Taylor Publishing : Education : Taylor Talk Magazine

Type can be the most impressive and appealing aspect of your yearbook at virtually no cost. But decide early in the year which typefaces you want and stick with them. Type can look cluttered if used inconsistently or improperly.

What's the difference between type families, typefaces and fonts?

A type family is just that -- a family or collection of type that carries the same name, for example, Ballardvale. Some type families are extensive with dozens of variation names like italic, condensed, extended, light, book, ultra, alternate and many others.

A typeface is a single style variation in a type family such as light, bold, condensed or outline.

In the past, the term font has referred to the set of characters of a typeface (letters, numerals, punctuation and symbols) in a given size. In today's world of desktop publishing, the term font has evolved to mean the same as typeface.

What typefaces can I use if I’m a YB!Pro customer?

You will use computer fonts called PostScript fonts. PostScript is a computer language that describes to laser printers and imagesetters (high-resolution film printers) how to draw a page. A copy of any PostScript fonts used in your book must be sent with disk-submission pages.

Some fonts are only for screen display and have no printer font. Most of these carry the name of a city such as New York, Geneva, Chicago, etc. These city-name fonts must not be used on your yearbook pages.

What are serif and sans serif typefaces?

Serif typefaces are categories of type that have small finishing strokes at the end of the main strokes; sans serif (French for "without serifs") type doesn't. Both are suitable for your body copy, captions or headlines. Serif type is considered somewhat more readable but it's also a little more formal. Ultimately, go with your own likes and tastes.

What is a point size?

The point size is the vertical dimension of a typeface in points, measured from the top of the highest ascending characters (b, d, h, k, and l) to the bottom of the lowest descending characters (g, j, p and y). So a typeface that's 24 points in size actually has no single character that tall (since no character has both a descending and ascending component). That's important because many people assume, for example, that a 60 point "H" is 60 points tall when it's actually somewhat less.

What is meant by the term "leading"?

Leading, also called line spacing, refers to the open space between lines of text that improves readability. The term comes from early methods of typesetting where slugs of metallic lead were placed between lines of metallic type to separate the lines for improved readability.

Standard leading is automatically applied to body and caption text unless otherwise specified. It usually amounts to about 15 to 25 percent of the size of the typeface. For example, the standard leading for10 point type is two points. You may see this in a notation form that looks like this 10/12 ("ten on twelve"). The first number refers to the size of the typeface, the second number refers to the height of the line (typeface size plus leading).

For headlines, solid leading is often used. This means that there is no extra space between lines. In this case, the descending characters (g, j, p, q, and y) of one line may just touch the ascending characters (b, d, f, k, and l) and capital letters of the next line. Solid leading works better for larger typefaces since the open space of standard leading appears excessive.

You can specify custom leading values in EliteVision, PageMaker, InDesign and QuarkXPress as part of the typesetting specifications.

What are display typefaces?

Display typefaces are decorative faces designed to convey a tone or a mood. They're often not very readable in smaller sizes so they're not suitable for body copy or captions. Use them in headlines or for special treatments only.

What are emphasis faces?

Sometimes you'll want to draw attention to certain words in your copy. That's done through emphasis faces. They are bold, italic and bold italic. Many typefaces are part of a type family which includes these emphasis variations. In desktop publishing, some people use underline, but unless you're going for a particular effect, it's not recommended for a professional look.

If you use a computer, select the font name with the emphasis face already in the name. It is not recommended that you select bold, italic, or bold italic from the style menu.

What are copy patterns?

Copy pattern (or alignment) is the horizontal positioning of copy in the text block or area. There are five types: flush-left, centered, flush-right, justified and K-pattern. In a flush-left copy block the lines are flush or aligned with the left margin, creating a ragged-right margin (popular with newspapers and magazines). Centered copy is set from the center of the copy block.

A flush-right copy block is the opposite of flush-left. The right margin is aligned while the left margin is ragged. In a justified copy block, both sides are vertically aligned (popular with yearbooks). K-pattern copy, available in Taylor's Vision software, is justified unless the copy fits on a single line, in which case the line is centered.

Readability studies show that flush-left copy is easier to read than justified copy due to consistent letter and word spacing. Justified copy, however, has a more ordered and formal appearance. Many schools use justified pattern for body copy and flush-left for captions, but the choice is entirely yours. The important thing is to be consistent in all your typographic decisions.

What is copy placement?

Copy placement is the vertical positioning of copy in a text block or area. There are three copy placements: top, center and bottom. Top placement is where copy is placed at the top of a copy block or area. Center placement is where copy is centered in a copy block or area. And bottom placement is where copy is placed at the bottom of a copy block or area. Copy placements also help copy maintain a consistent look throughout the book or book sections.

What are backgrounds?

Backgrounds are solid or screened ink of black or spot color areas printed behind pictures, type or other elements. Use backgrounds sparingly. Solid black backgrounds, in particular, can detract from pictures and make copy less readable.

For aesthetic reasons, Taylor recommends placing a two-point or wider black or white rule line around pictures that fall on a background.

It's a good idea to specify a black or reversed line around photos when a background is used. This helps avoid close-register charges and better separates the photo visually from the background.

What is meant by reverse and overburn?

A reverse is a white element created by the absence of ink in a background or photograph. An overburn is an element of solid ink, usually black, on a background or photograph. Type, artwork and rule lines can all be reversed and overburned.

Reverse type is white type. It's actually the absence of ink on a picture, colored background or screened area. If you set your reverse type on a computer, select "reverse" (or "white") as the option. Type must be reversed on 100 percent black backgrounds, and is also recommended on 60 percent backgrounds.

Overburned type is black type on a photograph, a screen or solid spot color. Type will ordinarily be overburned unless otherwise noted.

