![]() |
#1 |
Zealot
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 108
Karma: 3026116
Join Date: Oct 2014
Device: android
|
Custom fonts in ebooks
This may be a question of personal preference but still If we try to explore how good it is to customize the fonts using CSS styles, From somewhere I got to learn that Serif is the best font for reading or long time reading, even the kindle formatting lays out strict guidelines on why not change the normal fonts.
Despite that some publishers insist on having an customized fonts for their EPUB ebooks, they may embed custom fonts or try to do it using CSS alone. I understand that having a custom fonts maybe required for particular ebooks type such as children s book or fixed layout epubs, and probably some non-English ebooks do not render well with default fonts. Other than that do you think its worth having custom fonts, while reading do you override customized fonts from your device/app setting or allow reading them as is? |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 5,814
Karma: 68407974
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles
|
I strip embedded fonts and override specified fonts.
|
![]() |
![]() |
Advert | |
|
![]() |
#3 |
350 Hoarder
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 3,574
Karma: 8281267
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Midwest USA
Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2
|
Same as meeera, I remove all embedded fonts and set my reader to override with what's comfortable for my eyes, which is a bolder serif font.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Zealot
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 108
Karma: 3026116
Join Date: Oct 2014
Device: android
|
if that is majority in that case webkit browser based ebook readers (device or app ) may not stand out agajnst plain old ebook readers. looks like ebook readers should not be fancy but many developers are trying to make.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 3,821
Karma: 19162882
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Te Riu-a-Māui
Device: Kobo Glo
|
I leave the publisher's embedded fonts in the book, but I usually override it with my choice of font on the device.
I like the books where the publisher has used an ornate embedded font for things like chapter headings, scene break ornaments, etc. If it is done right then I can override the font used for the main text but still see the pubisher's fonts used in those places. Edit: Screenshots from a book where the publisher has got it right: First shot shows the book with the font set to document default, chapter heading and main text are rendered in the publisher's embedded fonts; the second with it set to Georgia, the publisher's font remains for chapter headings etc. but the reader's choice overrides the font used for the main text. Last edited by GeoffR; 12-14-2014 at 06:00 AM. Reason: Added screenshots |
![]() |
![]() |
Advert | |
|
![]() |
#6 | |
Zealot
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 108
Karma: 3026116
Join Date: Oct 2014
Device: android
|
Quote:
Last edited by webroot; 12-14-2014 at 06:04 AM. Reason: added info |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 3,821
Karma: 19162882
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Te Riu-a-Māui
Device: Kobo Glo
|
I like the embedded font used for the paragraph text too, it suits the fantasy setting of this book, but I find the plainer Georgia more comfortable for extended periods of reading.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Zealot
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 108
Karma: 3026116
Join Date: Oct 2014
Device: android
|
so maybe it is due to individuals font preferences, to me second font with georgia is bit difficult to read.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 | |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 3,821
Karma: 19162882
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Te Riu-a-Māui
Device: Kobo Glo
|
Quote:
But if the publisher tries to force the main text to always use the publisher's font then the result is that the reader will just strip all the fonts, and then the ornate headings etc. will be lost as well. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 | |
Zealot
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 108
Karma: 3026116
Join Date: Oct 2014
Device: android
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 3,821
Karma: 19162882
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Te Riu-a-Māui
Device: Kobo Glo
|
Quote:
The publisher doesn't have to do any thing special, they just need to use header elements (<h1>, <h2> etc.) for their headers, use paragraph elements <p> for pararaphs, etc. Some publishers use <p> for both headers and paragraphs, or use <div> instead of <p> for paragraphs. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 | |
Resident Curmudgeon
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 79,743
Karma: 145864619
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
|
Quote:
But, now that I have an H2O, I might try the publisher's choice of body font since I can change the line height and the weight of the font. With my T1, I had to take the font as is and it was too light. With Kobo Readers, you can patch the firmware to allow the advanced font control and it even works for the default embedded font. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 | |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 1,613
Karma: 6718541
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Paradise (Key West, FL)
Device: Current:Surface Go & Kindle 3 - Retired: DellV8p, Clie UX50, ...
|
Quote:
In the examples, I much prefer the left-hand example. The right-hand is too dense looking and needs more leading (aka "line spacing",...) to compensate the font's larger x-height. But that is based on viewing the screen shots on a large monitor. The only true test is done by viewing on the actual device being used. Last edited by dwig; 12-14-2014 at 09:32 AM. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 | |
doofus
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 2,549
Karma: 13089041
Join Date: Sep 2010
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Voyage
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 3,821
Karma: 19162882
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Te Riu-a-Māui
Device: Kobo Glo
|
Kobo Glo, although all Kobo e-ink devices do the same (assuming the publisher hasn't done something dumb like using a paragraph element for the header.)
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Tags |
epub, fonts |
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Kindle PW 2 5.4.5.1 - Custom Fonts? | nolson | Kindle Developer's Corner | 3 | 10-28-2014 05:19 PM |
Custom fonts K4 | artcon | Kindle Developer's Corner | 2 | 05-11-2014 04:34 PM |
Custom fonts | Jellby | PocketBook | 20 | 12-31-2013 09:07 AM |
PRS-T3 T3 fonts & custom fonts | Phil_C | Sony Reader Dev Corner | 5 | 12-22-2013 02:34 PM |
Touch Fonts question (special characters in stock and custom fonts) | levil | Kobo Reader | 20 | 09-23-2011 01:51 PM |