Question about font size to use

[Loh]

Hi guys, is there anyone here who has used Crimson font for printing (magazines or newsletters or books)?

My layout artist is using Crimson for the interior layout of my book and everything's finalized EXCEPT for the font size. I just can't choose between 11-point and 12-point fonts.

So I would like to ask writers/editors here who have used Crimson before in their works to cast their vote.

If you need figures... Page 4 of the chapter in 11-point font contains 280 words and 255 words in 12-point font. Both samples fall withing the industry guideline (250-300 words per page).

[C.B., Beach Body Moderator]

Print off a page of each size and see what looks better to you? :)

[Beatrice]

I've used 11 and 10.5 - I like 11 much better. It's a nice size on the eyes and it fits nicely on the 6*9 page format. 12 is just a little too big, and if you use Times, it has a chance to end up looking more like something from English class than a book.

[Jan]

CreateSpace.com (the self-publishing website from Amazon)'s book template I used uses Garamond size 12. It is about the same as Times 10.5. I like the size (we older folks can read it :-) So with Times I don't see much difference between 10.5 and 11. I agree 12 looks really large.

[Micah]

It's totally subjective. If I were you I'd print off each and compare them to books you have available of which you like the font size. See which one is closest and let it go at that. It's highly unlikely you'll get a lot of critics complaining about the font size.

[Kathleen]

I've been using Cambria size 12 in my print books. It's easy on the eyes and supported by Create Space. That being said, I'm thinking about switching to 11 point Cambria. I'm personally finding 12 point too large, even though older folks tell me they love it.

I just received a goodreads paperback giveaway and the font is minute. It's so small that I think I'm going to have a difficult time reading the print.

[Elizabeth]

I use MS Reference Sans Serif 12. It looks fairly nice on e-book readers and in print from what I can tell.

[Julie]

Older people like Garamond 12pt. but 11pt is fine for most readers.
I don't know Crimson so this might not help.

[KD]

Julie wrote: "Older people like Garamond 12pt. but 11pt is fine for most readers.
I don't know Crimson so this might not help."
I use Times New Roman 12pt. The reader is not going to praise or condemn the font, keep it simple and easy on the eye.

[Alyson]

I prefer Times New Roman 12 pt for my final drafts. It just looks good to me, but your readers aren't going to really care as long as it's normal looking and not to small or too large. :)