Question

I have to choose a font for a web application that produces a printable view of some text (long text, no colors, white background).

Example here.

Users will read this printable view in these possible ways:

1. From pc\Ereader (after saving it in html)
2. From pc\Ereader (after “printing” it in Pdf, mac users will natively do it)
3. From paper

Temporarily i have chosen the web workhorse Georgia font for the screen reading, and although my css has a @media print directive, i have not yet redefined any different print font.
In few words, i don’t know if i should differentiate the printing font from the one for screen;
changing the @media print font will affect also the 2.pc\Ereader users that like to read their Pdf on screen.

So i’m searching for a font that should satisfy these requirements:
1. Should have a good compromise in term of readibility\legibility for printing and screen reading
2 (bonus). Should handle strange unicode characters (Georgia is missing something here)

Any hints?
Any better approach?

Answer 1

Generally when reading long passages of text, you want to use a serif font. It leads the eyes easier, which makes reading that little bit less stressful on your eyes/brain. Personally I like Garamond, Goudy, and some of the Century fonts.

If you need to use a sans-serif font, might I suggest Univers? it’s like the cooler older brother of Helvetica.

If you can ONLY use web-safe fonts, you’re probably best going with Times or Helvetica. (Or you could do some font-importing)

Also make sure to take care with your line-height (leading, in ye olde printing terms) as text that is too spaced or too cramped makes for harder reading. Generally sans-serif fonts require more leading to help guide the eye along.