Does anyone know whether there is a standard typeface in Microsoft Word that simulates traditional typewriter type? The only one that occurs to me off the top of my head is Courier, but that doesn’t really look typewriterish enough in my view.
It’s not a Word issue, you just need a typewriterish font loaded onto your computer. Google for typewriter font. Here is one site: http://simplythebest.net/fonts/typewriter_fonts.html
Courier (and Courier New) are probably about as close as you will come to a typewriter font, unless you can download a different one from somewhere else.
One thing that makes it “typewriterish” is that it is a monospaced font, rather than proportionally spaced. This means that an “i” takes up just as much space as an “M”.
It pretty much duplicates the IBM Selectric typewriter using (of all things) a Courier type ball. If you want something that looks more like an old manual typewriter, with uneven strokes and worn letters, you’ll have to find something different.
ETA: Like the ones DanBlather has linked to.
Thanks!
On my Microsoft Office for Mac, it has an “American Typewriter” font that looks more typewriterish to me than Courier.
There was never a “standard” design for typewriter typefaces. Each manufacturer, and often each typewriter model, had its own design. The only requirement was that it was monospaced. Both Courier and American Typewriter are legitimate typewriter fonts, among many others.
You might check out Comic Book Fonts to see if they have anything like you’re looking for.
There is a font called Trixie, made by LettError which simulates an old fashioned typewriter with a bad ribbon, even. It’s not free, but if you only need one or two styles/weights, it’s not so bad. You can see what it looks like at The FontShop.
None of those are monospaced, and traditional typewriter fonts always are.
Thanks for all the info.
Okay, but I don’t think I suggested there was. I just said that Courier doesn’t give me enough of a typewriterish feel.
Planning to type up some Air National Guard memos, are you?
Yeah, heh. More a bit of nostalgia. I’m working on a piece and I thought I might inspire myself by making it look like a traditional typed manuscript. Anyone know of a free font based on Royal or Smith-Corona type?
A true typewiter simulation would include irregularities in the characters: some with slight misalignment, perhaps some letters filled in, from ink buildup. There are fonts like this, but I can’t think of any offhand.
Actually, several of the typefaces in Dan Blather’s link seem to include such irregularities.
Are you trying to insinuate something?
The username and the subject matter made for a funny moment for me there.
YMMV.
I’ve often wondered why it is necessary for expensive computer and software applications to accurately depict a 1930’s Underwood. What’s the point??
That went by me, so thanks for pointing it out, Mr. Moto. It is pretty funny.
Same reason you use one to turn out something that looks like a wanted poster from the Wild West, or James Lileks uses 40s and 50s motifs to jazz up his website.
Computers are great tools for graphic design.