The Pros and Cons of Justified Type

When setting type either in print or online, there are many considerations designers need to make. What kind of typeface to use, what line width, how much space to put between paragraphs and lines? Justified type is only one of many choices.

Don’t Just Push a Button

The term “justified type” means that both sides are straight. When you rely on the computer to justify text, you will most likely end up with large chunks of white space that are distracting to the reader. In addition, there can often be too many words on one line and not enough on another. A professional designer must manipulate justified type by hand for the best, most readable finished product.

The Pros and Cons of Justified Type

Justified type is often used because it appears crisp and tidy, and it can easily support an overall design because it is so symmetrical in appearance. In addition, it sometimes allows for more copy to fit in a space. Justified type can be highly readable and aesthetically pleasing.

However, if you are filling narrow parts of a design with justified type, you might end up with a spotty and sparse finished product. When there is a very narrow space being filled, you can end up with rivers of white space and too many hyphens. In these cases, it is best to use another solution such as justified left, ragged right.

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