What on earth is this strange thing called "Kerning" and how do I use it?

Kerning is a term that relates to adjusting the size of width between letters. Kerning can be used to manipulate a typeface to create your own style or to create extra meaning for your words.

Kerning can be used in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. It is a fantastic tool to manipulate text. Though it is an interesting tool to use, it should not be overused on your writing just because you know how to use it. Rather, kerning should be used as a design concept. Font makers spend months on creating the correct positioning between letters so it is important not to over do all their hard work.

As previously mentioned, different types of kerning can create extra meaning for your writing, for example;

Creating a tight and cramped word using kerning can create the illusion of a sharp, bold and serious word. This technique could be used for a poster or cover for a horror movie for example.

Creating a loose word using kerning can create an easy going and free feelings. This could be used on a poster for a tropical island perhaps.

How to Kern

Once you have written your word, place your cursor between two letters, such as the H and the A in the word Handglovery. Whilst holding down the ALT key, using the left and right arrow keys to adjust the width of the letters.

Once you know this trick, it is always fun to play around with it! Finally there is a way to fix the odd and sometime too wide distance between letters.


ENJOY!