Making Single Column Settings Work

There is no one-size-fits-all design solution for the Bible. In addition to being the "bestselling book of all time," the Bible is also one of the most complex design challenges. One of the things I advocate for at the Bible Design and Binding Blog is a single-column text setting. But I'll be the first to admit that this isn't a panacea. Some people are going to prefer the traditional double-column design, and that's fine. I would never argue that double-columns should disappear -- I'd just like the other option to be more readily available.

The thing is, Bibles are set in two columns for a reason. Because the Bible is so big, the text tends to be small, and stretching a line of 6 pt. type across a 6 x 9 inch page isn't a recipe for readability. With two columns, a designer can fit more words on the page, and the individual columns can still be proportioned for easy scanning.

To make a single-column setting work requires more than just waving my design wand and converting one column into two.

If the page size remains the same -- let's stick with 6 x 9 -- then I'll have to make the type larger, approximating the size of type in your average trade paperback. Jumping from 6 or 7 pt. type to the region of 12 pt. is going to mean fewer words on the page, and thus more pages. Another option: keep the type small, but leave huge margins. Imagine a two column layout where one disappears and the other increases to about one and a half times its previous width, with an ample margin on the side. That's a lot of white space, though, so I can put notes and references there to balance the page.

The most obvious solution, though, is the decrease the size of the page, so that it's proportioned with the ideal text column in mind. I'll suggest that something like 4.75 x 6.5 is optimum. That's the measurement of Oxford's combined NRSV and Book of Common Prayer, a volume the feels good in the hand is seems perfectly proportioned for a single column of text. (In fact, the Prayer Book section is set this way, and looks perfect.) Of course, shrinking the size of the page is going to increase the number of pages -- just as bumping up the type size would. Again, the combined Bible/Prayer Book seems like a Golden Rule. Mine measures about 1.75 inches thick. Too fat? Not if you ask me. I prefer small and thick to big and thin.

This is a subject I'll try to flesh out over the next few weeks, so I'm creating a new category of posts called The Perfect Format. The title is not to be taken too seriously. As I said, there is no one format that's going to work for every application. But I'm hoping to illustrate what the perfect format would look like for me. Stay tuned.

Comments

[Scott Sackett]

I'm not 100% sold on the single column Bible. I love The Message & it's single column design. But I wonder if The Message has the advantage of nontraditional verse numbering.

I think the key is finding the right balance between text, font size and line length. I have a paperback Zondervan NASB thinline that is perfect in that area IMHO.

I do agree on the small/thick as a better option. I have the NIV Personal Size Study Bible and it is a little brick. My only problem is it is too thick for my backpack!

[PDS]

I've got the ESV Single-Column reference in calfskin -- and now, after reading single-column, I didn't realize what I was missing and can't imagine I would ever settle for or buy another double-column Bible again in my life. But who knows...

[Jesus Saenz]

Single column Bibles are great for when you want to read or for when you are studying which is different than the kind of reading you do while at church or when just looking up a verse. I think that the ESV Personal Size Reference Bible will be a very handy size, it's dimensions will be nearly identical the old Cambridge Cameo which I really like. The format will make reading easy and the size will make it transportable.

Nowadays we are not limited to one single size or translation. It is possible to buy a Bible that fills our needs specifically. I am an advocate of a Bible quiver. If you want to write in your Bible don't buy a thinline, you read for long periods at a time don't buy a compact, you want ease of carry don't buy a study Bible.

Single column paragraph formats work in two different applications. A relatively small book, 4.5"x7" with a font size of around 7 point. Easy reading, easy carry. The other is a larger font size maybe 10 point with wide margins of at least 1.25" for taking notes. Crossway does make something close to what I just described but it is not in a paragraph style as each verse starts a new line. Keeping the single column in a paragraph will aid in keeping to the context of what is being read and with the wide margins will make for a great "study" Bible... your own.

[PDS]

Jesus - couple of comments. I find that I like to stick to the same Bible for a long period of time, because I get familiar with that Bible. I know that Titus 2:13 is on the right side of the page halfway down...and it just makes it comfortable. I'm not sure if others feel the same, but for me personally, if I move between Bibles (let alone translations), I find that very frustating. But that's me.

I've heard comments on the paragraph versus single verse format argument a couple of times now. As you state above, the argument is that paragraph forms "will aid in keeping to the context of what is being read" - yet, in the Crossway ESV, even though it is in verse format, verses are combined into sections. For example, in Revelation, we have 7 churches spoken of in chapters 2 and 3. If you look at those chapters, you will see them beautifully blocked off, so the context stays in check. They seem to do a good job of this throughout the Bible. I think the way Crossway did it is capturing the best of both worlds...finding a verse easily (which is somewhat an annoyance in paragraph format), while also making an effort to allow the reader to see the context.

