Type Sample Specs

Here are the specifications and instructions for those wishing to contribute a type sample to the collection on Aaron’s Publishing Page.

First download the sample text in RTF format at www.aaronshep.com/publishing/sample.rtf. This text is from a copyrighted article by Aaron, but you may use it freely to create your sample.

Import the text into your chosen program and format it to these specifications:

Page size: 6 x 9 inches
Margins, top and bottom: 1 inch
Margins, side: 3/4 inch
Headers and footers: None
Line length: 4.5 inch
First-line indent: 3/8 inch (optional on first paragraph)
Font: 12-point Palatino or clone
Leading: 15 points
Justification: On
Hyphenation: On

With settings and functions not mentioned, do whatever you want and your program allows to improve the text. The object is to show each program at its best, in order to indicate its potential rather than its default output.

The sample text should begin at the top margin. Below that text, separate and in any type and format you choose, please supply the following information, all on the same page as the sample text and within the margins:

Program and version
Operating system and version
Your name
Date
Anything else -- remarks on settings, contact info, plugs for services

The sample must be submitted as a single-page PDF file with fonts embedded. The following specifications are preferred:

Predefined job options or conversion settings: Print
Page size: 6 x 9 inches
Compression: Text and line art
Font subsetting: 100% (or 99% for Acrobat 3)

Please contact Aaron with the location of your file for download, or to request an email address for sending the file by attachment. By submitting your sample, you are granting Aaron non-exclusive permission to post the sample online. And you are free to use it elsewhere, with Aaron’s text.

Aaron hopes to post any sample that follows the stated specs, but a sample might be rejected if it shows nothing new or is marred by typesetter error or oversight. If in doubt whether your sample would be welcome, feel free to contact Aaron.