Have you ever wondered what the difference is between kerning and tracking? Many people use these words interchangeably, but there is a big difference between the two. In this blog post, we will take a look at the differences between kerning and tracking, and how to use them correctly in your designs. Read on to learn more!
What is Kerning?
Kerning is the process of adjusting the spacing between characters in a font. In print, kerning is important for achieving a clean, professional look. On the web, kerning can be used to improve readability, especially at small sizes. Kerning is usually only applied to headings and other large text; for body copy, it’s generally best to leave the spacing as-is. Kerning is a relatively simple process: each character is given a “left” and “right” value, which represents the amount of space that should be left on either side of the character. By adjusting these values, designers can fine-tune the spacing between characters to create a more harmonious and visually appealing text block.
What is Tracking?
Tracking is the process of adjusting the space between letters in a block of text. Tracking can be used to increase or decrease the overall density of a paragraph, and is often applied for aesthetic reasons. In some cases, tracking may also be used to improve legibility, such as in small print or when using a highly condensed typeface. While tracking is typically applied uniformly to a whole block of text, it can also be used selectively to create emphasis or visual interest. When used excessively, however, tracking can make text difficult to read, so it is important to use this tool sparingly. Tracking is just one of many ways that typesetters can adjust the spacing of text, and by understanding how it works, you can create more polished and professional-looking documents.
Difference between Kerning and Tracking
Kerning and tracking are terms often used in typesetting and refer to the space between letters. Kerning is the adjustment of space between individual letterforms, while tracking is the adjustment of spacing across a range of letterforms. Kerning is mainly used to improve readability and create a more cohesive look, while tracking is mainly used for aesthetic purposes or to create visual effects. Although they both affect the space between letters, they are two distinct processes.
Conclusion
In the graphic design world, kerning and tracking are two very important concepts to understand. Kerning is the process of adjusting the spacing between characters, while tracking is the overall adjustment of letter spacing in a word or phrase. Both of these techniques can be used to improve legibility and create a more aesthetically pleasing final product. However, it’s important to use them correctly and sparingly, as too much adjustment can have negative effects on readability.