To emphasize particular content, use:

• bold or italic type
• a different but complementary type style
• subheadings
• shading
• illustrations
• text in boxes

Be sure that information in a box makes sense all by itself. Readers may read only this information.

There are two broad categories of type styles: serif and sans serif.

• Serif type has "hooks" or "feet" on the letters, like the type we're using in this text.
  This is Century Schoolbook, a serif type style. It is an easy text type to read.
• Sans serif type has no hooks.
  This is Helvetica, a sans serif type style. It is not as easy to read.
• The hook, or serif, helps the reader's eyes move along the line of type. Serifs also give the reader more information about the characteristics of each letter. This makes the letters more recognizable and easier to read. Serif type styles are usually your best choice for text type.
• Sans serif type styles draw the eye down into the text that follows. They are helpful for headings, tables and charts that you want to highlight from the main text. They are also useful when you have to use small type, such as in photo captions.

Keep it simple

Avoid complicated type styles.

• The style for the text should be clear and simple.
• Use styles consistently: one for titles, one for sub-titles, one for text. Avoid using more than three type styles in the same text.

TYPE SIZE

Text type

Readers generally find 12 point type easy to read for text. You might want to use 13 or 14 point type, depending on the type style.

Headings, or display type for flyers, posters and other promotional materials are usually 18 points or larger. The larger size is used to attract the reader's attention.

This is 12 point. This is 14 point. This is 18 point.