How to make a large print church bulletin
In most congregations there are people who find the regular bulletin hard to read. They may not say so. They hold it at arm's length, or fold it up and put it away. A large print copy costs little and means a member can follow the service without asking for help.
Type size
Large print guidance usually starts at about 16 to 18 point and goes up from there. A normal bulletin is set at 10 to 12 point, so this is a visible difference. Some readers need 20 point or more. If you can, keep two sizes on hand and let people pick.
Size is only part of it. A big, thin typeface is still hard to read. Choose a plain sans-serif font with a clear difference between letters such as l, I and 1. Set the text in regular or medium weight, with bold used for the few things that need it. Avoid italics and all capitals for longer text.
Contrast
Black text on white paper is the easiest. Dark navy on white is nearly as good. Pale grey, pastel colours and text over pictures all lose readers. Avoid putting words on a photograph or a watercolour.
If your regular bulletin has a coloured design, leave the colour out of the large print version, or limit it to a thin rule.
Layout
- One column of text, aligned left, with a ragged right edge.
- Generous space between items, so the eye can find the start of each.
- The order of service as a simple list, with the hymn numbers in bold.
- One side or one sheet per page, not a folded booklet, so nothing is lost in a fold.
Expect the large print version to run to more pages. That is fine. A sheet per section, clipped together, is often easier to hold than a folded booklet.
Paper
Use matte paper. Glossy stock reflects the light and makes it harder for many people to read. White or a very pale cream works. Dark paper does not.
Offering it well
Do not make a person ask in front of others. Some churches leave a stack of large print copies at the welcome desk, and ushers hand one to anyone who looks as if they would like it. Others email the PDF to members who prefer it, so they can read on a tablet and make the letters as large as they like.
It also helps to remember that low vision is not the only reason. Someone who has lost their glasses, or who is reading in a dim room, will be glad of it too.
Keep it in step with the regular bulletin
The trouble with a second version is keeping it up to date. If the announcement changes in the regular bulletin on Thursday and nobody edits the large print copy, one group has the old information. Build both from the same source, so a change in one shows up in the other. Bulletin Generator produces a large print version of each bulletin automatically, from the same content.
Common questions
What size is large print?
Most guidance starts around 16 to 18 point and goes up from there. Many people with low vision need more than that, so offer a few sizes if you can.
Should the large print bulletin be a different design?
It should be the same words in a layout that is easier to read: bigger type, a single column and plenty of space.