Eclusive Print Accessibility Standard
EPAS is an accessibility standard for print publications. It describes how design, typography, materials and navigation can be designed so that printed materials are clear, readable and user-friendly for as many people as possible.
Developed using design guidelines, accessibility principles and practical research, the standard provides a clear framework for organizations seeking to make their print materials more accessible and inclusive. EPAS focuses on four pillars: visible, readable, understandable and user-friendly. The core requirements for print materials that can be used without effort by a wide and diverse readership.
Visible
Visibility is all about contrast, use of color, recognizable silhouettes, clear icons and visual distinction between elements. A publication is visible when all information, text, icons, photographs and structural elements remain reliably recognizable under a variety of lighting conditions and on different paper types. The basics: strong contrast, calm backgrounds and visual clarity.
1.1 Color & contrast
Color and contrast ensure that information is immediately visible. EPAS requires stable, high contrast so that text and elements remain clearly legible under all conditions.
1.1.1 Contrast for text
Text has sufficiently high contrast (dark text on light background, minimum dark tones ≥80% black) so that letterforms remain clearly visible under all lighting and paper conditions.
1.1.2 Contrast & silhouette for icons
Icons and labels have adequate contrast (≥3:1) and a clear, color-independent silhouette that remains visible at small sizes.
1.1.3 Transfer of meaning & use of color
Color is never used as the sole carrier of meaning; information is always identifiable through form and/or text.
1.1.4 Background & contrast areas
Background areas offer stable, high contrast and do not include light pastels or busy images under small text.
1.2 Images & visual elements
Images should be clear, calm and supportive. They should not interfere with readability and are never used as a background for small or important text.
1.2.1 Image quality & visibility
Images are clear, calm and easy to see, with an instantly recognizable main subject and without noise or excessive detail.
1.2.2 Text & photos (visibility & contrast)
Text does not appear directly on photos unless a full-coverage overlay is used that ensures full contrast and letter recognition.
1.2.3 Illustrations & silhouette recognition
Illustrations are simple, silhouette-recognizable and not excessively detailed, without transparent or overlapping shapes that cause visual noise.
1.2.4 Captions & legends
Captions and legends are clearly legible, contrasting, at least 10-11 pt and consistently placed directly below the corresponding image so that the visual context is always unambiguously recognizable.
1.3 Icons & Symbols
Icons should be instantly recognizable, contrasting and consistently applied. Meaning should never depend on color and should be preserved even in black and white.
1.3.1 Size & scalability
Icons are sufficiently large (ideally 7-9 mm) and retain their silhouette recognition when reduced in size so that they remain instantly recognizable under all printing conditions.
1.3.2 Contrast
Icons have stable, bright contrast (≥ 3:1) and do not rely on color, thin lines or pressure-dependent details, so they remain fully visible on any background and in black and white.
1.3.3 Consistency
All icons are uniformly applied in style, line thickness, form language and position, so that their meaning and recognition remain constant throughout the publication.
1.3.4 Functional significance
Functional icons are always supported by text or fixed form and are immediately understandable without dependence on color, so their meaning is maintained in all situations.
1.3.5 Line thickness
Icons have a sufficiently robust and consistent line thickness (at least 0.75-1 pt) so that silhouette and detail are not lost in print.
1.3.6 Silhouette
Each icon has a distinct and independently recognizable silhouette that retains meaning in black and white and at 50% reduction, without reliance on internal detail or color.
1.3.7 Placement
Icons are always in fixed, predictable positions with plenty of white space and no overlap with pictures or text, so readers can find them intuitively without searching.
1.3.8 White space & visual isolation
Icons are free from surrounding text and elements, with sufficient and consistently applied white space (at least a few millimeters) so that they do not clash with other content and always remain clearly identifiable separately.
Readability
Readability focuses on typography, font size, line spacing, line length, spacing and layout. A publication is readable when typographic choices support rather than strain the eye. Clear fonts, predictable structures and adequate white space ensure that readers including the elderly, visually impaired and those with reading difficulties can absorb content comfortably and without fatigue.
2.1 Font and typography
Typography should be instantly readable. EPAS calls for clear fonts, adequate size, good line spacing and quiet spacing so that text can be followed without effort.
2.1.1 Minimum font size
Text has a minimum font size of 12 pt, with critical information no smaller than 10 pt and larger audiences requiring an increased minimum point size.
2.1.2 Font requirements
The typeface used is functional, robust and easy to read, without decorative, script or ultra-light variants, and with sufficiently open shapes and consistent line thicknesses.
2.1.3 Style use
Stylistic devices such as capital letters, italics and underlining are used sparingly and only functionally, without interfering with readability or word form recognition.
2.1.4 Interlining
Text uses sufficiently generous line spacing (≥120%) so that lines remain visually separated and line recognition is maintained.
2.1.5 Word & letter patterning
Text retains natural letter and word spacing without negative tracking or compression, with adequate white space between paragraphs.
