The flat platform on the top of a piece of metal type, located just below the raised printing face and its beveled edge. The shoulder provides physical support for the delicate letterform and creates built-in spacing between lines of text. The size of the shoulder dictates the minimum leading possible when type is set solid.
The descender on this lowercase y overhangs the shoulder slightly, so be careful not to snap it off.
Related terms
Beard
The sloped area of a piece of metal type between the raised face and the flat shoulder.
Body
The solid rectangular shank of a piece of metal type that supports the printing face.
Type-high
The exact standard height of printing type from its base to its printing surface.
Typeface
A specific, cohesive design of lettering that includes an entire set of characters.