C - Typography Terms

Typography Terms - C

Typography Terms - C

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All Terms A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

caching

The process that saves bitmaps in memory or on the printer's hard disk in order to minimize the amount of time spent generating bitmaps. The first time a particular letter is imaged, its bitmap is generated and cached. Subsequent uses of that letter can use the cached version for huge performance gains.

calendaring

Named for a stack of smooth calendar rollers made of metal that paper is run across to give a smooth fin-ish to the sheet. Often the paper is flooded with a liquid clay-like coating before it's run through the calendaring stacks, which gives a hard, shiny surface to the paper.

California job case

The large drawers of shallow height used to sort hand-set lead type into small compartments that were arranged based on the frequency of use of the char-acters.

calligraphic

In typography, this usually refers to Roman or Italic alphabets which appear to have been written with a pen or brush. Derived from the Greek word "kalligraphia," which means "beauMful writing.

callout

A selection of type (word or phrase) that is set in larger or bolder type from the body-copy font for emphasis.

cap height

The height of the uppercase letters within a font. (See also cap line.)

cap line

The imaginary line which represents the uppermost part of capital letters and some character's ascenders. A line marking the height of uppercase letters within a font.

capital

The large letters of the alphabet; the original form of ancient Roman characters. The letters are based on a de-sign within a square?no ascenders or descenders; also called uppercase, majuscule, and caps.

caps and small caps

The typesetting option in which the lowercase letters are set as small capital letters; usually 75% the height of the size of the innercase.

caption

Text describing an illustration, photo, or other piece of artwork or graphic (see cutline).

character

A symbol in writing. A letter, punctuation mark or figure.

character count

An estimation of the number of characters in a selection of type.

character set

A single font's characters, symbols, and numbers.

codex

a book of paper or parchment leaves bound with boards; distinct from the ancient volume in scroll form.

cold type

The general term for type which is created by photocomposition, in which no heat is required.

colophon

An inscription at the end of a manuscript or book that contains facts about its production; identifies artists, designers, or printers, and specifies the typefaces and pa-pers used.

column rule

A line used between two columns of type.

comp

Short for comprehensive layout; used to show a client how the printed piece will look.

condensed

Characters which are narrower to fit into a compact space. A properly condensed character should fit into a smaller space without making it too thin or reducing the character's height.

connotation

the associations a particular font brings to the readers interaction with it; what it reminds the reader of, the feelings or thoughts that arise when looking at it.

contrast

An indication of the difference between the thicker and thinner parts of characters in a typeface. Bodoni with its thin serifs and horizontal strokes and thick verticals, is a high contrast face. Helvetica (and most Egyptians) is a low contrast face.

copy

All typeset words and/or text incorporated into the publication (as in art and copy)

counter

The enclosed (or partially enclosed) space within letters such as 'c,' 'e,' S,' 'H,' and 'g.' Often confused with "bowl."

cross bar

The horizontal bar connecting two strokes of a let-terform, as in "H" and "A", the ends are not free.

cross stroke

The part of the letter that cuts horizontally across the stem, like in the letters 't' and 'f.' Also known as the "cross bar."

crotch

The pointed space where an arm or arc meets a stem: an acute crotch less is than 90 degrees, and an obtuse crotch is more than 90 degrees.

cuneiform

The Sumerian writing style of wedge-shaped characters that are pressed into damp clay with a stylus.

cursive

First used in the 16th century, these typefaces imitate handwriting. Script letters and cursive typefaces appear to be drawn with pen and ink. Unlike script, however, cursive letters are not joined.

cutline

Term used predominantly by newspapers to describe a photo (see caption).

All Terms A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

caching	The process that saves bitmaps in memory or on the printer's hard disk in order to minimize the amount of time spent generating bitmaps. The first time a particular letter is imaged, its bitmap is generated and cached. Subsequent uses of that letter can use the cached version for huge performance gains.
calendaring	Named for a stack of smooth calendar rollers made of metal that paper is run across to give a smooth fin-ish to the sheet. Often the paper is flooded with a liquid clay-like coating before it's run through the calendaring stacks, which gives a hard, shiny surface to the paper.
California job case	The large drawers of shallow height used to sort hand-set lead type into small compartments that were arranged based on the frequency of use of the char-acters.
calligraphic	In typography, this usually refers to Roman or Italic alphabets which appear to have been written with a pen or brush. Derived from the Greek word "kalligraphia," which means "beauMful writing.
callout	A selection of type (word or phrase) that is set in larger or bolder type from the body-copy font for emphasis.
cap height	The height of the uppercase letters within a font. (See also cap line.)
cap line	The imaginary line which represents the uppermost part of capital letters and some character's ascenders. A line marking the height of uppercase letters within a font.
capital	The large letters of the alphabet; the original form of ancient Roman characters. The letters are based on a de-sign within a square?no ascenders or descenders; also called uppercase, majuscule, and caps.
caps and small caps	The typesetting option in which the lowercase letters are set as small capital letters; usually 75% the height of the size of the innercase.
caption	Text describing an illustration, photo, or other piece of artwork or graphic (see cutline).
character	A symbol in writing. A letter, punctuation mark or figure.
character count	An estimation of the number of characters in a selection of type.
character set	A single font's characters, symbols, and numbers.
codex	a book of paper or parchment leaves bound with boards; distinct from the ancient volume in scroll form.
cold type	The general term for type which is created by photocomposition, in which no heat is required.
colophon	An inscription at the end of a manuscript or book that contains facts about its production; identifies artists, designers, or printers, and specifies the typefaces and pa-pers used.
column rule	A line used between two columns of type.
comp	Short for comprehensive layout; used to show a client how the printed piece will look.
condensed	Characters which are narrower to fit into a compact space. A properly condensed character should fit into a smaller space without making it too thin or reducing the character's height.
connotation	the associations a particular font brings to the readers interaction with it; what it reminds the reader of, the feelings or thoughts that arise when looking at it.
contrast	An indication of the difference between the thicker and thinner parts of characters in a typeface. Bodoni with its thin serifs and horizontal strokes and thick verticals, is a high contrast face. Helvetica (and most Egyptians) is a low contrast face.
copy	All typeset words and/or text incorporated into the publication (as in art and copy)
counter	The enclosed (or partially enclosed) space within letters such as 'c,' 'e,' S,' 'H,' and 'g.' Often confused with "bowl."
cross bar	The horizontal bar connecting two strokes of a let-terform, as in "H" and "A", the ends are not free.
cross stroke	The part of the letter that cuts horizontally across the stem, like in the letters 't' and 'f.' Also known as the "cross bar."
crotch	The pointed space where an arm or arc meets a stem: an acute crotch less is than 90 degrees, and an obtuse crotch is more than 90 degrees.
cuneiform	The Sumerian writing style of wedge-shaped characters that are pressed into damp clay with a stylus.
cursive	First used in the 16th century, these typefaces imitate handwriting. Script letters and cursive typefaces appear to be drawn with pen and ink. Unlike script, however, cursive letters are not joined.
cutline	Term used predominantly by newspapers to describe a photo (see caption).