Small caps

Small Caps

Small caps, or small capital letters, are a typographic style where lowercase letters are replaced with uppercase letters that are reduced in size to match the x-height of the typeface. This style is often used in typesetting to create a more uniform appearance in text, especially in acronyms, headings, and titles.

History

The use of small caps dates back to the early days of printing. They were originally used in the 16th century to emphasize certain parts of the text without disrupting the flow of the main body. Small caps became a standard feature in many typefaces during the Renaissance, as printers sought ways to add variety and emphasis to their work.

Usage

Small caps are commonly used in:

• Acronyms and Initialisms: To distinguish acronyms from regular words, small caps can be used to make them stand out without overpowering the surrounding text. For example, "NASA" might be set in small caps to maintain visual harmony.

• Headings and Subheadings: Small caps can be used in headings to create a subtle emphasis that is less stark than full uppercase letters.

• Legal and Financial Documents: In legal and financial documents, small caps are often used to highlight specific terms or sections, providing emphasis while maintaining readability.

• Book Covers and Titles: Designers often use small caps on book covers and titles to create a classic and elegant look.

Typography

Small caps are typically designed as part of a typeface and are not simply scaled-down versions of full-size capital letters. They are crafted to match the weight and proportion of the lowercase letters, ensuring consistency and readability.

True Small Caps vs. Fake Small Caps

• True Small Caps: These are specifically designed as part of a typeface and maintain the correct weight and proportion relative to the lowercase letters.
• Fake Small Caps: These are created by scaling down full-size capital letters, which can result in mismatched weights and proportions, leading to a less professional appearance.

Implementing Small Caps

In digital typesetting, small caps can be implemented using CSS or LaTeX. For example, in CSS, the `font-variant` property can be used:

```css p {

 font-variant: small-caps;

} ```

In LaTeX, the `\textsc{}` command is used to apply small caps to text:

```latex \textsc{Small Caps Example} ```

Considerations

When using small caps, it is important to ensure that the typeface supports true small caps. Not all fonts include this feature, and using fake small caps can detract from the overall design quality.

Also see

• Typography
• Typeface
• Capitalization
• Font
• Typesetting