Have you ever looked at a document and thought, “Something’s Off”?
Maybe it was a company report, a government publication, or even a printed book. The content was solid, but something about the layout just didn’t feel right. The spacing was strange, the fonts were inconsistent, or maybe the pages felt cluttered or uneven. It made the document harder to read and a little less credible. I’m guessing you probably didn’t get to the end and put it down to read later.
That “off” feeling is often caused by poor formatting also known as typesetting mistakes.
Good typesetting isn’t just about design – it’s about structure, clarity, and readability. Poor typesetting distracts your audience and damages trust in your message. It can be subtle and the reader might not be able to pinpoint that “off” feeling but it can do damage to your brand and message. Whether you’re publishing a formal report, a book, or a corporate document, these mistakes can quietly undermine your professionalism.
Here are 7 of the most common typesetting mistakes we see and how professional typesetters fix them.
1. Inconsistent Fonts and Styling
Using multiple fonts, random text sizes, or mismatched heading formats makes documents look chaotic and hard to follow. Inconsistency breaks the visual rhythm that helps readers process information.
Avoid it by:
- Limiting font choices
- Applying consistent heading levels (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
- Using style sheets to maintain formatting throughout
Professional typesetters use tools like Adobe InDesign to lock in styling across every page and this can be used as a template for future work.
2. Poor Alignment and Uneven Spacing
Text blocks that don’t line up, awkward paragraph indents, or uneven white space across columns disrupt the visual flow and can leave your document looking messy and hard to read.
Avoid it by:
- Aligning text to a consistent grid or baseline
- Keeping uniform gutter and margin spacing
- Avoiding full justification without managing hyphenation and word spacing
Precise alignment is a hallmark of professional typesetting, and can be a giveaway for DIY publications. Remember you are representing your brand and you want to be seen as professional.
3. Widows, Orphans, and Rivers
These are subtle but damaging layout errors:
- Widows: A single line of a paragraph at the top of a new page
- Orphans: A single word or short line stranded at the bottom of a paragraph
- Rivers: Distracting vertical white spaces in justified text
Avoid it by:
- Adjusting tracking (letter spacing) and leading (line spacing)
- Manually fine-tuning text breaks across pages
- Reviewing proofs visually, not just through software, it’s amazing what you pick up when viewing a PDF.
These issues are rarely fixed by automated tools – they require a trained eye. Make a note of what you are looking for and go over the PDF page by page highlighting what needs to be addressed.
4. Incorrect Margins and Trim Settings
Margins that are too tight or misaligned can cause content to appear cramped – or worse, get cut off when printed. This is especially problematic in professionally bound documents. We have worked with authors who forgot to set this and their printed book came back with text to the edge of the page. Not a good read!
Avoid it by:
- Setting appropriate margins for readability and binding
- Including bleed and trim areas for commercial printing
- Checking alignment across left and right (verso and recto) pages
A professional typesetter formats your document based on its final output—whether print, PDF, or both. These need to be set up before you work on the internal design, if you forget you will have a lot of work to re-do as the text will reflow.
5. Low-Resolution or Poorly Placed Images
Blurry logos, pixelated graphics, or badly positioned images instantly diminish the quality of a publication. They make even the best content feel rushed or careless.
Avoid it by:
- Using 300dpi CMYK images for print
- Maintaining consistent image margins and alignment
- Adding captions and sources for clarity and accessibility
We integrate visuals into the layout grid to enhance, not interrupt, the reader’s experience.
6. Missing Visual Hierarchy
If your document doesn’t have a clear structure – like headings, subheadings, and styled elements – your reader may feel lost or a little overwhelmed. A lack of hierarchy also makes it harder to scan and reference later.
Avoid it by:
- Establishing a consistent heading hierarchy (and sticking to it)
- Using size, weight, and spacing to guide the reader
- Introducing visual cues like pull quotes, callouts, or shaded boxes
Professional typesetting ensures structure is visually embedded, especially in long or technical documents.
7. Overlooking Accessibility (Especially for Digital Formats)
For government and corporate communications, accessibility isn’t optional – it’s expected. If your PDF or report doesn’t meet basic standards, you could be excluding part of your audience.
Avoid it by:
- Structuring content with semantic tags
- Adding alternative text for all images
- Using high-contrast colours and readable fonts
At Post Pre-Press, we ensure your digital publications are readable, compliant, and accessible to everyone.
Want to Avoid All These Mistakes? Work With a Professional.
These typesetting errors may seem minor but they quietly erode your credibility, frustrate your readers, and make your publication feel less professional than it should.
Whether you’re producing a printed report, digital document, or large-scale publication, we help ensure every detail is clean, consistent, and polished.
With over 30 years of experience, Post Pre-Press specialises in making words look good – on paper, on screen, and in print.
Ready to Get Started?
Let’s ensure your next publication is professional and reflects your brand.
