TypographyBasics

Typography

5 point type6 point type7 point type8 point type9-point type10-point type11-point type12-point type14 –point typeText type

16-point type18-point type20-point type24-point type30-point type36-point type42-point type48-point type60-point type72-point typeDisplay type

DISPLAY TYPEThis is text type, also referred to as body text or body copy.It is usually set in an easy-to-read typeface and line lengthsthat aren’t too short or toowide. This text is set using 14 point Garamond book while the heading is 20 point GillSans Ultra Bold. The width ofthis column is approximately 15 picas wide using a Flush Left/Ragged Right alignmentstyle. The left edge is straightor flush and the right edgeis uneven or ragged.

Source: Designing with Type, 5th Edition

X-height

All type specimens are set in 60-point type.

Source: Designing with Type, 5th Edition

Source: Designing with Type, 5th Edition

Source: Designing with Type, 5th Edition

Inches are best for U.S. paper sizes.Picas and points are the traditional measure and what I learned. There are six picas per inch, 12 points per pica, 72 points per inch, all easily divisible, unlike inches!

A point is identical to a Mac pixel — the Mac runs on 72 pixels per inch — which makes paper-to-web transitions easy.

U.S. type sizes are measured in points.A “computer” or “PostScript” pica is rounded to exactly 1/6 inch. An old-fashioned, traditional pica is .000622 inch shorter than this, so physical rulers no longer work.

Source: Designing with Type, 5th Edition

Old SchoolTypography

California Job Cases

Font drawer

Font drawers and platen proof presses

Typesetter composing metal type

Composed type ready for proofing

Typographer composing type in a type chase

Locking up the composed page with a quoine

Linotype machine

Linotype machine