page_56 < previous page page_56 next page > Page 56 9 Align Initial Letter and Text at Top and Bottom The top of the initial letter must align with the top of the ascending letters in the first text line. The base of the initial cap must align with the baseline of the last text line opposite it. This means you must select your text face and its line spacing with care, making sure your initial letter is the correct size. It's easy enough today to enlarge or reduce initials a hair to insure a perfect fit. This is an excellent example of how the initial letter should line up with the text. The initial letter aligns with the top of the first line of text and the base of the last line of text. 10 Set Text Lines to Fit Properly around Initial Letter The first text line following an initial letter must butt snugly against the initial. This provides a clean top line and leads the reader's eye into the text smoothly. The spacing is especially important if the initial is a cap A, for example. Here's the rule for insuring that the balance of your text lines fit properly: Leave as much space next to the initial as the space between its base and the ascenders of the text line below. When an initial letter is separated from the text by two picas, as in this illustration, you can readily understand the importance of making sure the first text line butts snugly against the initial. See how much more smoothly the text reads in the second example.  < previous page page_56 next page >