How To Create A Stunning Drop Capital Effect On Your Web Pages

Drop Capitals are frequently used in many newspapers, books and magazines in the offline world. You will frequently see the large capital letter sinking down into the first paragraph of articles, stories and chapters in the majority of publications you come across.

The drop capital gives the page a nice finishing touch, and certainly adds a more professional looking feel.

Online, the drop capital looks just as good on web pages as it does in print. The only drawback is that you can easily get the whole effect wrong, and end up with a less than appealing result.

The wrong way...

When most people attempt to create a drop capital effect on a web page, they usually just enlarge the first letter by a few font sizes and make it bold.

If you do this on your own web page, you will notice that instead of a 'drop' capital effect, you end up with an odd looking letter which sticks up above the rest of the paragraph, and just looks out of place.

The right way...

There are essentially, two parts to creating the drop capital effect.

Step #1 -

You need to create a drop capital image using some graphic software.

You can use any standard piece of graphic software like Paint Shop Pro, Fireworks, or Photoshop.

The drop capital image should ideally be big enough to drop down between 2-4 lines of text, depending on your preference.

You should ensure that the top of your drop capital image is level with the top of the text next to it. The bottom of the image should also be level with the bottom of the lowest text next to it.

This is really the hardest part of creating a drop capital effect. It can be very easy to make the image just a bit too big, or a bit too small. You may find that it will take a bit of trial and error to make it look just right. However, the extra effort will pay off, as the end result will be worth waiting for.

One thing to note: As with any image, a drop capital image can slow a web page if the file size is too big. To help reduce the file size you should save it as a '.gif' image. For even better results you should try to optimize the '.gif' image as well by reducing the amount of colors being used.

Step #2

This step is the easiest bit?

Once you have created the drop capital image, all you have to do now is to insert it into your web page. You just add the image to the web page in the same way that you would with any other image on your page.

When you place it at the beginning of the paragraph, make sure you remember to delete the first letter of the normal text. Otherwise you will end up starting the paragraph with two of the same letter.

Align the image to the left

Initially, you will notice that the drop capital image just sits on top of the first line, instead of dropping down into it. Not for long!

All you have to do now, is align the image to the left, and you will see it drop down instantly into the paragraph.

If you are using a web page editor to create your web pages like Microsoft FrontPage or Macromedias Dreamweaver, aligning the image to the left is pretty easy.

In FrontPage:

Select the drop capital image by left clicking it once. Then click on the align to the left short cut icon in the top menu bar. Alternatively, you can select Format, then Position from the top menu. In the pop up window, select Align Left under Wrapping Style.

In Dreamweaver:

Select the drop capital image by left clicking it once. Then in the properties window, click on the arrow in the drop down menu next to Align, then select Left

If you are using a different web page editor, you should have a similar align option in the menu area. Alternatively, you edit the HTML code directly yourself. Just add the following command in between the brackets of the image tag:

align="left"

Thats literally all there is to it!

If you have multiple pages on your website, youll probably going to need to create a number of different drop capital images for each letter of the alphabet. The extra effort will be worthwhile as you will end up with a much more professional looking website.

Copyright © 2004 Jason Lewis

About the Author:

Jason Lewis provides ready-made professionally designed drop capital images, as an instant solution for the busy website owner. Each design is available for immediate download and can be added to a website within a few minutes. To find out more: http://www.dropcapitals.com/cmd.asp?ad=93481

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Simple Lines and Shapes for Your Logo Design

Geometric designs come in all shapes and sizes? and lines.... Read More

Concentrate On Web Content Instead Of Search Engine Optimization

For many webmasters the title of my article may seem... Read More

10 Important Web Design Tips: SEO Friendly Website

A website should firstly be searched out by visitors before... Read More

Website Design Basic Concepts

So, what's in a website design anyway? And, how do... Read More

What Does Your Website Say About Your Business?

QUESTION: My business is very small, just me and... Read More

Simple Steps To Proper Web Design

Over the course of the last decade, the Internet has... Read More

How To Choose The Right Web Design Company

1. Size does not equate to competencePeople sometimes assume a... Read More

Converting Print Advertising For Use On The Web - A How-To

Contrary to the beliefs of some, advertising for web and... Read More

Bad Design Characteristics For A Website

Making a poorly designed website is one of the easiest... Read More

10 Ways Web Site Text Can Impact Your Readers Buying Decision

10 Ways Web Site Text Can Impact Your Reader's Buying... Read More

Becoming A Website Designer

The ability to create simple, attractive and functional web pages... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Increase Web Sales - Part 1

You have only 10 seconds to impress your potential buyer.... Read More

6 Tips To Improve Your Business Website

There are six important characteristics that can play a major... Read More

Drupal Modules

There are plenty of Drupal Modules that you can install... Read More

What is ASP.NET

ASP.NET is a new programming framework from Microsoft for developing... Read More

Website Promotion and Design Tips

Are you thinking that it is about time your small... Read More

Copy Editing: 10 Powerful, Mind Blowing Secrets For Writing A High-Impact Ad

No matter what product or service you're promoting, unless you... Read More

Why Stock Photography is a Great Resource for Web Business

A picture is worth a thousand words.And it still is... Read More

Quality of Your Text Layout and Design

Why is the quality of your text layout and design... Read More

Is Your Website Color As Inviting as Your Home? Does Color Really Matter?

We've all read the countless publications about effective web site... Read More

How to Create a Great Landing Page for Your Website

The landing page or entry page of your visitors is... Read More

Effective Website Design

In this era of ultra-sophisticated internet marketing and web design,... Read More

My Top Ten List Of Extremely Annoying Web Page Design Elements!

Easy navigation and usability are one of the most important... Read More

Custom Website Design - 3 Must Have Tools

Creating your own website can be fun and easy, as... Read More

Your Site Map: Spider Food or Just A Light Snack?

Mechanical spiders have to eat. In fact, they usually have... Read More

Owning Your Own Web Site Is A Must

Owning your own website is a must if you are... Read More

Content - the Key to Long Term Success

Every day internet marketers are inundated with the latest fad... Read More

How to Build Your Own Website - More Steps

To build a website, there are four methods to choose... Read More

Creating Your First Website? Your Options

Creating your own website is great fun! But how is... Read More

Usability and Considerate Design

I hate to imagine that in your web development project... Read More

Web Site Templates and Their Benefits

Unarguably, the most important part of your website is content.... Read More

Keep Your Navigation Consistent!

One of the single most important aspects of effective navigation... Read More

Design Matters in our Visual Culture

FIRST IMPRESSIONS. First impressions often leave lasting impressions. Impressions... Read More