Comments on: Tips for Creating Big Stature With Small Caps

By: Berthold

Berthold — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:43:59 +0000

Thank you for these insights.

I’d just like to disagree with your initial statement about small caps guaranteeing a classy look. Indeed, improper use of small caps is one of the fastest ways down the drain I have ever witnessed. I have an example right here, which looks jarring with its uneven weight, close tracking and excessive leading. Makes me want to grind my teeth just by looking at it.

Obey these rules people, I beg you!

By: ChrisR

ChrisR — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:59:57 +0000

Personally, I’ve never liked using small caps in title case (meaning, initial letters are larger small caps); to me, it looks really horse-y to have initial caps of small caps words.

By: Bartosz Oczujda

Bartosz Oczujda — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:50:56 +0000

Great post, but I feel there is something missing.

You didn’t mention that some fonts have small caps characters pre-made. And that some typefaces are intended to be used exclusively as small caps (like Trajan).

By: Kent

Kent — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:55:15 +0000

Those are definitely some good looking examples.

By: Las Vegas Printing Companies

Las Vegas Printing Companies — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:29:48 +0000

Great in-depth review on typography. It seems a lot of people struggle with proper weights and rhythm, which can really throw-off an otherwise nicely designed piece. I agree with Froy!

By: Rawdon

Rawdon — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:12:08 +0000

Not a chance Ben. I leave the clever stuff to guys like you. Just wanted to draw your attention to said point. To clarify, your article is most helpful and appreciated by all – my observations should not, in any way, be seen as to detract from that.

By: Ben Gremillion

Ben Gremillion — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:40:40 +0000

That’s a good point. I chose the typefaces in these examples for several reasons. First, the small caps technique was easier to present accurately with images. In spite of CSS3′s support for SC and font services like Typekit, I could only achieve the precision required in a graphic.

Also, while I did mention the web (and this is a web blog), I decided the technique was more important than the technology. If someone wants to make it happen, he or she can apply these principles anywhere.

Finally, I couldn’t get Arial and Helvetica to look decent in HTML/CSS. Arial regular/bold doesn’t have enough finesse and not everyone has the appropriate weights of Helvetica.

Having said that, if you can make it work without images, please post a link. I’d like to see your technique.

By: Froy

Froy — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:15:50 +0000

Mastering typography is a challenge there is so much to learn, but as a professional designer both for print and on line knowing how to use typography well is a must.

Great article…

By: Darkened Soul

Darkened Soul — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:52:03 +0000

shows I still have to read up on typography, thanks for the post

By: Ben Gremillion

Ben Gremillion — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:19:20 +0000

One point I didn’t emphasize was knowing when to not use small caps. I agree with your idea of small caps not working in a paragraph for two reasons. First, as you said, body copy-sized capitals are too small to display well. Second, imho, SC is overkill for whole paragraphs. The more it’s used, the less special it is.

I haven’t tried Futura. Let me check… Woah, that ain’t right.