Prepress Preparation, Continued
Line length
The length of a line is measured in picas. Picas are also used to measure the
width and length of pages and columns. There are 12 points to a pica and
approximately 6 picas to an inch. Do not use points and picas
interchangeably as they do not precisely coincide as a unit of measure. Use
the point system or a line gauge to specify instructions to a typesetter. Some
typesetters prefer specifications in picas only.
Figure 1-16 shows a line gauge or printer's rule.
Figure 1-16. —A printer's rule or line gauge; A. The pica and inch
scale, B. The agate and inch scale.
Continued on next page
1-21
