Word space values are usually expressed as minimum, optimum and maximum. Most typesetting software is instructed to achieve the optimum word space value. If this is not possible, the software will hyphenate words to keep within the minimum and maximum values allowed. If this doesn’t do the trick it will allow greater than the maximum word space value, or, if letter spacing is allowed, add letter space up to the maximum letter space limit.
Many factors affect the sensitive use of word spacing. One of the most common failings of inexperienced typesetters is to set all type with the same word spacing settings.
Ragged copy looks best with constant word space (all three word space values are set the same). This usually results in a fairly ragged rag. If a narrower rag is desired, more hyphenation can be allowed (or two-letter hyphens) or a small variation in word spacing. Large variations should be avoided.
When setting justified type, variation in word spacing must be allowed, although the ideal is to approach the optimum value when at all possible. Again, allowing more hyphenation reduces word space variations.
As the measure increases, the word spacing should increase, although less than in direct proportion to the increase in measure.
The greater the leading, the greater should be the word space, again not in direct proportion. The vertical space between lines set by leading wants to be complemented by an increase in the horizontal space that word space settings determine.
All caps, small caps or any type that has increased letter space looks better with additional word spacing.
The first example shows default word space, the second has added word space.
Expanded and condensed faces need more and less word space respectively, for the same reasons that they need more or less letter space.
The first example shows default word space, the second has increased word space.
The first example shows default word space, the second has reduced word space.
Small type needs additional word space, large type less. The eye cannot readily distinguish individual words in smaller sizes without extra space between them. In large display type the transition from word to word is apparent even with little word space. This is even more true when large copy is set with initial caps.
The first example shows default word space, the second has increased word space.
In this example, at 12 point, Bembo with default word space is OK.
