Layout question

I've been laying out for several years and I have always avoided running white text over a black background at the risk of losing the copy — in fact someone else at the paper did this earlier this week with a multi coloured background )over dead space in a photo) and the copy was difficult to read. However, I am in a situation where for once I really want run white text over a black background — it is for a feature for a supplement where it would be very appropriate.

Any recommendations on how to do this without losing my copy if the alignment on the press is even slightly off? Does running the text in bold help counteract this? I've done the odd pull quote in this fashion with the text beefed up a bit, is that my best option?

I use inDesign if that makes a difference.

Thanks.

 

Try making the type face bold and increasing the point size a bit. If the regular size is 9.5, try 11.5. Also increase the leading. If you go with 11.5 point size, try 13 or even 14 for the leading. That should offset any difficulty in reading the type.
Hope that helps.

 

Cool, will give that a try.

 

Warn your press people and buy them some Timmies. They'll make sure it lines up.

 

I'm a cheap bastard though

 

Then buy a donut and leave them a knife.

 

Hi Beef,

I've done that a few times, although I pick my spots. Usually a feature. And, of course, you have to have the right photo.

Like Michael said, I will either make the point size larger and/or bold it depending on just how dark the background is. If it's as dark, as say the Oilers' home sweaters, you'll be fine.

Also, I try not to run too much (maybe 2-3 paragraphs and then jump it inside) because while it creates a really cool effect, trying to read a lot of it is a strain on the eyes for some people.

 

If you're using InDesign, you can also select the text box, go under Object>Effects>Outer Glow and make it about 20% spread with 75% opacity. That helps bring it off a little. I've done this several times and never had a problem, though, with or without the glow.

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I wound up bolding the text. Saw the printed version last night and it turned out pretty good.

 

Sans-serif type also typically shows up much better in such situations.

If the dark area is 100%K in appearance (even though it's 4-color in reality), you can also cheat and draw a 100%K black box in that area, and run the type over that. Will look crystal clear. But make sure the border between box and photo is seamless if you try that.

 

Another thing if you want to avoid bold (which sometimes can seem too heavy) -- put a stroke on your text. Highlight it, and pull up your stroke menu like you were putting a frame on a box. Then you can put a white stroke on your text and adjust the size of the stroke to where you want it. Gives you more control over how heavy the text is than just changing it to bold.