THE WORD48 Properly weighted small caps and fractions

PROPORTION IS KEY when using small caps and fractions. Shortcuts to their creation provided by design software may seem easy, but any comparison of “fake” small caps or slapped-together fractions with the real thing will immediately reveal the difference. Properly weighted small caps are slightly wider and slightly weightier in addition to being shorter; this allows them to exist harmoniously within the tonal density of the surrounding text. Similarly, properly weighted (and constructed) fractions are also slightly wider and slightly weightier, and the spaces on either side of their slashes are calibrated by the type designer to match the spacing in text type.

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