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LDBoblo · 11-27-2009, 12:19 PM

Lots of fonts work reasonably well if properly set with appropriate width and kerning and leading.

I have lot of good commercial fonts that I use, and prefer them to all the freebies I've tried. However, if you're crazy enough to set them at 12pt or larger, I don't think there's much of an issue with any common font in Latin languages. I set most of my files at 8-9pt, and so most standard fonts I dig up are a bit lacking.

Adobe's opticals are pretty good at those small sizes on low-quality screens like e-ink since there is a caption size that has lower line contrast and slightly heavier setting than standard, without being a "medium" or "bold" font. Some fabulous print fonts don't do so well on e-ink (Jenson, Warnock, Minion), but others fare alright (Garamond, Arno, Chaparral).

Another pretty good font for small sizes is Karmina. Scala works well at 9pt or more, and Scala Sans is my go-to sans, though I only use sans for shorter documents or headings and such.

Another capable font is ITC Mendoza Roman. Seems to play well at moderately small sizes, but it sometimes needs tweaking. I've only used it for one book so far, and it rarely jumps out at me as a dominant choice.

I've played with PMN Caecilia and while it's OK, I think it benefits from a lot of leading and a touch of condensing. It's just a bit too broad, and whenever I try to use it, I end up using Chaparral Pro Caption instead.

There are lots of others that seem decent that I just don't use or don't have. Quadraat, Dolly, Milo Serif, etc. etc. etc.

Looking at books that I have done for myself, the most common typefaces I use for ebook reader body text are Karmina and Chaparral Pro Caption, then Garamond Pro Caption and Arno Pro Caption, then Scala.

11-27-2009, 12:19 PM	#27
LDBoblo Wizard Posts: 1,385 Karma: 16056 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Asia Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505	Lots of fonts work reasonably well if properly set with appropriate width and kerning and leading. I have lot of good commercial fonts that I use, and prefer them to all the freebies I've tried. However, if you're crazy enough to set them at 12pt or larger, I don't think there's much of an issue with any common font in Latin languages. I set most of my files at 8-9pt, and so most standard fonts I dig up are a bit lacking. Adobe's opticals are pretty good at those small sizes on low-quality screens like e-ink since there is a caption size that has lower line contrast and slightly heavier setting than standard, without being a "medium" or "bold" font. Some fabulous print fonts don't do so well on e-ink (Jenson, Warnock, Minion), but others fare alright (Garamond, Arno, Chaparral). Another pretty good font for small sizes is Karmina. Scala works well at 9pt or more, and Scala Sans is my go-to sans, though I only use sans for shorter documents or headings and such. Another capable font is ITC Mendoza Roman. Seems to play well at moderately small sizes, but it sometimes needs tweaking. I've only used it for one book so far, and it rarely jumps out at me as a dominant choice. I've played with PMN Caecilia and while it's OK, I think it benefits from a lot of leading and a touch of condensing. It's just a bit too broad, and whenever I try to use it, I end up using Chaparral Pro Caption instead. There are lots of others that seem decent that I just don't use or don't have. Quadraat, Dolly, Milo Serif, etc. etc. etc. Looking at books that I have done for myself, the most common typefaces I use for ebook reader body text are Karmina and Chaparral Pro Caption, then Garamond Pro Caption and Arno Pro Caption, then Scala.