Last updated on 2024年8月30日

What are some of the best practices for using kerning, leading, and tracking in desktop publishing?

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Kerning, leading, and tracking are three essential aspects of typography that can make or break your desktop publishing project. They affect how your text looks, reads, and communicates your message. In this article, you will learn what these terms mean, why they matter, and how to apply some of the best practices for using them in your desktop publishing software.

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1 What is kerning?

Kerning is the adjustment of the space between two individual letters or characters. It can improve the appearance and readability of your text by reducing gaps or overlaps that may occur due to the shape or size of the letters. For example, you may want to tighten the kerning between A and V, or loosen it between T and o. To use kerning effectively, you should consider the context, style, and size of your font, and apply it selectively and consistently.

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John Drossos

UI/UX excellence | Web Developer | Ethical web development
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Kerning can be a double-edged dagger in design. The right amount can elevate it, making it more polished and readable. Overdo it, and you're looking at a cluttered mess. It's a delicate part of UI design, where a gentle, careful touch can make all the difference.

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Abu Bakar Javed

Book Designer | Manuscript Editing Done? Reach Out for Hassle-Free Book Cover, Interior Formatting, & Publishing Experience
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Many design software programs offer an optical kerning option, which automatically adjusts spacing based on the shape of adjacent characters rather than their preset metrics. This feature can be a great starting point before making any manual tweaks.

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2 What is leading?

Leading is the vertical space between lines of text. It can affect the density, flow, and legibility of your text, as well as the overall layout and design of your page. For example, you may want to increase the leading for a large headline, or decrease it for a small footnote. To use leading effectively, you should consider the length, alignment, and purpose of your text, and balance it with the white space and margins of your page.

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Abu Bakar Javed

Book Designer | Manuscript Editing Done? Reach Out for Hassle-Free Book Cover, Interior Formatting, & Publishing Experience
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Consider the medium of your design. For print, slightly looser leading may be necessary to counteract ink spread, while digital designs often benefit from tighter leading due to screen display differences and pixel rendering.

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3 What is tracking?

Tracking is the uniform adjustment of the space between all letters or characters in a word, line, or paragraph. It can affect the mood, tone, and emphasis of your text, as well as the alignment and fit of your text within a given space. For example, you may want to increase the tracking for a bold statement, or decrease it for a compact caption. To use tracking effectively, you should consider the contrast, hierarchy, and clarity of your text, and avoid creating too much or too little space.

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Abu Bakar Javed

Book Designer | Manuscript Editing Done? Reach Out for Hassle-Free Book Cover, Interior Formatting, & Publishing Experience
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Be mindful of tracking when working with different font weights. Bold fonts may need a bit more tracking to maintain readability, while light or thin fonts often require tighter tracking to avoid looking too spaced out or disjointed.

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4 How to use kerning, leading, and tracking in desktop publishing?

Most desktop publishing software have tools and options that allow you to adjust kerning, leading, and tracking manually or automatically. You can also use keyboard shortcuts or sliders to fine-tune your settings. However, it is important to preview your text and check for any issues or inconsistencies before you apply any changes. When making adjustments, use kerning sparingly and only for specific pairs of letters that need it. Lead proportionally to the size of your font and the length of your line, and track moderately and only for stylistic or functional reasons. Additionally, avoid creating too much or too little space between or within your text. Experiment with different combinations and settings until you find the best fit for your project.

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Abu Bakar Javed

Book Designer | Manuscript Editing Done? Reach Out for Hassle-Free Book Cover, Interior Formatting, & Publishing Experience
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Many desktop publishing tools allow you to save kerning, leading, and tracking settings as styles. Utilize these presets for repeated use in a document to maintain consistency and streamline your workflow, especially in multi-page projects.

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5 Why are kerning, leading, and tracking important for desktop publishing?

Kerning, leading, and tracking are important for desktop publishing because they can enhance or diminish the quality and effectiveness of your text. They can help you create a professional, attractive, and coherent visual presentation of your content. They can also help you convey your message, tone, and personality to your audience. By using kerning, leading, and tracking wisely, you can improve your desktop publishing skills and outcomes.

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6 What are some resources for learning more about kerning, leading, and tracking?

If you want to learn more about kerning, leading, and tracking, you can explore Typography for Lawyers, a website that offers practical and accessible tips and advice on typography for legal documents and publications. Additionally, The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst is an excellent book that covers the history, theory, and practice of typography in detail and elegance. Typekit Practice has interactive lessons and exercises on typography fundamentals and techniques. Lastly, Typewolf is a website that showcases and reviews fonts and typography trends in web design and desktop publishing.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are some of the best practices for using kerning, leading, and tracking in desktop publishing?

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1 What is kerning?

2 What is leading?

3 What is tracking?

4 How to use kerning, leading, and tracking in desktop publishing?

5 Why are kerning, leading, and tracking important for desktop publishing?

6 What are some resources for learning more about kerning, leading, and tracking?

7 Here’s what else to consider

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