Ebook formatting - what's your preference | Warrior Forum - The #1 Digital Marketing Forum & Marketplace

15 years ago

Normally Times new roman is the standard font with 12 size.
But I normally prefer Arial font with 10 / 11 size. More than this size looks too much bigger font and doesn't looks nice to the eyes.

Thanks

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bp.simms

Banned 15 years ago

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Tyson Faulkner 15 years ago

artsub - Isn't 11/12 font size a little too small for something
being read on the computer? I know not everyone who
surfs the net has the best eye sight so I don't want anyone
to be strained trying to read my book.

bp.simms - What would you consider as a font size
that's "too big" and how much space would you say
is excessive? Like I said in the first post I'm not trying to
"inflate" my ebook (I kind of like the short ones) I just
want it to be very reader friendly.

Has any of you had a bad experience with an ebook that
you just couldn't read because it had bad spacing/fonts
in it?

Thanks for the help,
Tyson
- Thanks
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TimGross

15 years ago

It definitely matters whether an ebook/PDF is being created to be read from a computer screen or printed out. (Obviously, you can't force a buyer to print it out, but you can highly recommend it.

For reading on-screen, Arial 14 point is my preference.

For something printable, Times-Roman 12 point looks good.

Either way, break up the text with sub-headlines etc, to make it easy to see what each section is about.

Single-space or 1.5 space both work... As far as readability, keep in mind that the reader can magnify a PDF over 100% to make text bigger if they feel it's too small, so the thing to avoid is not having the width of the page too wide in the first place, otherwise when it's magnified it won't fit in an small monitor's screen.

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Tony Hetherington

15 years ago

Don't forget to source images and use screenshots as well.

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Marty S 15 years ago

Times or Arial 10-14 is fine but if you are converting to PDF, the reader has ultimate control with resizing the page, so don't over think this too much.
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Loren Woirhaye

15 years ago

I like courier because I want it to feel kind of "old school" sometimes
and like it's hot off the typewriter. I know it's a little silly. I just
like the old look.

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Tyson Faulkner 15 years ago

Thanks for the replies guys, I got my ebook done and ended
up doing 16 pt times new roman, with single spacing.

After reading it over I thought the 1.5 spacing seemed to
spread it out too much. The 16 pt font doesn't seem overly
large to me, though I could play with making it 14 and see
how it looks.

I tried keeping the paragraphs nice and short. Personally,
I get intimidated by blocks of text and usually scroll down,
which is definitely not what I'm going for!

Now I never thought about changing it to courier font, I might just
have to test it to see how it looks. Interesting choice.

Thanks,
Tyson
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Lambert Klein

15 years ago

I use arial 14. Single space but with short paragraphs and plenty of white space. I use left/right margins of 1.25.

May use courier for notes or testimonials if needed.

This makes it easy to read, especially for us over 50 crowd. LOL

Lambert

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ebooks4u

15 years ago

Arial, Courier and Tahoma are the fonts I use for all my (PDF) Ebooks.

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Neil Morgan

15 years ago

One thing I would suggest (based on real feedback) is not to use elements on your pages like a large repeating header image or a coloured background.

Why?

Because it uses too much expensive ink when printed out!

Cheers,

Neil

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Baystreet

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Neil Morgan

One thing I would suggest (based on real feedback) is not to use elements on your pages like a large repeating header image or a coloured background.

Even worse is an otherwise great Public Domain WSO ebook I purchased where every page was on a parchment graphic.

Thanks
1 reply

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Haltingpoint

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Baystreet

Even worse is an otherwise great Public Domain WSO ebook I purchased where every page was on a parchment graphic.

Its funny, I'm in the (very slow process) of creating my first product and it has a somewhat fantasy-based theme to it. I was considering doing the ebook w/ a parchment background and then I realized:

"Crap, if people want to print this PDF they'll kill me because of all the ink they'll use!"

Thanks
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Baystreet

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Haltingpoint

Its funny, I'm in the (very slow process) of creating my first product and it has a somewhat fantasy-based theme to it. I was considering doing the ebook w/ a parchment background and then I realized:

"Crap, if people want to print this PDF they'll kill me because of all the ink they'll use!"

If it is something that you think would really benefit from the parchment background or other graphics then go ahead and do it. You could then include a plain text version for printing or a link where the customer could request the plain text version if you don't think many will want to print it out.

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Tina Golden

15 years ago

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Tyson Faulkner 15 years ago

Hey Tina that's a pretty good idea.

Would take about 2 minutes to do too.

