I л

tight

In moveable typesetting, Interletter
spacing was adjusted by inserting thin
brass strips between each pair of letters.

normal

loose

Tracking

Tracking

Tracking

Tracking is adjusted in increments of
points, units or em-quad percentage. But
it is generally specified in these general
terms: tight, normal, loose (or open).
Very loose and very tight are also used.

Tracking applies to the uniform space adjustment of the
letters in an entire word, sentence, paragraph or larger text
block. One can never track a single character without effecting

the others around it.

In computer typesetting, the unit
is used to adjust tracking in small
increments.

Sans serif and condensed lowercase
type is traditionally set with normal to
tight tracking. This text block is set with
-3 units to make its letters tight.

Serifed, lowercase type is traditionally
set with normal to loose tracking. This
text block is set with normal tracking.

Type set in all capitals should have
normal to loose tracking. This text block
is set with +5 units of tracking.

■a——

Tracking adjusted -10 units

Tracking should not be confused with kerning.
Kerning applies to the space relationship between
two specific characters. Tracking applies to the
uniform spacing of an entire word, sentence,
paragraph or larger block of text.

Tracking should nor be confused with kerning. Kerning
applies to the space relationship between two specific
characters. Tracking applies to the uniform spacing of an
entire word, sentence, paragraph or larger block of text.

TRACKING SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED
WITH KERNING. KERNING APPLIES TO THE
SPACE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO
SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. TRACKING APPLIES
TO THE UNIFORM SPACING OF AN ENTIRE
WORD, SENTENCE, PARAGRAPH OR LARGER
BLOCK OF TEXT.

There are certain procedures for tracking, depending
on which, and how many, characters are involved.