Version 1.0, 3 June 2021
Version history:
1.0, 3 June 2021
Main recommendations
When dealing with a project containing text in ‘Arabic’ or Muslim script, first try to determine the dominant language in the text and have the typesetter apply the appropriate font to match that language. Instruct typesetters to use the standard fonts as prescribed in the 'Typesetting …’ Confluence-page applicable for that specific language. Please also check the Rules for input of Arabic and Persian (Farsi) text as listed at Encoding and keying-in of Arabic and Persian (Farsi) text: best practices.
Nassim font sizes and settings
Persian text is set in the typeface Nassim Arabic Pro.
Brill 11 pt ~ Nassim 11.2 pt
Brill 10 pt ~ Nassim 11 pt
Brill 9 pt ~ Nassim 9.16 pt
In all cases, all Nassim text must receive a positive baseline shift (up) of 0.5 pt. When used in most Brill Typographic Style elements, Nassim must follow the baseline grid (still with the same overall shift up). This shift up ensures that Nassim will harmonize better when mixed in with Brill type.
Exceptions to baseline grid adherence:
(1) text in footnotes and in indexes – follow the Brill type instructions for leading;
(2) whenever Nassim ascenders or descenders or diacritics above or below interfere with any type above or below, leading must be (very!) slightly adjusted so that the clashes disappear.
– Regular Persian text is set in Nassim Regular.
– Text needing emphasis, or text formatted bold (or bold italic) in BTS because it belongs to titles, headings, etc., must be set using Nassim Bold.
In Adobe InDesign, make sure that all Persian text is also language-tagged as such (‘Farsi’, in the language menu).
