Walking distance
The tracking denotes the horizontal extension of a line of text; it results from the width of the individual characters ( thickness ) and spaces between characters (character spacing).
Lead type
In lead type , the thickness of the letters (i.e. character width as well as the leading and trailing widths) is determined by the metallic cone . Character spacing is created by spacing : "non-printing" spaces are inserted between the letters . The result is called the lock rate .
Application in phototypesetting
In photo typesetting , on the other hand, the character spacing can easily be reduced or increased. A uniformly defined word is used to determine the average distance (see photo typesetting device “ diatype ”). With the help of this separate word, the spacing can be determined order-specifically and changed according to the requirements.
Application in computer typesetting / print design
Common image editing and desktop publishing programs (as well as modern word processors ) support lock set . The spacing does not take place by means of intermediate space elements such as the spaces. The individual characters are simply placed further apart in the document.
Use in screen design / web design
With cascading style sheets there is the property letter-spacing. It specifies the additional spacing between two consecutive characters and thus enables a locking rate - negative values are also possible. Ligatures should letter-spacingnot be generated if you specify differently (by browser, etc.).
See also
literature
- Stephan Füssel, Helmut Hiller: Dictionary of the book . Vittorio Klostermann, Frankfurt am Main 2006, ISBN 978-3-465-03495-7 .
- Ursula Rautenberg (Hrsg.): Reclams Sachlexikon des Buches . Philipp Reclam jun., Stuttgart 2003, ISBN 3-15-010542-0 .