PDF Accessibility

Why Accessibility Matters

Accessible documents ensure that all recipients — including people with visual, motor, or cognitive disabilities — can read and understand your PDFs. In many industries, accessibility compliance is legally required.

• Screen reader users need structured content
• Low-vision users need sufficient contrast
• Cognitive accessibility benefits everyone
• Legal requirements (ADA, Section 508, WCAG, EU Accessibility Act)

Color Contrast

Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors:

Font Choices

• Use readable fonts — Sans-serif fonts like Inter, Roboto, or Open Sans are generally more readable
• Minimum size — Body text should be at least 10px; 12px or larger is preferred
• Avoid decorative fonts for body text — save them for titles if needed
• Consistent sizing — Use a clear typographic hierarchy (title → heading → body → caption)

Reading Order

Screen readers process content in a specific order. Design your templates with a logical reading flow:

• Place content in the order it should be read (top to bottom, left to right)
• Don't rely solely on visual position to convey meaning
• Group related information together
• Use clear headings to separate sections

Use Text, Not Images of Text

• Use text elements for all readable content
• Don't embed text in images (screen readers can't read them)
• If you must use an image with text, keep the original text element as well
• Logos and decorative images are exceptions

Table Accessibility

• Clear headers — Make column headers visually distinct (bold, background color)
• Consistent alignment — Numbers right-aligned, text left-aligned
• Row differentiation — Use alternating row colors or borders
• Avoid empty cells — Use "N/A" or "—" instead of blank cells

Layout Best Practices

• Sufficient line spacing — Use at least 1.5× line height for body text
• Adequate margins — Don't crowd text to the edge of the page
• Left-aligned text — Generally easier to read than justified or centered text
• White space — Use generous spacing between sections
• Bullet lists — Use lists instead of long paragraphs when listing items

Accessibility Checklist

• ☐ All text meets WCAG AA contrast requirements (4.5:1)
• ☐ Body text is at least 10px (12px preferred)
• ☐ No critical information is conveyed by color alone
• ☐ Reading order follows a logical top-to-bottom flow
• ☐ No images of text (use text elements instead)
• ☐ Tables have clear, distinct headers
• ☐ Sufficient line spacing and margins
• ☐ Content is written in plain language

Next Steps

• Typography — Font and text styling
• Colors & Backgrounds — Color selection
• Design Patterns — Layout patterns