| Melbourne Museum of Printing | Our Glossary of Printing and Typography TYPE MEASUREMENTS, TYPECASTING, MATRICES |
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| SUGGESTION: HOW TO EXPLORE THIS GLOSSARY | |||||||||||||||||||
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IF YOU KNOW THE NAME OF A TERM, GO TO THE ALPHABETIC PAGE eg to find PICA choose the Alphabetic Page N-Q. You will find several meanings of this word, and that it is mostly used in TYPE MEASUREMENTS. | |||||||||||||||||||
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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE OTHER TERMS ABOUT TYPE MEASUREMENTS look in the Thematic Glossary about Typecasting and Type Measurements | |||||||||||||||||||
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| ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THESE DEFINITIONS INCLUDE: | |||
| usu = usually | cf = compare with | eg = for example | typic = typically |
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | alphabet length | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| the length of complete lower case alphabet, measured in absolute or relative units (ems of size). | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | ascender height | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| height from baseline to the top of ascending strokes | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | baseline | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| line on which most characters sit | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | body size | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| size pointwise of type body: the step, baseline-to-baseline in solid (unleaded) typesetting | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | cap height | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| height from the baseline in any fount to the top of most capitals | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | cicero | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| European unit of measurement 7% larger than a pica: divided into 12 Didot pts | ||
| NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE | descender depth | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| depth from baseline to the lowest point of the descenders | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | em (absolute) | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| a pica em (12 points), used as a unit of measure (line length) | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | em (relative) | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| a unit, setwise, equal to current body size. [from the letter M] | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | en (relative) | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| half an em: also en space, en quad, en rule, en leader | ||
| MISCONCEPTION / INAPPROP TERM | leading [ledding]. 2 | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| NOT the distance between baselines: 12pt type, 3pt leaded makes 15pt line-to-line | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | pica . . . . . . . 1 | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| traditional typesize name, later taken as the standard 12 point measure | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | pica . . . . . . . 2 | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| defined (around 1890?) as 0.1660 inch: 6 picas = 0.996 inch | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | pica . . . . . . . 4 | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| European equivalent of pica is the Cicero (about 7% larger) | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | point . . . . . . 1 | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| fundamental unit for type body sizes: the point is defined as 1/12 pica | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | point . . . . . . 2 | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| Anglo-American point is 0.013833 inch (1/12 of 0.1660) or 0.351 mm | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | point . . . . . . 3 | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| some computers use pica = 1/6 inch: their point has become 0.013889 inch | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | point . . . . . . 4 | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| points are also used for spacing and rules: 3pt leads; 1pt rule face on 2pt body | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | point . . . . . . 5 | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| European point (or Didot) is 1/12 of a Cicero (about 0.0148 inch) | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | point . . . . . . 6 | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| in practical terms, 36pt is half an inch, and so on: no easy conversion to metric | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | point size | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| size of type body: typeface designed for that body size | ||
| ADVERB | pointwise | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| in the vertical axis of a piece of type: the bowl measures 3.6 pts, pointwise | ||
| NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE | set width | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| measure of character along the line: often in units-of-set | ||
| ADVERB | setwise | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| measured along the direction of set, ie along the line [opp pointwise] | ||
| NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE | type size | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| type body height: line-to-line spacing when type is set solid | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | weight . . . . . . 1 | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| relative stroke thickness of characters, from light to ultra bold | ||
| NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE | width | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| relative total width of characters, from extra condensed to extra expanded | ||
| NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE | x-height | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| distance, pointwise, between base-line and x-line: height of typical l/c letter | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | x-line | TYPE MEASUREMENTS |
| the upper-bounding line of typical non-ascending l/c letters | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | body . . . . . . . 1 | TYPE CASTING |
| shank of metal supporting the platform and typeface: the "bulky" part of a piece of type | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | buren | MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING |
| hand-held engraving tool for cutting punches or for engraving plates | ||
| VERB | cast . . . . . . . 1 | TYPE CASTING |
| fill the type mould, one end closed by a matrix, with molten typemetal, so making a type | ||
| ADJECTIVE | cored | TYPE CASTING |
| (type body) cast in a cored mould. This makes hollows in the body to save weight. | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | counter . . . . . 1 | MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING |
| a space within the shape of a letter of a punch, unreachable by the engraver's file or buren | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | counter . . . . . 2 | MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING |
| the unreachable space is impressed by a counter-punch. This gave rise to the term "counter". | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | counter-punch | MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING |
| small punch to impress parts of a letter-punch where carving would be difficult | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | die | TYPE CASTING |
| alternative name for matrix | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | drive | MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING |
| depth of the cavity in a matrix: equates to the height of the face over the shoulder of the body | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | engraved matrix | MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING |
| matrix engraved rather than punched. Used for one-off designs. Difficult to obtain polished face. | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | engraved punch | MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING |
| most mats in C20 struck from punches machine-engraved rather than hand-cut. No more counter-punches | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | feet | TYPE CASTING |
| the bottom end of a sort: separated by the groove: if no groove, smooth-foot type | ||
| EQUIVALENT TERM | foundry | TYPE CASTING |
| see typefoundry | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | groove | TYPE CASTING |
