, or italicized typefaces. Use a font size between 14 and 18 points for best accessibility.
Text Alignment, Spacing, and White Space
- Align text to the left. Left-aligned text provides a consistent starting point for each line, making it easier for readers to follow.
- Avoid centered, right-aligned, or fully justified text. These can create uneven spacing and disrupt readability.
- Use proper line spacing. Choose 1.5x or 2x line spacing to help readers track from line to line.
- Embrace white space. Extra space around text blocks makes materials less cluttered and easier to process, especially for individuals with low vision or cognitive disabilities.
Choosing Accessible Colors
Color choices can improve readability for people with low vision, age-related vision changes, or color blindness.
- Ensure strong contrast between light and dark elements. Opposite colors on the color wheel typically work best.
- Use color strategically, not as the only way to convey meaning. For example, highlight required fields with an asterisk (*) instead of using color alone.
- Test your design by printing in black and white or using a color blindness simulator to confirm clarity.
Selecting Accessible Paper
Paper type affects readability, especially for individuals using magnifiers or digital reading aids.
- Avoid bright white or glossy paper, which can create glare.
- Use off-white, matte-finish paper with a minimum 24 lb. weight if printing double-sided. This prevents text from showing through the page and supports better legibility.
Additional Accessibility Best Practices
- Avoid hyphens when possible; they interrupt reading flow.
- Use images or graphics to break up large text blocks - but never place text over images.
- Include accessibility symbols to indicate materials are available in alternative formats upon request. This promotes inclusivity and builds trust in our brand.
- Offer alternative formats, such as:
Final Checklist
Before printing, review your document for accessibility:
- Use clear, sans serif fonts of at least 12pt (ideally 14–18pt).
- Ensure high contrast between text and background.
- Include adequate spacing and margins.
- Avoid using color alone to share information.
- Provide a digital version or alternate format upon request.
- Include an accessibility statement noting that alternative formats are available.
- Test your document by printing a sample or using an accessibility checker.
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