What is the difference between a font and a typeface?
In many picture books, the copyright page includes information about the typeface used for the text. For example, "Type set in 18-point Gill Sans Extra Bold."
Many people use "font" and "typeface" interchangeably, but there is a difference. A typeface is the name, such as Gills Sans, whereas font refers to the variety of sizes and weights of the typeface. Designers choose a typeface but use fonts to set the text in a picture book.
A good way to remember the difference is to think of it this way: font is to typeface as chapter to a book. A typeface is made up of fonts and a book is made up of chapters. To the right are fonts with different weights from the Gills Sans typeface, such as light, medium, and bold.
In many picture books, the copyright page includes information about the typeface used for the text. For example, "Type set in 18-point Gill Sans Extra Bold."
Many people use "font" and "typeface" interchangeably, but there is a difference. A typeface is the name, such as Gills Sans, whereas font refers to the variety of sizes and weights of the typeface. Designers choose a typeface but use fonts to set the text in a picture book.
A good way to remember the difference is to think of it this way: font is to typeface as chapter to a book. A typeface is made up of fonts and a book is made up of chapters. To the right are fonts with different weights from the Gills Sans typeface, such as light, medium, and bold.
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