Font ideas for a cookbook?

Too broad of a question. The font should be readable but also reflect the focus of the publication.

There’s really nothing carved in stone on font use. I haven’t done a cookbook, but as I sit here and think about it, my goal would be something clear and easy to read. The first thing that popped in my mind for that is Georgia. It’a plain, non-fancy font but relatively predictable an easy to read in different sizings. I did a book with this once because some friends complained in early readings that they were having trouble with the size/spacing of the font I’d used up until then. They liked it when I switched to Georgia and tho’ the current book is using Garamond, I came very close to switching to Georgia for this one, too. Bottom line, focus on what is most important to you, tho’. You want to use a font that does fit the theme but remains readable. Also remember, as folks age, the eyesight can go, so don’t use too small a font! My eyes would probably thank you, especially if I didn’t have to squiint and lean down to make out a bit of directions for cooking something. Play around with some different ones. Maybe type up a test page in different fonts and ask for opinions. Lots of ways to approach this.

There are actually a few typeface rules carved in stone, the primary one being:

When used in blocks of text (ie paragraphs), typefaces with serifs are easier to read than sans serif typefaces

I would take Curlz (don’t hate me) and MODIFY it. (add small tomatoes and/or whatever fruit/veg. that apply) and make it looks like it’s part of the font. (Growing out of the swash/tail…the curly end of the letters)

It’s kinda risky, and or might be overkill, but if it’s subtle enough i “think” it might work.

And yes “CURLZ” IS my favorite font, I don’t care what anyone says damnit

Some common nice fonts in no particular order (Not necessarily for the cook book)
excluding Arial are

Helvetica Neue (ULTRA LIGHT)
Palatino
Century Gothic
Times new Roman
Helvetica
Zapfino
Papyrus
Hobo?
Comic Sans…
Zapf Dingbats…
Futura
Garamond
Impact
Kunstler
Courier

Please tell us more about the book (Deserts? Vegetarian? Meat lovers? Your first cook book? newlywed cookbook? single guy’s cookbook? cook using only leftover stuff cookbook?....)

Please let us know who the audience/target audience is, give a little bit info about it (without giving away TOO much if it’s a secret)
and possibly LINKS to some pics.

please insert food here for more font suggestions

I like Verdana., but Optima or Century Gothic are also good. I cook a lot and prefer a sans serif face.

If a serif is more appropriate to the book, Bookman Old Style is pretty easy on the eye.

@jvgr
Very true. I wasn’t thinking about the big picture, gotta admit, just the font itself. It’s amazing how much goes into book design and typography with the font being just a part of the whole.

All I can say is that the font has to be washable. My cookbooks get soiled and I hate it when I can’t read through the spill. So bold and big is good or easily washable.

That’s a great idea Sueanne has. What about specing the printing on Yupo or an equivalent? It would raise the price, but would make the cookbook green and that’s really marketable.

I really didn’t think this discussion would be very interesting but it is! When I did web design I always enjoyed analyzing the little details.

Curlz would be great if not used too much. I like optima too. I am almost 50 and I like very clear, well spaced fonts. I don’t like fonts that smash certain letters together so that you can’t tell what the letter is. Here is an example: rn To me the r and n look like m. IMHO

I think you should design your own cute little utensil fonts.