This guide documents the typographic and color decisions for IndyFurCon 2026 printed materials. Before locking in any choice, the considerations below should inform every decision — what looks great on screen often behaves very differently on paper.
Print resolution is fixed at the moment the file goes to press. Unlike a screen where type is rendered dynamically, a printed page cannot compensate for a poor font choice at a small size. Every typeface decision should be evaluated at its intended print size, not at screen zoom.
Condensed fonts are a practical choice for event programs and schedules — they pack more information into a tight column while remaining readable. However, condensed faces can feel cramped if set too small or with insufficient leading. Test at the actual print size before committing.
Weight contrast matters. A bold heading above a regular-weight body creates clear hierarchy on paper. If the weight difference is too subtle, the hierarchy disappears when printed, especially on uncoated stock where ink spreads slightly into the paper fibers.
Colors defined on screen in RGB must be converted to CMYK for print. This conversion is not 1-to-1 — highly saturated RGB colors, particularly bright blues, greens, and oranges, often shift noticeably when printed. All palette colors on this page are defined with their screen approximation; the authoritative CMYK values in the Affinity palette file govern the actual print output.
Ink coverage affects both cost and quality. Solid fills of very dark colors (especially near-blacks built from four CMYK inks) can cause registration issues, slow drying, and bleed-through on lighter stock. Rich blacks should be used intentionally, not as a default.
Contrast on paper is non-negotiable for readability. Light text on a mid-tone background that looks fine on screen can become unreadable when the ink density shifts slightly in the press run. Use the Accessibility section of this guide to evaluate each color pairing before applying it to body content.
Font options for headings are not very limited. The more coverage a font, font-family or superfamily has, the more likely it is to be useful for headings. However, many fonts are designed for specific purposes and may not be suitable for headings.
The fonts to choose from for headings have been provided by team members and are all available free or at a minimal cost.
Heading fonts traditions display in print at 36pt, 24pt and 18pt which will vary as layout changes demand. All the fonts here seem to fit for the theme though as explained in the typography section above, many of these fonts aren't useful for anything smaller than about 14-16 point because they are "artistic" single-use fonts and not designed well for smaller sizing.
Body fonts have different constraints from headers in that there is so much information in a conbook we need to save and make space for everything but not at the expense of readability. There is no denying we have to use a very small font to fit into layout, cost and printing constraints.
Select colors from the palette for the final theme. Use the Color Overview in the Color section to document intended uses once decisions are made.
A good header font should be sized relative to the page size, be very clear at a larger font size but also have some flexibility. Since most won't look good at lower font sizes, we keep heading at 36pt.
Sub-heading is sort of misleading. The biggest use of the "concept" is for special introductions to sub-sections of content for a given area or for page continuation within a section. We keep this between 14 & 24pt. Note that 1/2 interest fonts might be used to support continuation indicators if we don't rely solely on footer section indicators.
Paragraph headings are used for sub-sections of explanatory body content, or as the titling of individual events, presentations, panels, and similar scheduled items within a section.
Each event block consists of a title, day and time, host credits, and one or two body paragraphs. A 3pt gap separates the host line from the body, and paragraphs from each other.
Join us for the official opening of IndyFurCon 2026. This year's ceremony will feature introductions from our guests of honor, a look at the weekend schedule, and the unveiling of the charity auction.
All attendees are welcome. Seating is first-come, first-served. Doors open 15 minutes before the event begins.
Remember, until we have all the data for large sections of the conbook set, it is difficult to say if the spacing you see above, between lines, between paragraphs, will be in the final result. There are certainly times when changing a couple pages of paragraphs to decrease the space between them by event 1pt can add up enough to make room for something unexpected during development.
Primary palette colors with name and intended use. This is the reference record — update the Use field as assignments are finalized.
Each palette color shown in three contrast contexts: white text on the color, black text on the color, and the color as text on black.
| White on Color | Black on Color | Color on Black |
|---|---|---|
| TEXTCyan | TEXTCyan | TEXTCyan |
| TEXTIndigo Blue | TEXTIndigo Blue | TEXTIndigo Blue |
| TEXTPurple | TEXTPurple | TEXTPurple |
| TEXTMauve | TEXTMauve | TEXTMauve |
| TEXTMagenta | TEXTMagenta | TEXTMagenta |
| TEXTOrange | TEXTOrange | TEXTOrange |
| TEXTRed Orange | TEXTRed Orange | TEXTRed Orange |
| TEXTDark Navy | TEXTDark Navy | TEXTDark Navy |
| TEXTMidnight | TEXTMidnight | TEXTMidnight |
| TEXTBurgundy | TEXTBurgundy | TEXTBurgundy |
| TEXTAmber | TEXTAmber | TEXTAmber |
| TEXTPale Yellow | TEXTPale Yellow | TEXTPale Yellow |
| TEXTYellow | TEXTYellow | TEXTYellow |
In 2025 we used a "parchment" like paper stock background on everything except for the front/back pages which were full art. This was a thematic choice that worked well so long as we maintained the ability to keep the background image visible but not allow it to bleed into other text and images.
For this year, I'm not sure that a full image background is going to work well because 2025's core color palette was more subdued while this year is shaping up to be very vibrant and associated images express that same sentiment.
Below is the selected sample that we'll use for the page.
Unless there is a special need, all pages can have a background color (probably not using any kind of texture), we just need to keep with a warm version (Art & Theme recommended) of any of the primary or secondary colors we have adopted for this themed conbook.
It is possible we will use different color backgrounds for primary sections since we do have them identified. Time and look / feel will determine whether or not that is the case.
Remember, the selection you see here is still just an example and could change.
The pamphlet is a simple promotional handout for IndyFurCon 2026. It could take a few forms: a two-sided letterhead letter, a one-page 2026-themed flyer, or the current leading format — a 2-up, single-fold layout on 8.5×11 that produces a compact four-panel piece when folded.
Pandez provided the initial content, which was lightly enhanced and then laid out in that folded format as a starting point. The design leaves room for additional imagery — several pieces were referenced or supplied during early planning but have not yet been located or made available. Those image slots are noted as placeholders in the layout until the assets can be tracked down.
A general-audience handout for IndyFurCon 2026, aimed at the public rather than local businesses. It covers what the convention is, when and where it happens, and how to attend, in a format that can be handed out or left on a table.
The existing conbook is a large, highly designed publication — extensive artwork, full-color graphics, decorative layouts, and intermixed text. The accessibility editions below are intended as accommodations for that publication, not redesigns: each should prioritize readability while conveying the same core information as the standard conbook.
The existing full-color publication. Serves as the master document for all alternate versions.
Produced by Citrine.
Purpose: Improve readability by emphasizing text over visual design.
Notes:
Purpose: Improve readability through larger typography.
Notes: Expected print quantity is also approximately 5–10 copies.
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