Contents
Introduction
If you’ve ever heard the term “em as in printing” and wondered what it really means, you’re not alone. It sounds like a small thing, but it has a big history in the world of typography. The “em” has been around since the earliest days of printing, and even today, it plays an important role in how we size, space, and align text in both print and digital design.
In this guide, we’ll break down what an em actually is, how it came to be, and why designers, printers, and even web developers still use it. We’ll keep it simple, clear, and fun — no complicated jargon, just easy explanations and real examples. By the end, you’ll understand exactly how the em works and how it affects the words you read every day.
What Does “Em” Mean in Printing?
In traditional printing, the term “em” refers to a unit of measurement used in typography. It originally came from the width of the letter “M” in a given typeface. That’s why it’s called an “em.” Back in the days of metal type, each letter was cast on a small block of metal. The width of the capital “M” was roughly equal to the size of the type, so printers used it as a standard unit for spacing and layout.
For example, if you were working with 12-point type, one em would equal 12 points. So, an em space would be as wide as the height of the type itself. This made it a flexible and universal way to measure things like margins, indents, and letter spacing.
The History of the Em in Traditional Printing
The em dates back to the earliest days of movable type in the 15th century. Printers like Johannes Gutenberg needed a consistent system to measure letters and spaces. The em quickly became that standard. It was simple: the em matched the point size of the type. So, a 10-point font had an em that was 10 points wide.
This made design consistent across pages and printers. When typesetters said something was an “em dash,” everyone knew exactly how long that dash should be. The em helped align columns, justify text, and create visually pleasing layouts. Even centuries later, digital typography still uses the same basic principle.
Understanding Em in Modern Typography
Today, we still use the em — not just in printing, but also in web design and digital typesetting. However, it’s now a relative measurement rather than a physical one. In digital terms, one em equals the current font size.
So, if your text is set to 16 pixels, 1em equals 16 pixels. If you make the font larger or smaller, the em adjusts automatically. That flexibility makes it a favorite among designers who want their layouts to scale smoothly across different screen sizes.
Whether you’re setting margins, line spacing, or indents, using em units helps your design stay consistent no matter where it’s viewed.
How the Em Differs from the En
When learning about em as in printing, you’ll also come across another unit: the en. An en is half the width of an em. If your em is 12 points, your en is 6 points.
The en is most commonly used for punctuation, like the en dash (–), which is shorter than the em dash (—) but longer than a regular hyphen (-). These tiny differences in length can change how text looks and feels. The em dash is often used to make dramatic pauses, while the en dash connects ranges, such as “2010–2020.”
In printing, these small spacing details make text more readable and professional.
The Em in Web Design and CSS
In web design, em as in printing has evolved into a responsive design tool. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) uses em units to define font sizes, padding, margins, and spacing.
If your paragraph font is 16 pixels, that means the margin will automatically be 24 pixels (1.5 times the font size). This allows web pages to scale naturally when viewed on phones, tablets, or desktops.
Designers love em units because they keep text proportionate, accessible, and flexible. Unlike fixed pixel units, ems grow or shrink with the base font, improving readability on every device.
Common Terms Related to Em in Printing
When you hear em as in printing, it often appears with other typography terms like:
- Em space: A blank space equal to one em.
- Em dash (—): A long dash used to separate ideas or add emphasis.
- Em box: The invisible square that surrounds a character in a font.
- Em height: The total height of a typeface design space.
These all come from the same root idea — the em as a flexible, proportional unit. Once you understand it, reading and designing text becomes much easier.
Why the Em Still Matters Today
Even though printing has mostly gone digital, em as in printing remains crucial. It connects old printing traditions with modern digital design. The em allows designers to maintain harmony and rhythm in their layouts. It ensures text is balanced and easy to read.
In print design, ems help set consistent paragraph indents, margins, and letter spacing. In web design, they make text scale beautifully on all screens. The em bridges the gap between the art of printing and the science of coding.
Simply put, the em is small but mighty — a timeless tool that keeps text elegant and functional.
