handjustification

Handjustification is a term sometimes used to describe the process of manually adjusting text to achieve a justified alignment. Justification in typography refers to the alignment of text so that both the left and right edges are flush with the margin. This is typically achieved by distributing space between words and, in some cases, characters.

When software automatically justifies text, it uses algorithms to determine the optimal spacing. Handjustification implies that a human operator is making these spacing adjustments directly. This might be done in traditional typesetting methods where the compositor physically arranges pieces of metal type and adjusts the space between them. In digital contexts, it could refer to a designer or editor meticulously tweaking word and letter spacing within a layout program to improve the visual appearance of justified text, especially in narrow columns where automatic justification can lead to unsightly "rivers" of white space.

The term is not widely standardized and may be used informally. The goal of handjustification, whether in a traditional or digital setting, is to create a more aesthetically pleasing and readable block of text by ensuring even spacing and avoiding the visual distortions that automatic justification can sometimes produce. This manual intervention requires a keen eye for detail and an understanding of typographic principles.