In typography, the lightness or darkness in print of a particular typeface, based upon its design and thickness of line.
The standard gradations of weight are extralight, light, semilight, regular, medium, semibold, bold, extrabold, and ultrabold (also called heavy or black). Extremely light typefaces are often called hairline. There is no standardization of any of these weight designations, however; Helvetica Medium may be the same weight as a Univers Bold.
Due to such variables as the condition of processor chemicals, length of time since processing the galley (fading), and the density setting on the typesetting machine, differences in weight may be artificially created.
When trying to identify the typeface on a previously printed piece, it is necessary to consider the thickness, or density, of the ink, the amount of bleed, and the number of photographic steps that the image went through.
A bold lead-in, where the first word of a paragraph is bold, should have the same face and size as the text. If not, at least base-align the copy.
'Brightness contrast is the contrast between "blackness" of letters and "whiteness" of papers. It is important in maintaining typographic color.