DTP Layout & Typography Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the term for the blank space between two adjacent columns of text in a multi-column layout?
- Gutter (Correct answer)
- Margin
- Bleed
- Folio
Correct answer: Gutter
The gutter is the space between columns that prevents text from running together and aids readability.
Question 2: Which typographic term describes the style of numerals that vary in height and descend below the baseline?
- Old-style figures (Correct answer)
- Lining figures
- Tabular figures
- Proportional figures
Correct answer: Old-style figures
Old-style figures (also called text figures) have varying heights and descenders, blending more naturally with lowercase text.
Question 3: A designer applies a 3mm bleed to a business card. What does this bleed ensure?
- Background colors extend past the trim line to prevent white edges after cutting (Correct answer)
- Text is kept away from the edges of the card
- The card prints with a white border
- The card dimensions are reduced by 3mm on each side
Correct answer: Background colors extend past the trim line to prevent white edges after cutting
Bleed extends design elements beyond the trim line so that slight cutting variations don't leave unintended white edges.
Question 4: What does 'tracking' control in typographic settings?
- Spacing between all characters uniformly across a range of text (Correct answer)
- Spacing between a specific pair of characters
- The space between lines of text
- The angle at which italic characters are slanted
Correct answer: Spacing between all characters uniformly across a range of text
Tracking adjusts letter-spacing uniformly across a selected range of text, affecting overall density and readability.
Question 5: In a grid-based layout, what is a 'baseline grid' primarily used for?
- Aligning text lines across columns so they appear consistent (Correct answer)
- Setting the top and bottom page margins
- Controlling the width of column gutters
- Defining the print bleed area
Correct answer: Aligning text lines across columns so they appear consistent
A baseline grid provides horizontal lines spaced to match the body text leading, ensuring cross-column text alignment.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes a 'widow' in page layout?
- A single word or short line left alone at the top of a new page or column (Correct answer)
- A single line left alone at the bottom of a page
- A paragraph that starts on the last line of a column
- An extra blank line between paragraphs
Correct answer: A single word or short line left alone at the top of a new page or column
A widow is an isolated short line or single word at the beginning of a new page or column, considered a typographic flaw.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a 'safe zone' (also called live area) in a print layout?
- To keep critical content away from edges where trimming or binding may cut it off (Correct answer)
- To mark the area that will be trimmed away after printing
- To define where bleed colors should extend
- To indicate where crop marks should be placed
Correct answer: To keep critical content away from edges where trimming or binding may cut it off
The safe zone (live area) is the inner boundary within which all important text and images should remain to avoid being trimmed off.
DTP Layout & Typography Techniques 2
What is the term for the blank space between two adjacent columns of text in a multi-column layout?