| where the bottom of sort has been tooled (by hand or machine) to remove the tang | ||
| VERB | justify | MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING |
| remove surplus metal from a strike (new matrix) and finish it to exact size for casting | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | matrices | TYPE CASTING |
| this is the plural of matrix: often abb to mats | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | matrix . . . . . . 1 | TYPE CASTING |
| metal block with shape of character indented into a flat side | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | mould [US mold] .. 1 | TYPE CASTING |
| casting device which gives shape and size to body of type (but not character) | ||
| NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE | multigraph type | TYPE CASTING |
| handset type on t-footed body, specially made for Multigraph system | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | nick | TYPE CASTING |
| groove in one (usu front) surface of type body: some founders made multiple nicks | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | nick purpose | TYPE CASTING |
| the nick and wire stop newly-cast sort lifting in mould when matrix is lifted off | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | nick tongue | TYPE CASTING |
| in later moulds a rectangular tongue replaces wire making square nick | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | nick wire | TYPE CASTING |
| in some type moulds the nick is formed by a wire inset into the mould halves | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | nick, partial | TYPE CASTING |
| the nick may not go across the whole body width, esp larger sizes | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | nick, tooled | TYPE CASTING |
| some typefaces had one or more of their multiple nicks added after casting | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | nicks, multiple | TYPE CASTING |
| many typefounders provided nick patterns to help comp identify similar faces | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | punch | MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING |
| an original character carved into tip of steel rod and hardened | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | punch proof | MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING |
| as each punch progressed, the letter-cutter would proof it to ensure its fidelity to design | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | sort | TYPE CASTING |
| a single piece of type, also a type not part of the alphabet, usu sold as an extra, eg fractions | ||
| VERB | strike . . . . . . 1 | MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING |
| impress the punch into the matrix material by hammering or with slow pressure | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | strike . . . . . . 2 | MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING |
| matrix after being struck and before being justified: some metal pushed aside by striking, visible | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | Supercaster . . . 1 | TYPE CASTING |
| (Monotype): casts type to 72 pt: leads, rules, borders, furniture | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | typefounder | TYPE CASTING |
| person who casts types from molten typemetal. To found means to melt and cast. | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | typefoundry | TYPE CASTING |
| place or business where metal types are cast. Not a place where digital typeface designs are sold! | ||
| NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE | typemetal | TYPE CASTING |
| an alloy of lead with tin and (usu) antimony and perhaps traces of other metals | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | typemetal strength | TYPE CASTING |
| harder grades of typemetal for foundry down to 60% Lead : softer 85% grade for Linotype use. | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | composition caster | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| under tape control, casts individual type justified ready to print | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | diecase | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| common term for matrix case | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | justification scale | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| the drum, unique for each set-size, which shows the space-size needed to justify | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | justification wedges | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| pair of wedges in caster: set for each line: determine space size to 0.0005 inch | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | keybar | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| rod assoc with a key, with pips to operate needed punch bars to cast that letter | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | keybar frame | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| carries keybars for one typeface arrangement eg Bembo with Bold & Italic 6 - 12pt | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | keyboard | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| operated by a compositor, produces 31-channel tape to control the caster | ||
| BRAND NAME | Monotype . . . . . 1 | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| orig hot metal typesetting system, later many typesetters and prepress equipment | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | Monotype . . . . . 2 | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| typesetting system: produces individual characters composed and justified | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | mould [US mold] .. 4 | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| fixed size pointwise but variable set-wise for various letters | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | normal wedge | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| steel wedge giving mould blade the correct opening for a particular set-size and pattern of units | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | normal wedge number | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| includes the stopbar code required by the Unit Arrangement, plus the set-size, eg s554-13pt | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | punch bar | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| 33 cross bars actuated by keybar pips: each bar operates one ribbon punch | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | ribbon format . . .1 | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| there are 31 rows of holes, 14 for each axis plus Spacing, Fine and Coarse justification | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | ribbon format . . .2 | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| each axis has 15 logical values (A to O, 1 to 15) but O and 15 have no holes: a blank row = O-15 | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | ribbon punch | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| the keyboard punching unit has the needed 31 punches plus 2 dummy punches for balanced operation | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | set size | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| width in points of an 18-unit character or quad in a particular face and size | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | sight gauge | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| enables operator to align characters on body better than 0.0005" from standard | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | stopbar | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| a stopbar gives the keyboard mechanism the unit advance needed for a particular row of an arrangmnt | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | stopbar frame | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| device carrying the set of stop bars. Inserted into keyboard. Stopbar code stated in Unit Arrangemt | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | Supercaster . . . 2 | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| typecasting system developed by Monotype: adjunct to their composition system | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | unit arrangement | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| specification of which character-widths will go into which matrix-c ase row: includes stopbar code | ||
| NOUN, COUNTABLE | unit of width | MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER |
| the set-size is divided into 18 units: characters specified to be so-many units, normal minimum 3 | ||
Persons wishing to use these are asked to contact the author at Melbourne Museum of Printing.
Comments and suggestions about terms and definitions will be very welcome.
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