Transform Your Fonts: How to Change Kerning in Illustrator Today

Kerning, the adjustment of space between individual letters, is a crucial element in typography that can drastically impact the readability and aesthetic appeal of your designs. In Adobe Illustrator, you have a range of tools and techniques at your disposal to fine-tune kerning and achieve visually harmonious text. This blog post will guide you through the process of how to change kerning in Illustrator, covering everything from basic adjustments to advanced techniques.

Understanding Kerning Basics

Before diving into the practical aspects, let’s clarify what kerning is and why it’s so important. Kerning involves adjusting the spacing between specific letter pairs to enhance visual balance and readability. Imagine a word like “AW” where the “A” and “W” sit too close together. By increasing the space between them, you create a more visually pleasing and legible arrangement.
There are two main types of kerning:

• Pair Kerning: This involves adjusting the space between specific letter pairs, like “AW” or “To.”
• Optical Kerning: This automatically adjusts spacing based on the shape of individual letters. It’s a more holistic approach that considers the overall flow of the text.

How to Change Kerning in Illustrator: The Basics

Illustrator provides several ways to adjust kerning, each with its own advantages:

1. Using the Character Panel

The Character panel is your go-to tool for basic kerning adjustments.

• Open the Character Panel: Go to Window > Type > Character.
• Adjust Kerning: You can use the Kerning slider to increase or decrease the space between letters. The slider is measured in points (pt).
• Pair Kerning: If you need to adjust the space between specific letter pairs, click the Kerning icon (looks like a small “A” with a space next to it), then type the letters you want to adjust.

2. Using the Control Panel

The Control panel offers a quick way to adjust kerning on the fly.

• Select Text: Select the text you want to adjust.
• Use the Control Panel: The Control panel is usually located at the top of the Illustrator window. You’ll find the Kerning option in the panel, where you can adjust the spacing using the slider or by typing in a specific value.

Advanced Kerning Techniques

For more precise control over kerning, Illustrator offers advanced techniques:

1. Kerning with the Glyphs Panel

The Glyphs Panel provides an in-depth view of individual characters and their kerning pairs.

• Open the Glyphs Panel: Go to Window > Type > Glyphs.
• Select a Character: Select the character you wish to adjust.
• Adjust Kerning Pairs: The Glyphs Panel displays a list of kerning pairs for the selected character. You can double-click on a pair to adjust the spacing.

2. Kerning with the Type Tool

You can also adjust kerning directly using the Type Tool.

• Select the Type Tool: Select the Type Tool from the Toolbar.
• Adjust Kerning: Click and drag between letters to adjust the spacing.

Tips for Effective Kerning

• Start with Optical Kerning: Illustrator’s optical kerning feature is a great starting point for most text.
• Focus on Problem Areas: Pay attention to letter pairs that tend to clash, such as “AW,” “To,” and “VA.”
• Experiment with Different Kerning Values: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different kerning values to find what looks best.
• Consider the Overall Design: Think about how kerning affects the overall layout and design of your project.

Beyond Basic Kerning: Tracking and Leading

While kerning focuses on individual letter pairs, tracking adjusts the spacing between all the characters in a line of text. Think of it as a more global adjustment. You can access the Tracking option in the Character Panel or Control Panel.
Leading refers to the space between lines of text. It’s another important element that impacts readability and visual appeal. You can adjust leading in the Character Panel or Control Panel.

Mastering Kerning for Professional Results

Kerning is a subtle but powerful tool that can elevate your typography from ordinary to extraordinary. By mastering the techniques outlined in this blog post, you’ll be able to create visually appealing text that’s both legible and aesthetically pleasing. Remember, practice makes perfect. Experiment with different kerning values and techniques to develop your own unique style.

The Final Word: Embracing the Art of Typography

As you delve deeper into the world of typography, you’ll discover that kerning is just one piece of the puzzle. It’s essential to consider factors like font choice, font weight, and line length to create truly compelling text. Remember, typography is an art form. Embrace the process of experimentation and refinement as you strive for excellence in your designs.

Common Questions and Answers

Q1: What is the difference between kerning and tracking?
A: Kerning adjusts the space between specific letter pairs, while tracking adjusts the overall spacing between all characters in a line of text.
Q2: When should I use kerning?
A: Kerning is crucial for any text where you want to enhance readability and visual appeal. It’s particularly important for headlines, logos, and other text where the spacing between letters is noticeable.
Q3: Is there a default kerning setting in Illustrator?
A: Yes, Illustrator’s default kerning setting is “Metrics,” which uses the built-in kerning information for each font. However, you can adjust this setting and experiment with different kerning values.
Q4: How can I learn more about typography?
A: There are many resources available online and in libraries to learn more about typography. You can explore websites like Fonts In Use, Typewolf, and Creative Bloq. You can also find excellent books on typography, such as “The Elements of Typographic Style” by Robert Bringhurst.