The Overlooked Leading in Typography

Intro

Leading, as a typography element in graphic design, measured in the same unit as font size – point(pt) precisely. As one of the specifications in typesetting, leading is subjected to be adjusted for better reading experience for a unique layout. Same with other design elements like color and typeface, there is no solid guideline to define a perfect setting on leading. Also, it is worth to note that leading is aim on content text, not for display text which can go much further with a magic touch from designers like Herb Lubalin.

Leading types

Leading is setting on the distance between two adjoining baselines. The term came from the process in type setting when strips of lead were used to adjust space between lines of type from the past, when there was more hand-on processes with machinery.

Three styles of leading are defined by their settings comparing to the type sizes. They are positive, negative and solid leadings.

Some designers call positive leading open leading, this style happens when the leading applied is more than the font size. Positive leadings are good for content text. It helps improving readability and controlling type color. However, if it goes too far, texts with big positive leading will be hard for the readers to follow the texts’ continuity, which will cause fatigues and put a dent on readability.

When leading applied is smaller than the font size, it is called negative leading. Negative leading is a preference for the headings and capital types. There is less words in headings in most cases, which means less chances on ascendent and descendent overlapping. On the opposite, it is not a good idea to use negative leading in content text. There, negative space can cause the words cramped or camouflages their shapes, recognition reduce. It is not suggested for good reading legibility.

The concept of solid leading might sound weird to designers. When the leading is set to the same as the point size of the type, that is solid leading. The dissatisfied part of this leading is that there is no extra space between baselines, which might be end up with less room for the words to breathe, similar issues happened to the negative leadings.

Leading feature

Although it is easy to be overlooked, but the leading feature should never be underestimated. Leading direct the reading direction and helps eyes scanning. It can also be used to adjust the reading speed, and maintain the reading rhythm. Its variation in typesetting can enhance the hierarchy decisions as well.

Ideal leading

In most of the layout programs, leading does come with the auto option in default setting with each type size, which is 120 percent of the type size. This scale is said to provide the maximum readability. For example, 10 pt Minion Pro comes with 12 pt of leading while 12 pt comes with 14.4 pt of leading.

However, there is no perfect formula to set the leading for every layout. Tight leading leads to unity but can buries baselines, while loose leading slows reading time. It is important to keep the leading consistent on each design(print or screen). Like limiting the number of typeface used, the consistency on leading can be helpful to bring in a sense of wholeness on texts.

Check on the types, pay attention to the overall look of the design, then fix the problem you can find. After all, experience it, and learn from it.