Typography for Print

Designing typography for print can be different than designing for the web. Since print design involves physical interaction, some of the typographic elements seen in web design cannot be applied.

Layout

One of the things you have to consider is layout. What dimension will you be printing on? Since you aren’t constrained to the dimensions of the screen, you will need to select a size on which you will be designing. What kind of layout will you be working with? What kind of spacing will your typography need? Try experimenting with dimensions that are not standard paper sizes.

 

Paper

Another consideration to make is paper type. Would the message you are seeking to express with your typographic design be stronger if it were printed on a specific texture of the paper? Maybe the typography would appear better in a UV filter against flat elements and other areas of your design. Experiment with printing on different paper types and run a few print tests before you settle on basic printing options.

 

Interaction

The most interesting area that needs to be considered—in my opinion—is how others will interact with your typography. Will you be printing on a sheet that will require folds and die-cuts? Will ignoring die-cuts and interaction with folds best portray your typography’s message?

 

Final Thoughts

Go forward more by exploring the different ways you can push your typography. But as you are exploring the different areas, keep in mind that you should always be working with a grid system, and keeping consistency in mind.