A ligature is a device used to join two or more characters together in a single glyph, without introducing any extra space. Ligatures usually serve one of two purposes: to make a character more visually distinct from the others around it, or to join two otherwise unconnected characters. The latter type of ligature is more common in scripts that use a connected, cursive writing style. The most common ligatures in English are “fi”, “ff”, “fl”, “ffi”, and “ffl”, but there are many others.
Ligatures were once common in hand-lettered and printed books, but fell out of use in the early days of movable type. They were seen as unnecessary additions that could slow down the typesetting process. However, with the advent of digital typefaces, ligatures have made a comeback in both display and text typefaces. Ligatures can be used for aesthetic or functional purposes, or both. In some cases, they can make a word or phrase more visually appealing.
A ligature is a device used to join two or more characters together in a single glyph, without introducing any extra space. Ligatures usually serve one of two purposes: to make a character more visually distinct from the others around it, or to join two otherwise unconnected characters. The latter type of ligature is more common in scripts that use a connected, cursive writing style.
Ligature is an important aspect of book production as it helps to ensure the structural integrity of the book. Without proper ligature, books can fall apart easily and become difficult to read. Ligature also helps to protect the spine of the book, preventing the pages from tearing or becoming damaged over time.
Overall, ligature is essential for ensuring that books are able to withstand the test of time and remain intact and readable for future generations.