DTP Layout & Typography Techniques 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the difference between 'display type' and 'body type' in a layout?
- Display type is set large for headlines/titles; body type is set small for reading long passages (Correct answer)
- Display type uses serif fonts; body type uses sans-serif fonts
- Display type appears only on the first page; body type fills remaining pages
- Display type is for digital use only; body type is for print only
Correct answer: Display type is set large for headlines/titles; body type is set small for reading long passages
Display type (typically 18pt+) is designed for attention-grabbing headlines, while body type (usually 8–12pt) is optimized for extended reading.
Question 2: In typography, what does 'x-height' refer to?
- The height of lowercase letters, typically measured by the letter 'x' (Correct answer)
- The height of uppercase letters
- The total height from ascender to descender
- The distance from the baseline to the cap line
Correct answer: The height of lowercase letters, typically measured by the letter 'x'
X-height is the height of lowercase letters (excluding ascenders and descenders) and strongly affects a typeface's perceived size and readability.
Question 3: A designer wants to create visual hierarchy on a page. Which combination is most effective?
- Varying font size, weight, and color to distinguish heading levels (Correct answer)
- Using only one font size throughout with different typefaces
- Setting all text in the same weight and relying on color alone
- Applying the same style to all elements for consistency
Correct answer: Varying font size, weight, and color to distinguish heading levels
Combining size, weight, and color creates clear hierarchy by giving the reader visual cues about the importance of each element.
Question 4: What is 'reverse type' (or reversed-out type) in desktop publishing?
- Light-colored text placed on a dark background (Correct answer)
- Text that reads right to left
- Mirrored text used for watermarks
- Text formatted with a strikethrough effect
Correct answer: Light-colored text placed on a dark background
Reverse type (knocked-out type) features light or white text against a dark background, creating contrast but requiring careful font weight selection.
Question 5: Which file format preserves vector graphics, fonts, and layout for high-resolution commercial printing?
- PDF/X (Correct answer)
- JPEG
- PNG
- GIF
Correct answer: PDF/X
PDF/X is an ISO standard PDF subset designed specifically for reliable, predictable color and prepress output in commercial printing.
Question 6: What is the function of a 'master page' (or parent page) in a page layout application?
- It stores repeating design elements like headers, footers, and page numbers applied across multiple pages (Correct answer)
- It serves as the first page of a document that all other pages link to
- It locks all objects so they cannot be accidentally moved
- It controls the color profiles for the entire document
Correct answer: It stores repeating design elements like headers, footers, and page numbers applied across multiple pages
Master pages hold recurring design elements so any change made to the master automatically updates all pages based on that master.
Question 7: What does 'leading' (rhymes with 'bedding') control in typographic layout?
- The vertical spacing between lines of text (Correct answer)
- The horizontal spacing between characters
- The indentation of the first line of a paragraph
- The size of drop capitals at the start of a section
Correct answer: The vertical spacing between lines of text
Leading is the distance from one baseline to the next and directly affects the readability and visual density of text.
DTP Layout & Typography Techniques 4
What is the difference between 'display type' and 'body type' in a layout?