What is a serif?
Q: What is a serif?
A: A serif is a tiny decorative line on the ends of letter's 'limbs' in typography.
Q: What is the difference between serif and sans-serif?
A: Alphabetic typefaces either have serifs or not. Those without are called sans-serif faces.
Q: When did the design of typefaces start?
A: The design of our typefaces started in the 15th century, when the early printers used moulds from which letters made of lead were produced.
Q: What were the original sources of the serif?
A: The original source of the serif may be in monumental inscriptions such as the letters at the base of Trajan's column built in 107~113 AD.
Q: What is the term used to describe typefaces with serifs in older literature?
A: The term used to describe typefaces with serifs in older literature is "Roman."
Q: What other issues do type designers deal with besides the serif/sans-serif feature?
A: Type designers have to deal with a large number of issues besides the serif/sans-serif feature which include the size, spacing, and shape of the letters.
Q: When was the word "serif" first used?
A: The word "serif" seems to be an early 19th century innovation.
