Designing Print Materials Everyone Can Read
A Practical Guide to ADA-Accessible Print Design
Good design works for everyone. When printed materials are created with accessibility in mind, they’re easier to read, more engaging to look at, and more effective at communicating their message. Small, intentional choices, like clear language, strong contrast, and readable type improve both function and aesthetics.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that communication in any format be effective for everyone. That includes brochures, forms, signage, flyers, and annual reports.
Accessibility isn’t a limitation; it turns good design into great communication. And it respects how people actually see, read, and process information so everyone gets the message.
This approach is rooted in the principles of universal design—the idea that materials should work for everyone. When you design with accessibility in mind from the start, your materials become stronger, more inclusive, and more effective by design.
Putting accessibility into practice
1. Use Clear, Direct Language
The first step in accessibility is clarity of content.
Use plain language. Write the way people talk. Avoid jargon, abbreviations, and complicated phrasing.
Organize content logically. Put the most important information first and use clear headings and subheadings to help readers navigate.
Keep paragraphs short. Aim for 2–4 sentences per paragraph, and use bullet lists to break up information.
2. Choose Readable Fonts
Typography has a direct impact on accessibility.
Typeface: Choose simple, sans-serif fonts with shapes that are easy to discern. Avoid condensed, italicized, script, and decorative fonts in body text.
Size: For standard print, use at least 12-point type (.1875 inches or 4.8 mm high). For large-print versions, use 16- to 18-point type.
Weight: Regular or semi-bold weights are the easiest to read. Avoid thin or light versions.
Letter spacing: Leave enough space between letters and lines — from 1.15–1.5 line spacing — for readability.
Alignment: Left-align body text. Avoid justified text, which creates uneven spaces that make reading harder for people with low vision or dyslexia.
Formatting: Use bold, italic, or underlining only when necessary to emphasize specific words or headings. Overuse can make text harder to read or appear cluttered. Instead, rely on headings, spacing, and hierarchy to guide the reader’s eye.
3. Prioritize Contrast and Color
Color choices affect how easily text can be read by people with vision impairments.
Contrast ratio: This measures how much the text color stands out from its background. Maintain a minimum of 4.5:1 for regular text and 3:1 for large text (18 pt or larger). Find the contrast ratio between two colors with Adobe’s online Contrast Checker.
Light backgrounds, dark text: Black or dark gray on white or off-white is ideal.
Avoid color-only cues. If you use color to show meaning (e.g., red for “stop” or green for “go”), add labels or icons, too.
Backgrounds: Avoid busy images or patterns behind text.
4. Use Layout and White Space Intentionally
Accessible layouts reduce visual clutter and help readers focus.
Use ample margins. Large print guidelines call for .75”, but .5-1 inch on all sides is acceptable.
Separate sections with white space, not just lines or color.
Use headings and subheadings consistently.
Keep columns wide enough so lines are not too short or cramped (ideal line length: 50–75 characters per line, or about 12 words).
5. Consider Alternative Formats
Sometimes, the most accessible option is to provide more than one format.
Large-print versions: Offer a version with 16- to 18-point text and simplified layout.
Braille or audio: Provide these upon request, especially for forms or essential communications.
Digital assistance: Include an accessible PDF or webpage version that can be read with assistive technology.
6. Test for Real-World Usability
Accessibility is practical, and asking a user with glasses or impaired vision to review your materials can be eye-opening.
Print a sample and view it under different lighting conditions.
Ask a colleague with glasses or another vision impairment to review .
Update and test again.
The Bottom Line
Accessible design makes communication more effective for everyone. By using clear language, readable fonts, strong contrast, and thoughtful layouts, you create print materials that not only meet ADA standards, but also demonstrate care, professionalism, and inclusion.
At Write Design Group, accessibility is part of our design DNA. We help organizations communicate clearly and confidently, on screen and on paper.
