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Graphic Design vocabulary · Typography

Body copy

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

/ˈbɑːdi ˌkɑːpi/nounCommon term

In graphic design, body copy means: The main, longer text of a design, such as paragraphs in a brochure or article, as opposed to headlines, captions and other short text.

In Turkish: gövde metni, ana metin, metin

How it is used

Used in agencies and studios, especially by designers and copywriters. Body copy is set at a readable size, often 9–12 pt in print. Also called body text; ‘copy’ alone means any written text in a design.

Example sentences

  1. We're still waiting for the final body copy, so I've used placeholder text in the layout.

  2. The body copy is set in 10 pt on 14 pt leading.

Common collocations

  • set the body copy
  • body copy size
  • final copy
  • write body copy
  • headlineThe main line of large text at the top of an advert, article, poster or web page, written and designed to catch attention first.
  • leadingThe vertical distance between lines of text, measured from one baseline to the next. The name comes from strips of lead that printers once placed between lines of metal type.
  • legibilityHow easily individual letters and words can be recognised, which depends on the typeface design, size, contrast and viewing conditions.
  • widowA very short last line of a paragraph left alone, especially at the top of a new column or page, which looks untidy and breaks the reading flow.

More terms: Typography

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