kerningin

Kerningin is a term that refers to the process of adjusting the spacing between individual characters in a typeface. This adjustment is crucial for aesthetic and readability purposes, as the default spacing between letters, known as tracking, may not always be optimal for every letter combination. Inconsistent spacing can create visually distracting gaps or overlaps that hinder the flow of text and negatively impact the overall design of a piece.

The practice of kerning involves subtly increasing or decreasing the space between specific pairs of letters, such as "AV" or "To". These adjustments are often made based on the shapes of the characters involved. For example, letters with curved or angled strokes that extend outwards, like "O" and "T" or "W" and "A", often require tighter spacing to appear visually balanced with letters that have straighter or more compact forms.

While some typefaces come with pre-defined kerning pairs, often referred to as kerning tables, designers and typesetters frequently fine-tune these settings. This manual kerning process allows for precise control over the appearance of text, ensuring that it looks professional and is easy to read. Effective kerning contributes significantly to the visual harmony and legibility of printed materials, websites, and any other medium where text is displayed.