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Graphic Design vocabulary · Typography

Ink trap

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

nounAdvanced term

In graphic design, ink trap means: A cutaway in a letterform that allows room for ink spreading at tight joins.

In Turkish: mürekkep kapanı

How it is used

Use for deliberate cutaways; enlarged traps may also be a stylistic feature.

Example sentences

  1. The ink traps remain visible in the enlarged wordmark.

    A functional cutaway becomes a conspicuous detail at a larger scale.

  2. Ink traps helped the dense lettering survive the rough paper test.

    Space at tight joins reduces the risk of dark congested corners.

Common collocations

  • deep ink traps
  • ink trap design
  • legibilityHow easily individual letters and words can be recognised, which depends on the typeface design, size, contrast and viewing conditions.
  • typefaceA particular design of letters, numbers and symbols that share the same style, such as Helvetica, Garamond or Futura, usually available in several weights and styles.

More terms: Typography

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