The finest, most delicate line forming part of a letterform, often connecting thicker stems or forming the unbracketed portion of a serif. In high-contrast typefaces like Didot or Bodoni, these strokes are cast extremely thin to create dramatic visual tension. Press operators must carefully monitor ink density and impression pressure, as these fine lines are the first elements to break up or vanish if the press is under-inked.
Heard on the job
Watch your impression on the black unit, we're losing the hair strokes on the display type.
Insider tip
High-contrast typefaces with extreme hair strokes require very smooth coated paper to print cleanly without breaking up.
Also heard as
- hairline