Can rule lines and artwork be reversed or overburned?

Yes, if they are black-and-white with no gray tones. Art with gray tones must be screened, and screened elements cannot be overburned.

What is a scoreboard?

A scoreboard is a listing of a sport or organization's record arranged in columns of equal depth. Generally, there are three columns with the outside columns justified (flush to the outside) and the center column centered or flush left. If you're submitting your copy as hard copy (attached copy), simply type the scoreboard in the manner you want it to appear when typeset by Taylor.

Computer users can set their own scoreboards through the use of tabs. Methods vary so consult your software manual for specific instructions.

What are initial caps and how are they used?

Initial caps are enlarged letters that begin a copy block. They are used at the beginning of a story or caption as a graphic element to draw the reader's attention. There are three main types of initial caps: dropped, topline and scored. In a dropped initial cap, the large initial letter at the beginning of the copy block is dropped into the lines of copy below. In a topline initial cap, the large initial letter of the copy block originates on the same pica as the first line of type and stands above the type. And in a scored initial cap, the large initial letter of the copy block is positioned outside the left margin. Most often, scored initials are dropped so the top of the letter is even with the top of the first line of the copy block.

Computer users have special commands for setting initial caps in their programs. See your manual for instructions.

What are graphics and artwork?

Graphics and artwork are used to add visual interest to your yearbook pages. Graphic items include:

•	Rule lines
•	Screened areas (usually 10, 20, 40 and 60 percent)
•	Special, textured backgrounds (like Taylor's Pop Prints and Back Drops)
•	Special-effect photos

Artwork can be any printable material that's not a photo. Usually, artwork refers specifically to art that has no gray tones. It's strictly black and white. This is also called line art.

Just like typography, it's easy to go overboard with graphics and artwork. So coordinate your graphics with your theme, color scheme and style so pages don't appear cluttered.

What graphics and artwork are available from Taylor?

Taylor's clip art series contains standard school artwork, cool yearbook graphics, advertising artwork and logos from many national companies. It is available in book form and on disk or CD for computer users. Clip art can be enlarged, reduced and screened. Use only the most recent clip art collections available, or cut art out of the previous year's books and submit it as school art.

See Taylor’s Ultimate Art Book for the complete clip art collection.

Click here to find more information on the Ultimate Art Book and Ultimate Art CDs.

What are Pop Prints and Back Drops?

Taylor's Pop Prints and Back Drops are textured patterns that can add a decorative look to the page. Pop Prints are actually line-art patterns, so they may be screened, printed in a spot color or used at 100 percent black. If type is to print over them, be sure to specify a screen percentage.

Back Drops are actually halftones and must be used at 100 percent of their four-color or black-and-white value. Some Back Drops can present readability problems with both overburned and reversed body type, so be careful to choose Back Drops carefully if you intend to print text on them. Also, note that no more than two four-color Back Drops should be submitted per flat.

Pop Prints and Back Drops are available in Taylor’s Ultimate Art Book and Ultimate Art CDs. Click here to find more information on the Ultimate Art Book and Ultimate Art CDs.

Can we use our own artwork and graphics?

In addition to Taylor's clip art and background graphics, you may submit school-designed artwork for your backgrounds, headlines, index headers, etc. Submit art that is black-and-white only, without gray tones. If your art does have gray tones, submit it as a photo, not art.

What is the difference between a standard rule line and a Harvard rule line?

A standard rule line is any printed line that is less than two picas wide. These rule lines can also add variety to your page. Common rule line weights are one, two, three, six, nine and twelve points. Rule lines are intended to unite design elements, not separate them. A Harvard rule line is two parallel lines, with one line wider than the other. Standard widths are one, three, six, nine and 12 points. When used as a border, the thin line is usually inside.

What is a screen?

Screens are areas of halftone dots used to lighten a printing element or background. They are designated by their densities (usually 10, 20, 40 and 60 percent), that is, the ratio of ink to white space within the screened area. Screens can have a fine or coarse dot pattern, measured in lines-per-inch (lpi). Lines-per-inch refers to the number of dots in a linear inch. High-resolution printing screens, like those generated by Taylor's imagesetters, are between 133 lpi and 150 lpi.

What is meant by black-and-white printing?

A black-and-white page has only one ink color -- black. Gray tones are achieved through percentages of black (usually 10, 20, 40 and 60 percent). Black-and-white printing or images are also often referred to as grayscale.

What is meant by "four color"?

A four-color page has four colors of ink: cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow and black, and is generally referred to as CMYK. These four colors combine to make a color photograph or other artwork. Four-color is more expensive because everything has to be done four times (layers of film, printing plates, and set-up on the press) as opposed to just once with black ink.

What is "spot color?"

Spot color is any printing color other than black. It is most often used for backgrounds and graphics, and allows you to highlight artwork, headlines, initial letters for body copy and other elements. Spot color can be used to print any design element. Taylor makes available a wide selection of spot-colors. Thousands more inks can be custom-ordered (at an additional cost) through the Pantone Matching System (PMS) Selection Guide. Pantone is a common ink standard in North America.

Like four-color, it's important to plan spot-color pages so that the pages can be printed economically. In principle, that means organizing the color by flat or signature and meeting early deadlines.

What are combination screens?

A combination screen (also known as a process mix) color is a way of achieving the look of a spot color on four-color pages. It involves combining screen percentages of two or more four-color process inks (cyan, magenta, yellow and black). A wide variety of unique colors can be achieved this way. Because combination screens are screens, they cannot be screened into percentages as can single ink colors; they must be used as is, in their full value.

Taylor provides a combination screen chart that displays the standard colors you can specify by code number. For clear communication, always refer to combination screens by these unique numbers. Again, combination colors are referenced on Taylor's combination screen chart, available from your sales representative.