Typographic Do's and Don'ts: Columns

Setting text into a column format structure can be more challenging than it may seem. It requires a combination of visual sensibility and workmanship, especially when it comes to establishing and maintaining a consistent typographical practice on a page or within a document. There are volumes of information on typographic practice as it applies to the use of typographic columns, both in theory as well as in practice.

The following text of "don't and do" samples demonstrate a number of basic principles that are essential for setting columns of text that will not disturb a reader and will be as aesthetically pleasing as conditions will allow. The statement used in the examples below is an excerpt from Wikipedia. 

Width

Don’t set columns with an excessively long measure. Doing so will discourage readership. 12 to 14 words should be the maximum in any given line.

Don’t set an excessive number of columns on a page. Doing so will also discourage readership. There should be a minimum of 4 words per line.

Do set columns with a comfortable measure for reading. Use a two column format to divide a single long measure. It will improve readership and comprehension.

Do use a three columns format when single sentence paragraphs, bullet lists, and call outs are present within the text.

Don’t set uneven measure columns of continuous text. Doing so can unduly influence the importance of a section of text.

Don’t set uneven measure columns of continuous text, especially when using multiple columns. Doing so disturbs the continuity of the layout format.

Spacing

Columns

Don’t use an excessive amount of space between columns. One pica of space between columns is sufficient. A rule of thumb is never to have more space between columns than there is in the side margins.

Don’t use an excessive space between thin measure columns. Again, one pica of space between columns is sufficient. Space between thin measure columns can be distracting to a reader, especially if it is equal to the space of the side margins.

Don’t use uneven spaces between columns. Uneven spaces discourage readership.

Paragraphs

Don’t add space between paragraphs of editorial text for print media. It creates visual distractions and interrupts smooth reading. Space between paragraphs can be appropriate for text presented in a digital online format.

Don’t add space between paragraphs of editorial text for print media. Even in a multiple column format, spacing disturbs the continuity of the text. Used in online single column situations, space between paragraphs can be appropriate.

Don’t use inconsistent spacing between paragraphs or sections of text. It is considered a typesetting error, or at the very least bad form.

Don’t be inconsistent with the use of paragraph returns. It will be seen as a typesetting error.

Alignment

Don’t misalign the baselines of columns. It will be seen as a layout formatting error.

Don’t misalign the baselines of columns. Although it may seem to be deliberate staggering, if the baselines don't align, it is considered a layout formatting error. (See Beginnings and Endings below.)

Endings

Do stagger the endings of columns where it is appropriate to the design. Although the ends of the columns differ in height, the column baselines align at the top and line spacing is consistent.

Do stagger the endings of multiple columns where it is appropriate to the design. Columns may vary as long as line spacing is consistent and baselines align.

Beginnings

Do stagger the beginnings of columns where it is appropriate to the design. Although the beginning of the columns stagger, the baselines of all columns remain in alignment as do all lines.

Disclaimer: These examples have been created to demonstrate basic principles of typographic practice, they are not meant to represent aesthetically brilliant samples of typography.

Typographic Do's and Don'ts: Paragraphs

Learning typographic usage may seem like the simple application of common sense and visual sensibility, especially when it comes to rudimentary typographical practice, however it’s not so straightforward. There are volumes of research that have been generated about the readability, legibility, and visibility of typography as it applies to paragraph bodies of text in theory as well as in practice.

The following text "don't and do" samples demonstrate a number of basic principles that are essential for setting text that performs suitably in paragraphs with the potential to be as aesthetically pleasing as conditions will allow. The statement used in the examples below is an excerpt from a treatise on typography written in 1818 titled Annals of Parisian Typography, by William Parr Greswell.

Widows

Don’t allow a single word line or “widow” to occur at the end of a paragraph.

Do alter paragraph line endings to change the “rag” and eliminate a widow.

Indention 

Don’t indent the first line of an article or chapter.

Do remove the indentation. A first paragraph should not be indented. Paragraphs following the first should be indented.

Coloration

Don’t use a color for text that is difficult to read.

Do choose a text color with adequate contrast to the background.

Typestyles

Don’t choose a display font style that is difficult to read.

Do use display fonts sparingly for short statements or portions of a statement.

Capitals

Don’t set paragraph text in all capital letters.

Do use all capital letters for single words, single sentences, or short statements.

Ornamentals

Don’t use fonts with ornate capital letters for all cap statements.

Do use ornate capital letters only at the beginning of sentences.

Weight

Don’t choose excessively bold fonts for long bodies of text.

Do choose reduced weight fonts for paragraph use.

Linespacing

Don’t set text solid or use negative line spacing.

Do add space between lines or use default spacing for the point size in use.

Wordspacing

Don’t use an excessive amount of word space for paragraph text.

Do use default or slightly reduced spacing.

Letterspacing

Don’t use an excessive amount of letter space for paragraph text.

Do use letter spacing in a moderate amount.

Measures

Don’t set text in long lines or “measures”.

Do limit the average length of lines in a paragraph to no more than 12 words.

Justification

Don’t set type flush on both sides or “justified” in short measures.

Do set type as justified in wider measures.

Rivers

Don’t allow auto justification to create "rivers and lakes".

Do manually adjust justified text to improve rivers.

Flush Right

Don’t set a chapter or story flush right, ragged left.

Do use flush right, ragged left for shorter statements or call outs.

Centering

Don’t set a chapter or story as centered text.

Do use centered text for shorter statements or call outs.

Hyphenation

Don’t allow excessive hyphenation to occur in a paragraph.

Do change the rag so that no more than two adjacent lines are hyphenated.

Condensing

Don’t excessively compress a font horizontally.

Do use original letter proportioning or find a font designed to be condensed.

Extending

Don’t excessively vertically compress a font.

Do use original letter proportioning or find a font designed to be extended.

Verticals

Don’t letterset type vertically.

Do set words in vertical columns, but only sparingly if necessary.

Outline

Don’t use outline type for large bodies of text.

Do use outline type for short statements or contrast, but only sparingly.

Modification

Don’t apply excessive visual effects to paragraph text.

Do use visual effects subtly and with restraint.

Overprinting

Don’t set dark type over images with detailed or contrasting elements.

Do lighten  or “dodge” the image to improve the readability of the text.

Don’t set white type over images with detailed or contrasting elements.

Do darken  or “burn” the image to improve the readability of the text.