These faces have rounded serifs and moderate contrast between strokes. The letters are open, rounded and very readable. The thick strokes of curved letters are off-balanced. Like Humanist, these types do not suffer reversal and stippling well, except in large sizes. Prints best on an unsized, off-white stock, in black ink.
Transitional faces reflect the fact that the eighteenth century was a time of transition.
During this period, type designers were more likely than their predecessors to rely on mathematical or scientific principles to create new letterforms. Containing elements of both Garalde and Didone styles, these faces have rounded serifs which are less formal than Didone, but more formal than Garalde and therefore reflect the transition from Garalde and Didone. Due to their mechanical-like structure, these types can be reversed and stippled, looking their best on a smooth white paper. Due to fine hairline strokes and serifs, the types do not lend themselves to reversal or stippling except in large sizes. Prints best on a smooth, matt-finish, white paper in black ink.