[Jesus Saenz]

PDS, I too own the SCR in calfskin. It is the Bible I use for devotional reading as well as for Sunday service. It is a large Bible that may be too big for some but fits quite nicely in my large paws, especially because of how soft the leather is. It also has the paragraph symbols to let one know where the paragraph divisions are.

There is no reason to have anymore than one Bible if one is all you want. My suggestion for owning a quiver is merely for those interested in having a Bible for specific purposes. I know what you mean about being able to quickly look up verse and it can be made more difficult in looking things up having more than one Bible.

As far as the verse per line or paragraph format... I think the paragraph is more aesthetically pleasing.

[PDS]

Makes sense to me...but with all this Allan talk, I may break my own rule.

[Jesus Saenz]

Get an Allan Bible, you will not be disappointed!

[PDS]

With my preferences above, which one do you think I'd like?

[Jesus Saenz]

Their options are limited. It all depends on the translation of choice. If you are currently using the ESV then you have either the black or the tan to choose from. The block is from Harper Collins in the UK, they then pass their magic pixie wand over it and out comes one of the finest Bibles you can own. They also offer one without the leather lining, 32 pages of lined paper at the end and they don't use the nearly extinct "Highland" goatskin. I guess it's just your run-of-the-mill goatskin... maybe from the local petting zoo.

You can also get one in the KJV(AV), NKJV, NASB, NIV, TNIV, NRSV as well the aforementioned ESV

[PDS]

So there are different grades of goatskin huh? I prefer the ESV.

[Jesus Saenz]

If you want the ESV then either the black or the tan are your options. Take a look at the reviews by JMB for a better view of what is available.

As far as the goatskin goes... RL Allan offers two different types, one they call Highland the other is just goatskin. They don't say what the differences are but the Highland goatskin is what they use for their top of the line Bibles.

[Doug Olson]

I am looking for a Thinline single columnBible (I would love Wide Margin). I would like NASB or ESV. I will use NIV barring the first two. I prefer something very supple if possible. Can you help me? Thanks In advance

[Jesus Saenz]

Doug, I do not think that anyone makes a thinline single column Bible. I think single column and thinline are diametrically opposed. If you want a supple wide margin Bible, Cambridge makes a wide margin, NASB bound in goatskin. The Lockman Foundation make a wide margin called the In Touch Ministries Wide Margin Edition which you can get in calfskin also in the NASB. Lockman's side column, wide margin is not anywhere near being thin at 1.75" thick. Crossway(ESV) makes a few Bibles with margins that are wider than normal but the only one made with premium calfskin, so far, is the Single Column Reference.

[J. Mark Bertrand]

Doug -- Another option to take a look at is the single-column NIV that Cambridge has offered for awhile now. Here's a link to check it out:

http://www.cambridgebibles.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=360E9371EE2645E3843D2D91EA7B79AB&nm=Search+by+Topic&type=EcomBB&mod=E%2DCommerce%3A%3AProduct+Catalog&mid=70B7D6357AC74DCE82EF28E7D375E854&AudID=F2FA5266A615486BAACB2CB2ED2E45E4&tier=3&id=155532DF1D0A4994B20489C90466AE48&ntier1=&ntier2=&ntier3=&ntier4=&ntier5=

It may be larger than you want, but I'm afraid the pickings are still pretty slim at this point. If you can wait until the new ESV Personal Size Reference debuts, it should fit your criteria pretty well (though I'm not sure about the thickness). More details here:

http://jmarkbertrand.typepad.com/bibledesign/2007/09/personal-size-r.html

[threegirldad]

On the subject of dimensions, I don't understand why Crossway doesn't publish thickness measurements. If they did, people wouldn't be having to wonder whether the Personal Reference Edition qualifies as "thinline".

[Paul Dearinger]

I have been searching for a single column, paragraph format NAS bible for quite awhile.
I learn so much more of the context of the scripture by reading this type of bible and the NASB is my first choice.
Thomas Nelson has a small one with bonded leather but I would prefer a real nice leather bible or even a hard cover.
I wished someone would make one.

[Gingie]

As an amateur graphic designer that likes dreaming about 'the perfect Bible format,' I really enjoyed finding this website a few months ago.

I would be very interested if there would be some coverage of typography on this site. Perhaps it's a little bit technical, but maybe listing the fonts used in your personal favorite editions. Or, for those less traditional, looking at what more progressive fonts are working and which ones aren't. Maybe even nominating a couple for "the perfect format."

All the best.

[Rey]

I love this site. I'm a professional graphic designer who has been on the hunt for the perfectly designed Bible. Keep trucking!

[ryan]

I wonder if which type of column one prefers could be related to one's reading level? It makes sense to me that a person who can read around 1000 words a minute and take in whole lines at a time would prefer a single column where as a person who reads closer to 400 words a minute (or less) would be helped by the shorter lines. That way one could take in a whole short line and perhaps increase reading speed. Just a thought.