Evenly Spaced Text in Photoshop: A Guide to Typography and Graphic Design
Applying evenly spaced text in Adobe Photoshop is a crucial skill for anyone involved in graphic design or text-based projects. Understanding the core principles of typography, including the differences between kerning and tracking, can elevate a design from simple to stunning. This guide will walk you through the steps of achieving evenly spaced text in Photoshop, ensuring your text is both readable and aesthetically pleasing.
Understanding Kerning and Tracking
In most Adobe applications, including Photoshop, achieving evenly spaced text requires a combination of adjustments known as kerning and tracking. Kerning specifically refers to the adjustment of space between individual pairs of letters. This fine-tuning can make a significant difference in the overall look of your text. On the other hand, tracking, also known as letter-spacing, involves adjusting the space between all characters in a word or phrase uniformly.
Adjusting Kerning and Tracking in Photoshop
Start by opening your design in Photoshop and selecting the text layer. You can use the text tool (T) to work directly with the text. Here’s a step-by-step guide to adjusting your text:
Select the text you want to adjust.
Use the right (Cmd/Control Right arrow) or left (Cmd/Control Left arrow) arrow keys for kerning if your keyboard supports it. In other cases, you may need to use the Character panel for more precise control.
Using the Character panel: Click on the Type tool (T) and navigate to the Character panel (Window > Character). Here, you can precisely adjust the kerning and tracking of your text. For kerning, use the specific pairs of letters and make adjustments accordingly. For tracking, use the 'Tracking' slider to adjust the overall spacing.
Adjusting Letter Spacing for Readability and Aesthetics
While kerning and tracking are essential, the overall evenness of your text is vital for readability and aesthetic appeal. As the letter size increases, these adjustments become more noticeable and critical.
Begin at 18pt: Often, starting at 18pt is a good baseline as it allows for the initial assessment of your text. At this size, you can start to see how the letters balance against one another.
Balance is Key: The space between letters should be visually balanced, taking into consideration the unique forms of different letters. For example, "WI" may require more space than "WA" due to the prominence of the vertical lines.
Use the Squint Test: To ensure proper balance, squint your eyes at the word or phrase. This technique helps you see the overall spacing and makes it easier to spot any irregularities. Adjust as needed to achieve a harmonious look.
Conclusion
Evenly spacing text in Photoshop is a skill that can transform ordinary designs into masterpieces. By mastering kerning, tracking, and overall spacing, you can ensure that your text is not only readable but also visually appealing. The process may require multiple adjustments, but with practice, you’ll be able to create text that stands out in any design project.