About

Typefaces and

Fonts

Bitmapped Font

A bitmapped font is a one in which each character is represented by a set of dot patterns. Each font size requires a different set of dot patterns.

Scalable Font

A scalable font is one in which each character’s dot pattern (bitmap) is generated from a mathematical representation (or outline) of the character. Scalable fonts eliminate the need to store many different font sizes.

Point Size

Point size refers to the height of a proportionally spaced typeface. A point is a unit of measure equal to 1/72". Therefore, the larger the point size, the larger the letter. The following example shows characters in 8, 10, 12, 24, and 36 point sizes:

A B C D E

Pitch

Pitch refers to the number of characters per horizontal inch (cpi) in a monospaced typeface. Therefore, the larger the pitch, the smaller the

letter. For example, a ten-pitch typeface

 

mathematic

prints ten characters per inch (or 10 cpi)

 

 

 

 

 

 

while a twelve-pitch typeface prints

0

 

1

 

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twelve characters per inch (or 12 cpi).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The example shows ten-pitch and twelve-

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

1

pitch Courier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional Printing

3-5