Exhibition texts

Principles for exhibition texts

Exhibition texts should support visitors in navigating an exhibition, following its flow, understanding its themes and engaging with its content.

We use a clear, concise and consistent approach to the writing and design of exhibition texts.

The design and layout of all exhibition captions and panels is developed by the 2D designer working closely with the curator
The positioning of these texts is the shared responsibility of the curator, 3D designer and 2D designer, and requires careful collaboration
Text panels and labels should be plotted onto gallery wall elevations and object case design drawings through the design development process
Exhibition texts usually include a title panel, an introduction, section texts and object labels. This might include labels for clusters or groups of objects
The legibility and clarity of all exhibition graphics should be tested in the gallery, under gallery lights, printed to actual size on the proposed media. It is usually possible to set up a test in a prior exhibition on a day that the gallery is closed to the public
It is the shared responsibility of the 3D designer, 2D designer and the lighting designer to ensure that exhibition texts are well-lit (particularly avoiding shadow and glare) while working within agreed light levels for object conservation. Ensure that lighting designers work from plans and elevations that include the positions of all texts when they design the lighting scheme and specify numbers of lights

Diagrammatic illustration showing a range of wall mounted text panels and their preferred eyeline measurements. The different panel types are: introduction, section text, story text and label. The mid point of the object is shown between 1200 mm and 1500 mm height from the floor. — Diagrammatic illustration showing a range of wall-mounted text panels and their preferred eyeline measurements.

Guidelines and measurements for positioning introduction and section texts

Introduction and section text panels should easy to identify and should allow multiple visitors to fan out and read at once
Section panels should be mounted in consistent positions at the beginning of each section or theme
Section texts should be centered at 1200–1500 mm above the floor when vertically mounted
Section text fonts should have a minimum x height of 20 mm (equivalent of Arial 60 pt). Leading should be greater than the x height of the letters. Line length should be no longer than 55 characters. Text should be left-aligned, with right margins kept ragged
Text should be in good visual contrast with its background. Backgrounds should be plain and unpatterned. Text and background substrate should be matte

Due to variations across fonts and methods of production, we do not rely on the above as our only measure of legibility. It is important to test sample texts with the Visitor Experience Team at as early a stage as possible

Diagrammatic illustration showing a range of case, plinth and wall mounted labels and preferred eyeline and angle measurements.

Guidelines and measurements for object labels

Whether producing one label for each object or cluster labels for a group of objects, texts should be placed in consistent and clear relationship to objects and other interpretative materials
Labels for objects on walls should be mounted at a consistent height – with the top line between 1000 mm and 1350 mm from the floor
Labels for objects in cases should also be positioned in consistent relationship to objects, the hood and the case top edge. Case labels should be positioned outside case hoods and should be angled rather than flat. 10–20° is a comfortable angle for many visitors on an 800 mm high case surface
Object label fonts should have a minimum x height of 3.5 mm (equivalent of Arial 18 pt). Leading should be greater than the x height of the letters. Line length should be no longer than 55 characters. Text should be left-aligned, with right margins kept ragged
Text should be in good contrast with its background. Backgrounds should be plain and unpatterned

Due to variations across fonts and methods of production, we do not rely on these as our only measure of legibility. It is important to test sample texts with the Visitor Experience Team at as early a stage as possible.