The Typographer's Guide to Typography

By Rittsu

Typography is seen all throughout our life but it is something that many don't know about. This is because typography is a craft that is subtle. It effects us on a subconscious level until it is noticed. Understanding of basic typographic principles helps authors, writers, journalist, lawyers and other creators of written media to deliver their message and communicate it to the world. This short guide on typography will help you to understand the basic guidelines and principles of typography in an easy to understand way.

Rittsu is a typesetter for Kuro Ookami Inkou with over two years experience in typography in both print and web. She extols the virtues of good typography and extrapolates e-Book typography to its core helping others understand the simplicity of e-Books.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kuro Ookami Inkou
• Release date: Dec 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463557310

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About this Guide

This guide is an introduction to typography for both print books and e‑Books. Keep in mind that all of this is nothing more then my thoughts, opinions and viewpoints on good typography and as such some of it is subjective. In the end you will need to practice and learn; explore and create until you find what fits you and your style. Typography is a craft, you get out of it what you put into it. However, studying from a book on typography alone isn’t enough to teach you typography. Kind of like studying science, you can study it from a manual all day but until you actually practice you are only learning what works in theory.

The Typographer’s Guide to Typography isn’t meant to be an in‑depth guide on typography merely the basic understanding needed for self‑published authors to create professional books in both print and digital media. I created this book in hopes that every self‑published author will learn from it and strive to make their stories beautiful not just in words but in format as well.

Font vs. Typeface

What’s the difference between the two? Well, a typeface is a collection of fonts that are similar to each other while a font is the letters that make up the file. As an example, Minion is a typeface but MinionPro‑Regular.otf is a font. Truth be told many people intermix font and typeface to the point that you can say whichever and no one will give you to much grief over it. But do keep in mind that they are, technically speaking, different. Throughout this guide I will use these terms interchangeably to avoid ambiguity.

Measurement Units Used in Typesetting

There are a few different units of measurement used for typesetting and while it is possible to typeset in any unit you want, sometimes it is best to use the standard typographic units to conform to the standard that all typographers use.

Point: A point is used to measure the size of type and line spacing, in general.