Supertype
Supertype is the best source of card founts – which are ideal for the beginner or to top-up existing founts. See other type founders if you're looking for larger quantities or composition matter.
The outfit is run by Bryan Horsfall, who was previously the owner of the very large commercial ‘Startype’ Foundry, a principal supplier to firms in the North of England in days gone by. Mr Horsfall's expertise is now pretty much unique. He provides exactly the service small printers require; the quality is first rate, the service is excellent and the prices are extremely modest (often beating second hand items on eBay). Contact details below.
Available Type Faces
Supertype ‘standard’ type faces are listed below. Lots of other faces and sizes are available to special order, at an additional charge.
Ashley Script 574
14, 18, 24, 30 and 36 pt
Bembo Roman 270
8, 10 and 12 pt
Bembo Italic 270-I
8, 10 and 12 pt
Dorchester Script 436
14, 18, 24 and 36 pt
Garamond Roman 156
8, 10, 12, 14 and 18 pt
Garamond Italic 156-I
8, 10, 12, 14 and 18 pt
Gill Medium 262
6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 24, 30 and 36 pt
Gill Medium Italic 262-I
6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 24, 30 and 36 pt
Gill Bold 275
6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 24, 30 and 36 pt
Gill Bold Italic 275-I
6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 24, 30 and 36 pt
Gill Bold Condensed 343
8, 10, 12, 14, 18, and 24 pt
Gill Bold Titling 317
36 and 48 pt
Heavy Script 322
14, 18, 24, 30 and 36 pt
Imprint Shadow 190
14, 18, 24, 30 and 36 pt
Imprint Shadow Italic 190-I
14, 18, 24, 30 and 36 pt
Light English Text 456
8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 24, 30 and 36 pt
Plantin Roman 110
8, 10, 12, 14 and 18 pt
Plantin Italic 110-I
8, 10, 12, 14, 18 and 24 pt
Plate Gothic (Spartan) 140
6 pt and 12 pt bodies, sizes 1, 2, 3 or 4*
Rockwell Medium 371
8, 10, 12, 14, 18 and 24 pt
Temple Script 455
12, 14 and 24 pt
Times Roman 327
6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 24, 30 and 36 pt
Times Italic 327-I
6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18 and 24 pt
Times Bold 334
6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 24, 30 and 36 pt
Univers Medium 689
7 cast on an 8pt body, 9/10pt, 11/12pt, 14/14pt, 18/18pt & 22/24pt**
Univers Medium Italic 689-I
7 cast on an 8pt body, 9/10pt, 11/12pt, 14/14pt, 18/18pt & 22/24pt**
Univers Medium Condensed 690
7 cast on an 8pt body, 9/10pt, 11/12pt, 14/14pt, 18/18pt & 22/24pt**
Univers Medium Expanded 688
8 cast on an 8pt body, 9/10pt, 11/12pt, 18/18pt & 22/24pt**
Univers Bold 693
7 cast on an 8pt body, 9/10pt, 11/12pt, 14/14pt, 18/18pt & 22/24pt**
Univers Bold Condensed 694
7 cast on an 8pt body, 9/10pt, 11/12pt, 14/14pt, 18/18pt & 22/24pt**
Also a range of other letterpress materials.
* Almost uniquely for Monotype faces, Plate Gothic (Spartan) is designed to align at the foot so there are four sizes (Number 1, 2, 3 and 4) on either either 6 pt or 12 pt bodies.
** Univers is a type-face from France where they use a different set of measures for type (the Didot system). To cast these faces to work within our Anglo-American point system it sometimes has to be cast on a slightly larger body.
Quantities in a Card Fount
The quantity of type in a card fount is traditionally described by the number of As, with the other letters in relative proportions. The number of letters in Supertype small ‘card’ founts are:
| 3A | 4A | 5A | 6A | 8A | 13A | 40A | |
| E | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 48 |
| A I N O R S T | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 13 | 40 |
| C D H L M U | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 28 |
| B F G P W Y | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 17 |
| J K V | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 12 |
| Q X Z | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
Other manufacturers proportions vary slightly.
Contact Details
Super-Type
Mr B M Horsfall
The Wheatleys
Dewsbury Road
Gormersal
West Yorks
BD19 4LH
Or call: 01274 873 278
Bryan.Supertype@googlemail.com
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