Examples of the Em in Everyday Use
You may not notice it, but em as in printing shapes much of what you read. Here are a few real-world examples:
- The space before a paragraph is often one em wide.
- Professional typesetters use an em dash (—) for strong breaks.
- Web designers set paragraph margins in ems for responsive scaling.
- Book publishers use em-based spacing to keep page layouts consistent.
These invisible em units quietly organize text behind the scenes. They make sure your favorite novels, websites, and articles are readable and beautifully balanced.
How to Calculate Em Values in Design
If you work with fonts or layouts, you’ll often need to calculate em values. Here’s how:
- 1em = the font size of the element.
- 0.5em = half the font size.
- 2em = twice the font size.
So, if your base font size is 16px:
- 1em = 16px
- 0.5em = 8px
- 2em = 32px
Designers use these conversions to keep consistent proportions across different screen sizes. It’s a simple math trick that ensures everything looks right no matter what device you use.
Comparing Em to Other Typography Units
Besides em as in printing, other measurement units include points (pt), pixels (px), percent (%), and rem (root em). Points are fixed physical sizes, while pixels depend on screen resolution. Percent and rem are relative units like em, but they behave slightly differently.
For example, rem is always based on the root font size, while em depends on the current element’s font size. This gives designers more flexibility — or more control, depending on which they choose.
Knowing when to use each unit is part of the craft of great design.
Why Beginners Should Learn About the Em
Learning em as in printing gives beginners a solid foundation in typography and web design. It teaches how text spacing works and why consistency matters. Whether you’re designing a poster, formatting a document, or coding a website, understanding ems helps you make better choices.
When you use ems correctly, your designs feel balanced and professional. You can scale layouts easily and create text that looks great everywhere. Even if you’re not a designer, learning about ems gives you a new appreciation for the details that make words beautiful on the page.
Practical Tips for Using Em Units Effectively
Here are some easy tips for working with em as in printing:
- Start small: Use 1em as your base and adjust upward or downward.
- Stay consistent: Use the same scale for margins, padding, and spacing.
- Test readability: Check your text on different devices or paper sizes.
- Combine units carefully: Don’t mix ems and pixels randomly.
- Keep accessibility in mind: Ems help text resize properly for all users.
These habits make your projects both stylish and functional.
The Future of Em in Design and Printing
The em isn’t going anywhere. As design tools evolve, the em remains a bridge between print and digital media. New typography engines in web browsers and design software still rely on em measurements to maintain clean, readable layouts.
In the future, as screens get sharper and fonts more dynamic, ems will stay vital. They help ensure text remains proportional, no matter what device or medium you use. The humble em — born in the age of printing presses — continues to shape our modern reading experience.
FAQ 1 — What does “em as in printing” mean?
It refers to a unit of measurement in typography equal to the current font size. It originally came from the width of the letter “M” in traditional printing.
FAQ 2 — How is an em different from an en?
An en is half the width of an em. For example, if one em equals 12 points, one en equals 6 points.
FAQ 3 — Why is the em important in design?
It ensures consistent spacing, scaling, and layout across printed and digital text. It helps designers maintain visual balance.
FAQ 4 — What is an em dash?
An em dash (—) is a punctuation mark roughly one em long. It’s used to indicate pauses or strong breaks in sentences.
FAQ 5 — How do I use ems in CSS?
Use ems for font sizes, margins, or padding in your CSS code. The em value adjusts based on the font size of the element, making your design responsive.
FAQ 6 — Is the em still used in modern printing?
Yes! Even in digital publishing, em units remain standard for spacing, indents, and type layout, keeping print traditions alive.
Conclusion
The story of em as in printing shows how one small measurement helped shape centuries of design. From metal type blocks to digital code, the em remains the foundation of how text is measured, spaced, and styled.
Understanding it gives you more control over your layouts and makes you a better designer, writer, or printer. The em connects history with modern technology — proving that good design never goes out of style.
If you’d like, I can also help you write a short glossary of typography terms or a beginner’s guide to spacing units. Would you like me to create that next?
