If you like small caps, my advice is to look into the new OpenType fonts that have them.

Unlike the PostScript and TrueType formats, one OpenType font can accommodate thousands of characters, often including small caps. The good news is that small caps are in many of the newer OpenType fonts. Of the ones that are, the small caps are often either in separate fonts with small caps replacing the lowercase and denoted by a SC in the font name, or they’re part of Expert Sets, which usually cost extra. The problem is that many typefaces aren’t available with true-drawn small caps. The computer-generated small caps on the left are too light, too narrow, and too tight compared to the true-drawn small caps on the right. True small caps, in comparison, are drawn by the type designer to perfectly match and blend with the color, texture, and spacing of the typeface (Figure 1).įigure 1.

Although most of today’s design software can automatically generate small caps, these false small caps are typographically undesirable, no matter what proportion is used, because their weight is too light next to caps and text, and they’re often too narrow and usually too tight. When small caps lead into text, they should be the height of the lowercase characters, or very slightly taller. Small caps are capital letterforms that are shorter than cap height. What is the best proportion for creating small caps with design software? I don’t always like my software’s small cap default, as the proportion is so drastic.Ī. You ask, and noted type authority Ilene Strizver answers! Just send your questions to TypeTalk is a monthly question-and-answer column on typography.

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