Fonts are a subtle yet powerful tool in any presentation. The right choice can make your message clearer and more compelling, while the wrong one can detract from your content and confuse your audience. Here’s a quick guide to the do’s and don’ts of choosing fonts for your next presentation:
Do’s
- Do Choose Readable Fonts
Your font choice should make your text easy to read, even from the back of the room. Stick to simple, sans-serif fonts like Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri. These fonts are clean and don’t have the decorative strokes that can make text hard to read. Remember, readability is key!
- Do Use Consistent Font Sizes
Keep your font sizes consistent across your presentation. A good rule of thumb is to use a larger font size for titles and headings (e.g., 30-36 pt) and a slightly smaller size for body text (e.g., 18-24 pt). Consistent sizing helps create a visual hierarchy and makes your presentation look more polished.
- Do Limit Your Font Choices
Stick to one or two fonts throughout your presentation. Too many fonts can make your slides look chaotic and distract from your message. Choose one font for headings and another for body text to maintain a clean and professional look. If you want to add variety, consider using different weights (like bold or light) of the same font family.
- Do Consider Your Brand
Choose fonts that align with your brand’s style and tone. If your brand is modern and minimalist, go for a sleek, simple font. If it’s more traditional, consider a classic serif font. Consistent branding across all your materials, including presentations, helps reinforce your brand identity.
- Do Test on Different Devices
What looks good on your computer screen might not look the same on another device. Always test your presentation on different screens and projectors to ensure your fonts are clear and legible. You don’t want your perfect pitch to fall flat because of a font issue!
Don’ts
- Don’t Use Decorative or Complex Fonts
While script or decorative fonts may look beautiful, they can be challenging to read, especially at smaller sizes or from a distance. Avoid fonts like Comic Sans or Papyrus that might make your presentation look unprofessional. Save the fancy fonts for your invitations, not your slides!
- Don’t Use All Caps for Body Text
Using all caps can feel like you’re shouting at your audience. It’s also harder to read, especially in large blocks of text. Reserve all caps for short headings or to emphasize specific points, but keep your body text in sentence case for better readability.
- Don’t Go Below 18pt Font Size
Small font sizes can make your text illegible, especially for those in the back of the room. Avoid using anything smaller than 18pt for body text to ensure everyone can read your slides comfortably. If you have too much text, consider summarizing or breaking it into multiple slides.
- Don’t Ignore Contrast
Make sure your font color contrasts well with your background color. Light fonts on a light background or dark fonts on a dark background can be hard to read. Stick to high-contrast combinations like black text on a white background or white text on a dark background to ensure your text stands out.
- Don’t Forget to Proofread
Fonts might be fun, but typos are not! Proofread your text carefully to catch any spelling or grammar errors. A clean, error-free presentation will enhance your credibility and keep your audience focused on your message, not your mistakes.
By following these simple do’s and don’ts, you can ensure your presentation fonts enhance, rather than hinder, your message. And if you want a professionally designed presentation that makes the right impression, Slidart is here to help. We’ll handle the fonts, so you can focus on your pitch! top-notch pitch deck design, you know where to find us—Slidart is here to make sure your message shines!