Letter Nomenclature, Continued
Type size -
height
In type size, height is expressed in points.
A point is a unit of measurement
that approximates one seventy-second of an inch (1/72). There are
approximately 72 points to an inch. Typeface size is measured by its height
from capline to baseline.
Figure 5-8 shows how point size affects letter height.
Figure 5-8.—Point size is letter height.
Type size
(height) on
electronic or
mechanical
devices
In electronic or mechanical lettering devices, the type size of typeface fonts
may be fixed or scalable. Fixed fonts are one size and cannot change.
Scalable fonts allow you to electronically or mechanically alter the size of a
font. These fonts may appear in points that equate to the printing industry
standard of approximately 1/72 of an inch, pixels that represent one picture
element on a computer monitor, or points on a computer monitor that closely
resemble pixels in size. The choice of points or pixels is part of the software
package installed in the computer. Be aware of the differences in electronic
and mechanical lettering devices. Know the point size (industry standard of
1/72") equivalent in your software program.
Continued on next page
5-8
