A complete series of type of a particular size is called a font; as a font of brevier, or of pica. Such a font would include:
CAPITALS
small capitals
lower-case
ITALIC CAPITALS
italic lower-case.
Also figures, fractions, points, references, braces, signs, etc. Printers divide a font of letters into two classes:
| 1. The upper-case sorts. | } |
| 2. The lower-case |
The upper-case sorts are capitals, small capitals, references, dashes, braces, signs, etc.
The lower-case sorts consist of small letters, figures, points, spaces, etc.
Type lines are often bulked out by the insertion of thin strips of lead, this being called leading. Where no leads are employed the matter is said to be solid.
III. THE TERMS USED IN PRINTING
Composition. This is the name given by printers to the work of setting the type. The compositor holds in his hand a composing-stick, into which he places the type letter by letter, adding the spaces where necessary. A great deal of the newspaper work of the present day is set by type machines.
Distributing. The type of a particular page or article after it has been used on the press or for electrotyping is distributed letter by letter in the cases. This work is much more rapid than composition. Type to be used a second time is said to be standing or is called standing matter.