K

kern

A feature of a typeset character that extends beyond its bounding box. (In metal type, a kern extended beyond the edges of its printing block.) This allows these features (such as the hook of an f) to slightly overlap the characters set next to them, creating a more natural spacing between the two.

kern table

A list of kerning adjustments, built into a font, for specific letter pairs. The adjustments are expressed in fractions of an em.

kerning

Adjusting the space between two characters to compensate for their relative shapes. A lowercase letter set after a T, for example, will appear too far away because of all the white space under the crossbar of the T. Kerning these two characters closer together restores the more natural spacing rhythm found among the characters in the rest of the text. See also automatic kerning, manual kerning.

kerning character

A character designed with kerns, such as the fraction bar.

kerning pair

A pair of letters whose shapes cause them to need a kerning adjustment. The kerning table built into a font consists of a list of kerning pairs and the adjustments they need.

keyword

A principal entry in an index.

knockout

The opposite of overprinting. When type is knocked out of a background, a hole is created in the shape of the type, and the type is printed into this hole. Knockouts are often necessary when printing type in a color other than black. Printing type this way calls for precise registration on the press.