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Q. Is there a difference between a font and a typeface?

A. While these two terms are often confused today, they do have unique meanings. A typeface refers to the design of a set of characters, and a font refers to the technology, or method, that is used to set that design. Another way of putting it is that graphic designers select typefaces for their work, but use fonts to create the final product.

While the meaning of the word typeface has remained relatively unchanged over the years, the meaning of font has altered dramatically. A digital font, which includes Type1 (PostScript), TrueType, and OpenType formats, is created with programs such as FontLab and Fontographer, and is considered to be software. A digital font consists of one scalable outline, which is used to set every point size.

Prior to that in the days of phototype, a font referred to the film (technically called the image carrier) onto which the typeface was imprinted.

In the days of metal type (often referred to as traditional typography), fonts were made of metal. Since there was one font for each point size, a font referred to a complete character set of a single size of a particular typeface, so that 8 point, 10 point and 12 point of the same typeface were considered different fonts.

Confusion often arises when designers use the term typeface to mean the style of the type, but printers and service bureaus use the term font, as their concern is how to print the typeface chosen by the designer. To avoid printing mishaps, always make sure the printer or service bureau have the right font to print your chosen typeface.

Actual Bodoni type. Copyright 1999 Sumner Stone. All rights reserved.

ITC Smack, a typeface designed by Jill Bell.

Love type? Want to know more? Ilene Strizver conducts her acclaimed Gourmet Typography workshops internationally. For more information on attending one or bringing it to your company, organization, or school, go to her site, call The Type Studio at 203-227-5929, or email Ilene at info@thetypestudio.com. Sign up for her e-newsletter at www.thetypestudio.com.