PDF Design Types

[Theresa Perkins <tperkins -at- LEXMARK -dot- COM>]

Geoff Hart wrote:

> If you're moving to PDF, there are two good options,
> depending on your goal:
> - the document is intended solely for on-screen display:
> redesign it to fit that medium, and switch fonts (probably
> to a sans serif, since these are usually more legible on
> computer screens);
> - you expect users to print out their own copies and not
> read the docs online: Garamond should work fine.
> Personally, I don't like this approach and suspect many of
> your clients won't like it either.


I agree that there are two basic types of PDF designs:

- those which are meant to be printed, and
- those which are meant to be viewed online.

For information meant to be printed, I'd choose a page size, font, etc. that
looks good on a printed page.

For information meant to be viewed online, William Horton mentions using a Slab
Serif font (not sans serif like in Online Help).  I was wondering if anyone
could cite some examples of these.  We are looking for fonts that will look
great for a document designed to be viewed on screen, but we would also like
our customers to be able to print if necessary.  Any suggestions anyone?

If you have suggestions, please email to me, and I'll post a compilation to the
list.

Thanks,

Theresa L. Perkins (tperkins -at- lexmark -dot- com)