Normally, I find this font boring. It was designed by Stanley Morrison in 1931 for the Times of London, to provide excellent readability for high-speed printing on low quality paper. I will acknowledge its power as a workhorse typeface. For print though, I prefer Caslon….but that’s beside the point of my post today.
What I did want to point out was the beauty of this typeface online and offline, under particular conditions. First, increase the size, then reduce the kerning (the proportional spacing between characters). Note: The ability to adjust kerning is available in desktop publishing software like Quark or InDesign (but not MS Word). For online, it is only available when using CSS. Lastly, it’s also available in Image editing software. I used Adobe Fireworks CS3 for the example shown below; the sizes are in 48, 58, and 90 (top to bottom), and kerned at -6.
One more thing about Times, if you use it in bold it will look hideous…but that’s just me.
Also online, for all general purposes you’re best off using the font Georgia. In some cases where a large typeface allows, Times may suit you better.
P.S. - I’m not claiming to be a pro typographer, it’s just one artistic interest. If I’m wrong somewhere or you have any recommendations, please leave me a comment below. Thanks!
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Thanks Robert for stopping by!