I think I'll do this:

Printable file in times-roman 12pt
Other in Arial 14 pt

I've noticed that I much prefer reading
times-roman on something that is printed.

Arial looks so blocky.

Thanks for the idea
- Thanks
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IMChick

15 years ago

Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises

Just reading this thread made me think about how easy it would be to offer two versions in your zip file - one for on screen reading and one for printing. Would take maybe five minutes to do, if that and I would imagine customers would be impressed by your thoughtfulness.

Tina G

You know, that's a great idea. Would you bundle the two formats in the zip together so the download is complete at the point of purchase, either in separate files or a printer optimized and reader optimized tab on the pdf itself?

I've seen this as an upsell from some big names, but I can't exactly remember how it went -- something like 'click here for the free report, pay X for the report in Y format'

I think that any way that you can use the same content and give the customer choices with their purchase is a good idea. I personally hate video, and will not buy a product without a transcript. On the other hand, audio goes with me on my commute. Printable PDF's are now in this category.

Thanks

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spendsmarter Banned 15 years ago

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- sladezer0 15 years ago
  
  I think this question fits into this thread's theme - What are some of the best methods for creating an ebook to begin with? Example, from a word processor like Word and convert to HTML or PDF? I also see some compilers out there, zip & even .exe files?
  
  Thanks!
  Jason
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  jbsmith 15 years ago
  
  Jason - standard is Word to PDF using any number of pdf conversion tools ranging from Adobe Acrobat editor through to scripts that will convert Word format to PDF using print functions.
  
  Another option is to format your product in the word processor in Open Office which has a built-in function to convert to PDF.
  
  Stay away from html and exe compilers - too many issues.
  
  Jeff
  
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Haltingpoint

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Baystreet

If it is something that you think would really benefit from the parchment background or other graphics then go ahead and do it. You could then include a plain text version for printing or a link where the customer could request the plain text version if you don't think many will want to print it out.

That's a fantastic workaround--nice thinking. Of course now I need to decide whether it would TRULY benefit from a parchment background, because getting that to look nice w/ all the other images will be a PITA.

Thanks

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Haltingpoint

15 years ago

One tip I learned is to use serif fonts if you expect your work to be read in print, and sans-serif fonts if it is going to be read on a backlit screen (like a computer monitor).

The reason being that your eyes have a hard time making out the little serifs (the accents on the letters) when it is backlit and it causes eye strain. When you are in print, many studies have shown that serif fonts are much better for recall/retention (upwards of 60% better) than sans-serif in things like direct mail.

If you want to get into the science of it, here's a GREAT scientific look at various metrics associated with various aspects of fonts.

Readability of Body Text in Computer Mediated Communication: Effects of Type Family, Size and Face

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Tyson Faulkner 15 years ago

That's a great tip Neil, I have actually seen a few ebooks with
a header style graphic set in it, and was thinking about doing
it with mine. Now I'm definitely not going to. I never thought
about it before but like everyone else I hate printing things
out with giant repetitive graphics!

That's an interesting article. It's amazing what tests and surveys
different parties have done over the years. Though after
reading it, it seems they didn't learn much. It did mention
that 14 pt font was preferred by readers though. And seeing
all the Arial 14pt font votes in this thread is changing my mind
a bit.

Thanks for the feedback!
-Tyson
- Thanks
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ajal

15 years ago

the problem u are facing now is not new to most internet marketers like myself I have faced it when i was writing my own first ebook. After lots of research from people i discovered that because of eye defect possessed by many people, they prefer 13 font size Times new roman with 1.5 spacing. try it out, and I know u will love it and will definetly thank me for this post.

Thanks

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twannahiga

15 years ago

Agree on formating, I think normally you would need at least a size 14 font to punctuate the text a little to get people to read it more easily. When people can read your information more easily, it makes it easier to digest! :-)

Thanks

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gharold

15 years ago

I was about to offer the same comment as Tina G.
Page aesthetics increase the perceived value of the e-book.
On the security tab of Acrobat you can opt for low resolution print output.
Or as Tina G. recommends...offer a printer friendly version.

Thanks

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cnailor

15 years ago

Something I generally do when I know my eBook will be read online, is flip the orientation to Landscape and set the properties to open to full screen. And even though I use a 12 point font, when it expands onscreen, it appears bigger to those that read online, and the right size for those that print it out.

Because it is so easily readable online, and turned *funny* when printed, it gets my book noticed both online and offline.

Just a suggestion.

Thanks

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knowmyrole

15 years ago

Go for Openoffice to pdf.
Has inbuilt security functions to protect the ebook.

