Tracking text

[robc41674700]

If I need to apply a tracking of 0.12 x the font size in InDesign, what value do I enter in the tracking field?

[Eugene Tyson]

Can you explain what you are doingn a bit more?

.12 x by what measurement?

If you need to you can just type in *.12 in the tracking field.

[robc41674700]

I need to apply tracking to some text setting that will be seen on the web.

Because it will be seen on the web, it needs to comply with web standard

WCAG 2.0, which dictates that tracking on font setting needs to be at least

0.12 times the font size. I am setting the font in an Adobe package for

this, and as I understand, Adobe uses the value of em for tracking text in

the value field. So my question was what value do I apply in the tracking

field to meet the 0.12 times font size?

Thanks

On Sat, Dec 15, 2018 at 10:43 AM Eugene Tyson <forums_noreply@adobe.com>

[jane-e]

robc41674700  wrote

I am setting the font in an Adobe package for this

Which Adobe package are you using? Can you post a link to that web standard?

[BobLevine]

The web? What exactly are you doing here?

InDesign is not a web authoring tool

[robc41674700]

The typesetting is for a logotype that will appear on the web. I have been

advised by the web developers that because the logo will appear on the web

its typesetting needs to comply with web usability standard WCAG 2.0. In

that guide it dictates that letter spacing / tracking needs to be set at

least 0.12 times the font size. From what I understand, Adobe packages use

1/1000 em for the value in the tracking field and that 1em equals the font

size. So if I entered a value of 1000 in the tracking field, that wold be

the same as the font size.

So if I need to apply 0.12 times the font size, that is 12% of 1em, so I

would need to apply a tracking of 120 in the field – but that creates way

too much letter spacing. So either my understanding of the conversion is

wrong, or the tracking that is being dictated by the usability standard is

ridiculous.

So my query on here was to see if anyone could clarify how they would

convert a tracking value of 0.12 times the font size as a value to be

entered in the tracking field within Adobe layout packages so that it is an

accurate conversion.

Thanks

[jane-e]

I found the guidelines, and they do have that very awkward wording.

https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/quickref/#text-spacing

https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/Understanding/text-spacing.html

My instinct is to use .12% In Justification for each style if you are using InDesign. The defaults are zero for all three, but they don't give a min/max. The goal seems to be that the user can change it themselves, and that you are adding some spacing. (I added numbers to min/max.)

Illustrator, where you cross-posted and is now locked, has the same settings in Justification.

If it is just a couple of words for a logo, it's okay to use tracking.

We do have a forum for Standards and Accessibility and can move this post if you want us to.

Standards & Accessibility (tagged PDF)

[robc41674700]

Thanks - yes if you could move the post to standards and accessibility that

might be good too. My understanding is that Adobe applications use 1/1000

em for the tacking value. And it is also my understanding that 1 em equals

what ever the font size is. So in theory if I entered a tracking value of

1000 in the field that would give me a value of 1 em which would be the

same tracking size as what ever the font size is. In which case, if I need

to apply 0.12 times the font size, that’s 12% of the font size for

tracking. So, in this case, if I apply 120 in the tracking field (12% of

1000) that should be 0.12 times the font size for tracking. But this makes

a ridiculous amount of tracking / letter spacing, it’s just too much. So

either my maths are completely wrong or what the standard is asking for is

crazy?

[BobLevine]

Seriously, I admire you for wanting to do this right, but AFAIC, for a logo, you are way overthinking this.

These standards are not intended for design elements.

[robc41674700]

I totaly agree, it’s completely crazy, but this particular web developer is

insisting it complies with this standard and he has convinced the client of

this too

[BobLevine]

Insanity. I do not envy you.

To be clear, I’m all for standards and accessibility but not for a logo.

[jane-e]

We can move this as you asked, Rob C.

But look at my second link again:

Understanding Success Criterion 1.4.12: Text Spacing

Here is the Intent and later it clearly says that it does not apply to images of text:

Intent

The intent of this Success Criterion (SC) is to ensure that people can override text spacing to improve their reading experience. Each of the requirements stipulated in the SC's four bullets helps ensure text styling can be adapted by the user to suit their needs.

This SC focuses on the ability to increase spacing between lines, words, letters, and paragraphs. Any combination of these may assist a user with effectively reading text. As well, ensuring users can override author settings for spacing also signficantly increases the likelihood other style preferences can be set by the user. For example, a user may need to change to a wider font family than the author has set in order to effectively read text.

[robc41674700]

Interesting point, in which case it wouldn’t affect the logo as the user

will not be able to adjust it - thanks so much for finding this, I’ll raise

this with the developers

[BobLevine]

So, this is for a logo? InDesign is not exactly the right tool for that and given that it’s going to be scaled up and down I personally don’t see the point in any of this.

If someone could clue me in on why a logo would be the subject of “web standards,” I’m all ears.

[Laubender]

Hi Bob,

yes. I'd probably prefer Illustrator for the logo work.

Also because one could create SVG files for the web from it easily.

Regards,
Uwe

[BobLevine]

Yup, but to be honest I’ve found SVG to be hit or miss.

[robc41674700]

I totaly agree with you but the web developer is insisting it complies with

this web usability standard. The logo has actually been created in

Illustrator but I posted it to InDesign too as the tracking values used for

both are the same.

Thanks

[Eugene Tyson]

The only place I see to change this default is here

[ericcarlson]

I believe that either you or the web developer is misreading the WCAG 2.1 specification. It does not say that the tracking must be at least 0.12 em. What it says is that, as part of a checklist you should use while testing for conformance, you must test with a value of at least this much to ensure that it does not conflict with other elements in the design (e.g., no text cut off and no text overlap). More specifically, it says that ‘no loss of content or functionality occurs by setting’ the tracking this high. This value is treated in the spec not as a normal value you should use but as an extreme value that a user might need and that should therefore be tested.