Tracking in typography refers to the uniform adjustment of spacing between characters across a block of text, also known as letter-spacing. It's distinct from kerning, which adjusts the spacing between specific pairs of letters.
Understanding Tracking
Tracking involves increasing or decreasing the space between all characters in a selected block of text. This affects the overall density and visual appearance of the text. Unlike kerning, which focuses on specific letter pairings, tracking applies a consistent spacing adjustment across the entire selection.
Key Aspects of Tracking:
- Uniform Adjustment: Tracking applies the same spacing change to all character pairs within the selected text.
- Block-Level Application: It's typically used to adjust the overall "color" or density of a paragraph or section of text.
- Affects Readability: Adjusting tracking can significantly impact readability, making text either easier or more difficult to read.
- Subtle Changes, Significant Impact: Even small adjustments to tracking can have a noticeable effect on the appearance of the text.
Tracking vs. Kerning
| Feature | Tracking | Kerning |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Entire block of text | Specific letter pairs |
| Adjustment | Uniform spacing adjustment | Individual spacing adjustments |
| Purpose | Overall text density and readability | Fine-tuning appearance between letters |
| Example | Widening the space in a headline | Adjusting the space between "AV" in a logo |
Why Use Tracking?
Tracking is used for a variety of reasons:
- Improving Readability: Tight tracking can make long blocks of text more challenging to read. Adding some tracking can improve legibility.
- Creating Visual Hierarchy: In headlines or titles, tighter tracking can create a sense of importance and draw attention.
- Stylistic Effects: Tracking can be used to create a particular aesthetic, such as a modern, airy feel with increased tracking.
- Fitting Text: Adjusting tracking can help fit text into a specific area or column width.
- Correcting Font Issues: Some fonts may have inherent spacing issues that tracking can help mitigate.
Example Use Cases
- Headlines: Tightening tracking in a headline can make it bolder and more impactful.
- Body Text: Adjusting tracking in body text can improve readability, especially with smaller font sizes or dense layouts.
- Logos: Subtle tracking adjustments can improve the balance and visual appeal of a logo.
- Tables: Tracking can help align text within table cells.
In conclusion, tracking is a fundamental typographic tool that allows designers to fine-tune the overall appearance and readability of text by uniformly adjusting the spacing between characters. Understanding and effectively using tracking is crucial for creating visually appealing and professional-looking typography.