2.1.6 Consistent use of typography
Font size, typeface, spacing and use of style are applied consistently throughout the publication.
2.2 Layout and structure
Layout should be uncluttered and predictable. Fixed layouts, adequate white space and clear hierarchy ensure that readers understand the structure effortlessly.
2.2.1 Line length
Lines have a length that supports readability (ideally 45-75 characters) and does not cause excessive word breaks.
2.2.2 Column arrangement
Columns are sufficiently wide, clearly separated and logically arranged so that content can be read predictably and without jumping.
2.2.3 White space & margins
Text blocks have ample white space and wide margins, so pages look uncluttered, airy and not compressed.
2.2.4 Alignment
Running text is left-aligned, with no justified or right-out use that causes irregular spacing.
2.2.5 Visual hierarchy
Headings, subheadings and blocks are clearly identifiable, larger and visually separated so that the structure can be quickly understood.
2.2.6 Tables & diagrams
Tables are clearly structured with adequate cell space, visible separation and easily readable text.
2.2.7 Consistency
All pages follow a fixed, predictable visual structure, with consistent positions for headings, labels and navigational elements.
2.2.8 No visual overload
Pages remain visually calm, without distracting backgrounds, overlapping elements or excessive decorative use.
Understandable
Understandable is about language, structure, hierarchy, context and the way information is conveyed. An accessible publication guides the reader through the content with clear headings, logical sequences, consistent terms and supporting visual elements. The message should be immediately understandable without interpretation problems or cognitive overload.
3.1 Navigation & structural logic
The publication uses a clear, predictable and consistently applied navigational structure in which headings, headings, margins, icons and layout tables are always applied according to the same visual logic and positions.
3.1.1 Page numbers
Page numbers are clearly visible, well-contrasted and placed publication-wide in exactly the same position so readers can orient themselves without searching.
3.1.2 Headings & fixed patterns
Headings and fixed page sections follow a recognizable, consistent order and structure, with style, position and internal structure remaining identical in each edition.
3.1.3 Navigation logic
The publication uses a clear and consistent main structure (e.g., chronological or thematic) without staggered layouts, keeping the arrangement intuitive to follow.
3.1.4 Grid & visual structure
One uniform grid is used with fixed columns, margins, spacing and alignments so that all pages are visually stable, predictable and consistently constructed.
Usability
Usability includes navigation, page numbers, headings, grids, choice of materials, paper thickness, format and binding. A publication is user-friendly when readers find their way around without searching, pages turn pleasantly, sections are predictable and the design feels logical. For vulnerable readers, this physical as well as visual ergonomics is essential.
4.1 Material selection & physical handling.
The material used should feel comfortable, be easy to handle and not interfere with readability.
4.1.1 Material supports readability
The chosen material provides stable contrast, minimal reflection and maintains the legibility of text and icons under all lighting conditions.
4.1.2 Materials shall not cause a nuisance
The material does not cause reflection, bleed-through, distortion or other visual or physical hindrance during use.
4.1.3 Physical manageability
The publication is comfortable to hold, open and flip through, without excessive physical effort.
4.2 Paper type & reflection
The paper type should not cause gloss or reflection and should keep text and icons clearly visible under all lighting conditions.
4.2.1 Paper type & reflection
The paper type is matte or low-reflective and does not cause glare that interferes with reading information.
4.3 Paper thickness & stability
The paper should be sturdy enough to prevent bleed-through, see-through and distortion.
4.3.1 Paper thickness & stability
The paper is thick and firm enough to prevent see-through, bleed-through and unstable or wrinkle-prone behavior.
4.4 Binding & manageability
The binding should allow the document to open easily and lie flat, without text disappearing into the inside margin.
4.4.1 Binding & manageability
The binding allows the publication to lie flat, stay open well and not hide or distort text, with minimal hand force required.
4.5 Format & physical usability
The format should be comfortable to handle and provide sufficient space for accessible typography and uncluttered layout.
4.5.1 Format & usability
The format supports accessible typography and comfortable physical handling without forcing overly compact formatting or causing physical strain.
Disclaimer
EPAS (Eclusief Print Accessibility Standard) is a framework developed by Eclusief for the accessibility of print publications.
The standard was created based on design principles, accessibility guidelines, user behavior research and best practices within the graphic arts industry.
EPAS is not a legal standard and does not replace international standards such as WCAG, EN-301549 or ISO standards.
The document serves as a professional guideline intended to support designers, publishers, editors and organizations in creating accessible, understandable and user-friendly print materials.
Although EPAS is compiled with care and expertise, Eclusief cannot guarantee that publications will automatically meet legal obligations or that all accessibility needs of each individual user will be covered.
Organizations themselves remain responsible for complying with relevant laws and regulations.
It is permitted to use EPAS as a reference or quality framework, provided that reference to the source (Eclusive) is maintained.
Modifications, interpretations or derivative versions of EPAS may not be presented as the official standard without prior permission from Eclusief.