Leading
Leading (pronounced "ledding") is the term used to indicate the space between the lines of type. It is usually measured in points going from baseline to baseline.
Italic Type
Italic type refers to letters that slope slightly to the right. They are sometimes referred to as "oblique."
This is a sample of italic type.
Points
A point is a unit of linear measurement used in composition. There are 12 points to one pica and 72 points to one inch.
Justify
When type is set flush left and flush right, automatic adjustments of spacing are made in your word processing program so that all lines of type are of equal length. Your copy is said to be justified.
Kerning
Kerning refers to manually taking out space between characters (letters).
(You can usually find this tool available in most word processing programs.)
3 is the Key!
Your newsletter will be more coherent looking if you use no more than three different point sizes of type. Depending on the typefont you choose, 10-11 points for text type, 14-18 for sub-heads, and 24-36 for headlines works best.
Bad Break
A bad break is an incorrect word division.
Example:
understan-
ding
should be:
understand-
ing
Dagger
A dagger is a reference mark used in footnotes. It looks like this: †
Script Type
Script is a term for any typeface that is handwritten or imitates handwriting.
The best example of a script typeface is: Brush Script
Serif Type
Serif is a term for any typeface that does have fine cross-strokes appearing at the top and bottom of the letters of type.
The best examples of a serif typeface are: Times Roman and Goudy Oldstyle
Increase Type Size with Reverses
Because reverse type appears to shrink visually, choose a type size that is one to two points larger than originally designated on the marked up newsletter copy. Also, try to avoid large areas of reverse text. Reverses are more of an attention-getter and readers will have a tendency to lose interest in your article if too much of it is printed as such.
No Computer Access?
There are several other methods of creating text for a newsletter. Although typewriters usually only have one size of type, they can be used in a pinch. Try to find an electric typewriter with a carbon ribbon for the best typewritten copy.
Typewriters with memory are the next step up. In some cases, you can change typefonts by changing a printer wheel. Beyond that, you will find word processors (not to be confused with the word processing program on your computer!) They allow you to write and rewrite, move type around, make several copies of the same article, and adjust the type for centering and justifying.
If all else fails, spend the money and use a professional typesetter!
Reverse Type
Generally, reverse type is white letters on a black background. Try to avoid using typefaces with serifs such as Times Roman as the thin lines of the serifs have a tendency to fill in. Heavier typefaces such as Arial Bold better lend themselves to this design feature.
Picas
In composition, typesetters use a standard (or unit) of measurement referred to as pica. There are 12 points to one pica and six picas to one inch.
Letterspacing
Letterspacing is the insertion of extra points (space) between characters (letters) to spread them farther apart.