Contrast The print of written materials must contrast with its background for a person to be able to read it properly. Here are some tips on making materials contrast appropriately: - Print and background should have a 70/30 contrast for optimal readability. This is the equivalent of black on white, which is the most readable combination. Blue, green, or purple prints are also acceptable in dark hues. If white paper is not used, it should be ivory, cream, or some other similarly light and neutral color.
- Having thick lines in characters, such as in bold print, will increase contrast. Type weight should be set at medium or heavier to create the sharp edge between light and dark by which people recognize characters.
- For color printed material, use strong tints. Avoid medium color shades. Reds and yellows are better for visual acuity than blues, greens, or purples, especially when the color used is a light or medium shade.
- Use a matte paper and dull ink to strike a contrast. Glossy papers and inks will increase glare, and should be avoided. Dull papers reduce glare, but also reduce contrast.
- Create documents with adequate contrast to be reproduced on a copy machine. Use black or another very dark ink. Use line drawings for illustration, as these will reproduce much more clearly than photocopied pictures.
Examples: Use: types with thick lines colors such as black, blue, green, or purple with a dark hue for the text. Avoid: types with thin lines in the characters Light or medium hues of colors such as blue or green. For more information related to contrast, see the sections on print settings, highlighting information, and illustrations. Further reading on contrast can be found in: "Printed Materials for an Aging Population: Design Considerations." Author: Ireta Ekstrom. Journal of Biocommunication, 1993. 20 (3): 25-30. Return to Resources
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