In the last post, Rob talked about how a “big time fancy design firm” came up with a “blue text on a black background” layout, which can only be difficult to read because of the low contrast between black and blue.
It’s generally agreed that the higher the contrast and resolution, the easier text is to read, with black text on a white background at high dpi (dots per inch) being the easiest. In fact, newspapers and books can achieve higher contrast ratios than a computer monitor, so they seem easier to read. Text displayed at 150 dpi is twice as sharp as a typical video monitor, but HALF the resolution a basic laser printer achieves.
Sacrificing Readability?
In this post I want to question when it’s appropriate to sacrifice a little readability in order to make an impact. For example, magazines often stray from “black on white” and splash colours across their pages, which necessitates changing font colour too. The magazine’s funky colours and layouts make an impact, in much the same way as they would at a website. So when should a website stray from “black on white”, and how far should they push the envelope before visitors rebel against their colour scheme?
At my 3DTV Reviewer blog, I use a non-traditional colour scheme of black text on a bluish background. I wanted the visitor to see a more unusual colour scheme, but still be able to read the text. I think getting the balance right between an interesting and visually appealing website and readability is difficult. No-one wants to see a 100% identikit Internet where every webpage is black text on a white background, but it’s still necessary to maintain readability.
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i agree…maybe more money-saving tips and ideas:) these cards are beautiful!! thanks!
the 3DTV Reviewer Blog has more impact (for me) and it is still very readable.
I think you missed the point of the post.
Dennis
I think a few people missed the point
Always better to have a light background !
In practice though, I try never to use that OR black on white. in real life, every color is a little tainted, which accidentally makes things easier on the eyes. A less than 100% black ink, a less than 100 brightness paper… if you are going to have people read substantial chunks of text, tone it down a bit with #ddd on #000, or #000 on #e7e7e7.
Great tip
That’s what I usually do too
your right about that. good tip.
Thanks! (it’s actually my blog)
Black on white… they have ben using for 100s of years in the printing world.. so don’t reinvent the wheel
Fully agree with your post here. Text with color will be useful to read. For me black&white is the great combination.
Admirable blog! I’ll possibly be referencing some of this info in my next speech. I would appreciate it should you visited my website at
That is an interesting thought. I saw a study a long time ago that was used on paper rather than on screen and it showed that people responded better to paper that was a light yellow with black script was easier on the eye and made it more readable. I wonder if that is applicable to a web page.
That is an interesting thought. I saw a study a long time ago that was used on paper rather than on screen and it showed that people responded better to paper that was a light yellow with black script was easier on the eye and made it more readable. I wonder if that is applicable to a web page.
I think it matters a lot what your website looks like but there are many different ways to go about it. I guess it depends on what you want your final outcome to be. generally speaking I think the color scheme is important but as long as it is easy to navigate and read (hopefully not flat out ugly) then you should have no problems
Nice I have been trying to figure that out for a bit now. I liked how the presentation looked. you were talking about presentations in another post. I think this layout is a good way to go.
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Really awesome blog buddy and such informative post too. I am a web application developer by myself so this article was very interesting for me to read. Moreover those tips are really useful and I will definitely use them in website development process in the future. Awaiting for your next one.
Great post really! i prefer black on white instead of black on blue. black on blue does not have good readability. Hoping few more good from your end..
I don’t entirely agree with your gray on black. It’s a little bit tricky to read. In general I think there are enough other parts of the website that can changed for design instead of the writing.
Honestly I anticipate atramentous on white looks affectionate of all-encompassing and it doesn’t grab me at all, the 3DTV Reviewer Blog has added appulse (for me) and it is still actual readable.
its hard to read some texts on some back grounds but it offers a unique design. Finding the right balance is very hard but not impossible.
the simple the better… I wrote the article and I want it to be readable to my readers..
The higher the contrast and resolution, the easier text is to read.