Is there a difference between font sizes in a B or D size Title block?

[Lizar24]

We are currently creating a B size title block for our department standards. We use a font size of .1 in our D size title block. What is the equivalent font size for a B size title block?

[jaberwok]

There is no good reason to use different font sizes for different sheet sizes.
There is no good reason to use different title block sizes for different sheet sizes.

[Except in the real world where different sized sheets are often treated differently (not-to-scale plots)].

[cadtag]

I'll disagree -- and not just to be contrary.. Since you mention B & D drawing, you're evidently not dealing with metric sheets.

You're also not specifying which B and D sizes your'e talking about ANSI? Architectural? or mixing ArchD and Ansi B?

The latter is pretty common around here, and a PITA. ArchD (36"x24") is the generally required submittal size, but AnsiB (11"x17") is the common 'reduced size' - mainly because it's the only readily available printer size. contractors prefer to have a smaller set on hand in the field simply be cause it's easier to handle than a giant roll of paper. Given this, the text size used on the full-size sheets needs to be large enough to remain legible at a reduced size w/o a magnifying glass. 0.1" works pretty well for that. Using 0.08" as the font is pushing it for legibility on reduced size prints. Some of my clients require 1/8" (0.125") as the normal text size on full size sheet - generally because they are storing at a reduced size, micro-fiche or some such.

Getting a printer that can handle ArchB (12"x18") is pretty uncommon, and it's a guarantee that the other people you'll be dealing with will not have one, so I'm limiting my "B" size comments to AnsiB, also referred to as "Tabloid" in the printer dialogs.

0.1" text on an 11"x17" is larger than it needs to be, considering that printing at reduced size is not a requirement. DOT in this area requires AnsiB deliverables, and 0.07" as the default font height, and that seems to work well for that size. Small enough to not waste room, large enough to be readily readable. I can't suggest using that on a larger drawing that will most likely be delivered as a reduced size print - it will become unreadable and turn into squggly blobs after it's been copied a time or three.

My take is that yes, you should use different font sizes for different native size drawings. The goal of a drawing is to clearly communicate design intent, and using a one-size-fits-all approach does not enhance that goal. might make your life easier a bit, but just not worth it. We're professionals after all, and can exercise professional judgement on our deliverables.

Titleblock, similar arguments in favor of unique borders for each sheet size. Full size, whether AnsiD or Arch D, will invariably be used as reduced size prints. Using an ArchD border on an AnsiB sheet really works poorly, since the proportions are different. You end up with a lot of wasted space, and odd scale factors. There's also the communication factor -- You've got less physical space to work with on the B sheet, so elements on the border elements (phone, address,ca#) that are small on the D will become unreadable on the B, or at the least require a magnifying glass to read.

[gfreddog]

I agree with Cadtag, we use 1/8" (0.125) our standard sizes are ARCH D 24" x 36" or ARCH E1 30" x 42" (Architect Driven). But all prints must be readable at ANSI B 11" x 17" and we use Arial as the font to insure readabliltiy for us.

[cadtag]

one of my agency clients requires 0.14" text height on Ansi D sheets -- mainly because they _really_ want 11x17 prints to work with although their requirements call for 22"x34" reproducible prints as deliverables.. and the 0.7" finished size is very legible after they shrink the D to fit on B.

[Richard McDonald]

We work differently all our text are a standard size when printed 1:1.
5mm high for Titles 3.5mm high for Sub titles and 2.5 mm high for general text. This is for A4 to A0.

I think the real answer is in Cadtags last post, the driving factor is what does the client/Boss require.

[jaberwok]

I'll disagree -- and not just to be contrary..

You didn't disagree - you just amplified.
BUT, if you work with large sheets and assume that they will always be reproduced at a reduced size, why not just draw on "smaller" sheets in the first place?
This is a situation where the long-standing standards have not caught up with current usage.

[cjohnson_041261]

We use the same title and revision blocks for ANSI B through ANSI D. We are currently updating all ANSI A drawings to ANSI B as the A's did have a different template and there is not enough space on the print for the common blocks. We are slowly building a read-only PDF folder on the server for drawings to be accessed in-house. There have been a few complaints regarding font size when the larger drawings are printed to ledger (ANSI B) size.

[jaberwok]

one of my agency clients requires 0.14" text height on Ansi D sheets -- mainly because they _really_ want 11x17 prints to work with although their requirements call for 22"x34" reproducible prints as deliverables.. and the 0.7" finished size is very legible after they shrink the D to fit on B.

The metric equivalent is drawing on A1 and plotting at A3.
If you tweak the A1 drawings to be easier to read at A3, then they DO NOT COMPLY with standards for an A1 drawing.
Simple - create the drawing at A3.
Standard text heights are 7mm, 5mm and 3.5mm - as decreed (well, the inch equivalents) before computers, yet alone CAD.

[Lizar24]

Thank you very much for your response!