Thanks

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heidigroleau

15 years ago

Would agree openoffice is probably the best FREE source for creating pdf files, it has all of the best features of microsoft word with the ability to create pdf files from scratch. If I'm writing a pdf report, I tend to use the arial font as its easy to read in the 12 size, I think that too big a font can put to much extra space in your report or ebook, making people think that your book is "padded out" to an unnecessary length. just my two cents!

Thanks

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Lambert Klein

15 years ago

Just recently purchase a report with text so small I almost asked for a refund. Since it was short, I just got my magnifier glass out instead...

Lambert

Thanks

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Ghalt

15 years ago

PDF is the best way because it's the most commonly readable to most platforms.

Arial 14 for on-screen.

12-pt for printed.

Thanks
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keyaziz 15 years ago

I used georgia, 12 and also changed the colour of the text to a grey. This is what I was advised to do.
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- Tyson Faulkner 15 years ago
  
  I'm not an expert by any means - yet!
  
  But I would advise against changing your font color to
  gray. I believe that black on a white background has
  been tested and proven to be the easiest color combination
  on the eyes.
  
  The closer you make the background and the text color
  the harder it will be to read it.
  
  If I knew how to code html into my posts I would give you
  an example. You can try it in a word doc though and see
  compare the two.
  
  -Tyson
  
  Thanks
  
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- Lambert Klein 15 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by keyaziz
  
  I used georgia, 12 and also changed the colour of the text to a grey. This is what I was advised to do.
  
  I think black text on white is best. Why make it harder to read?
  
  Sometimes simple is better...
  
  Lambert
  
  Thanks
  
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Tracy Yates

15 years ago

I actually do some ebook formatting on the side as a service and I can tell you that mainly the fonts asked for by my clients are Times New Roman @ 13 or 14 and Arial or Tahoma @ 12 to 14.

The latter of the two I believe would be best for online reading, or those that read ebooks directly from their computers, and the first option for those wanting a 'print out' option.

I agree with the other comments that if you decide to use a background image for your ebook, or a header/footer graphic, then you should also offer a 'printer friendly' version of your ebook minus the graphics to your customers.

And also, I strictly use OpenOffice Writer to create my ebooks, and the formatting I do for my clients. It's a free option and the PDF creation 'one click' process is terrific.

Just my 2 cents

Tracy

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Tracy Yates

15 years ago

I think you could get away with using gray if it were a deeper shade closer to black, but not completely black. Such as #333333 or 80% gray. That might be all right.

Tracy

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Haltingpoint

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Tracy Yates

I think you could get away with using gray if it were a deeper shade closer to black, but not completely black. Such as #333333 or 80% gray. That might be all right.

Tracy

I've seen instances where a very dark gray can be used successfully, but those instances are few and far between. If you are going to go with a dark gray, you might as well just go black to be safe.

For example, at my day job I made a sell sheet that used a dark gray font and it looked AWESOME on screen. However when we printed it you couldn't even read it because it was so faint. And of course it will look different on every printer.

So your best bet is to just go with black to be safe.

Thanks

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demeter

15 years ago

I think that a book should look like a book--anything else is distracting to the eye and mind and gets in the way of absorbing the info. That is TNR 10-12pt, fully justified, single-spaced.

Thanks

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Tracy Yates

15 years ago

Sure, I'm not questioning that using the 'industry standard' of black text on a white background isn't the best way to go, just that it is possible, for the purposes of a 'read online' type ebook to have a darker gray tinted font.

And that it can look decent.

Tracy

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Haltingpoint

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Tracy Yates

Sure, I'm not questioning that using the 'industry standard' of black text on a white background isn't the best way to go, just that it is possible, for the purposes of a 'read online' type ebook to have a darker gray tinted font.

And that it can look decent.

Correct. As I mentioned in my post, the dark gray looked fantastic on-screen.

That said, you say "read online" type ebook. Unfortunately, what you may think of as something that will only be read online, someone else might think "hey, I'd rather read this on the train on the way to work" and print it out--thus leaving you with the situation I mentioned above and an unreadable ebook.

That's why I really like the suggestion someone gave of having a graphically pleasing version that may have dark gray text for example, but "made for printing" version as well.

Thanks
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JLRuffin 15 years ago

You do make an important point. My understanding is that 14 point is readable for most people these days. However, one way to mix it up a little is to use the following fonts which are all pleasing to the eye.

POPULAR FONTS:
a. (Helvetica, Arial)
b.(Verdana)
c.(Georgia)
d.(Times News Roman)
:
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Ebook formatting - what's your preference

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