Westcott GA-96 Computer Point & Pica Ruler, Transparent Graphic Arts Ruler, 12 Inch

Yeah, I know. You can click on text with your mouse on the computer and it will tell you the font size and leading. BUT, yes, you still need an E-gauge. I went to a specialized high school for art, got my college degree in advertising art and design, worked as art director for a newspaper, and then as a production director for a book publishing company. Now that you know my resume, let me tell you from experience, an E-gauge is still a valuable tool. I still own the one I bought when I was in 9th grade. I bought this one to use at work. When you are presented with hard copy proofs and need to be certain the comp is following your instructions you whip this thing out and check. It is easy easy to see through and easy to read. It bends easily and doesn't break. It also stops stupid defensive arguments in the middle of a production meeting. It also comes in handy to double check press proofs of text and covers to be certain nothing happened to the file when it was ripped. Or when you are looking at an older book that's already published that you don't have electronic files for and need to know what was what with the type. You can teach an old dog new tricks but sometimes you need to make sure the young pups know the old tricks as well. Get one of these. You'll impress someone in a meeting and it will at some point save you a layout headache.

Great tool for publishing, graphic design layouts

This scale served my purpose fine. I was trying to determine whether our local newspaper had shrunk their type size. Indeed they did—from 9 pt to 8 pt type. Much more challenging to read so I went to digital except for Sunday. This scale works well, but I noticed it marks up easily. Think I’ll make a sleeve out of a sheet protector. Most of the black was painted on well. I found one tiny spot on the line scale that didn’t get quite enough ink. This used to be an important tool for me when I was a typesetter back in the 70’s and 80’s. That job is now obsolete. I guess some people still use these or they wouldn’t sell them.

This ruler is a replacement for a similar one that I had for 20+ years. It works just like the one I replaced.Most everyone has a traditional ruler. However, I would STRONGLY recommend everyone buying this ruler too.I can't count the number of times over the years when I had to measure a curved surface, around a jar or bottle, or when doing a craft project where some strange shape needed to be measured. Many people will try to find string, measure it, and then put the string on a traditional ruler. This curved plastic ruler, complete with a 12" measuring guide, is quick and easy.For the graphic artist, it also has those features you would expect: Leading Gauge, Point Size Samples, Computer Point Scale, Computer Pica Scale, and sample line thicknesses from Hairline to 12 Point.Versatile at a great price!

I have owned several of these over the years. As a graphic artist, picas are an important unit of measurement, so a pica ruler is a must-have. One of my favorite features is the "E" scale with the typeface sizes. It makes it easy to estimate the point size of printed text, and I use it all the time. It's an excellent tool to have in my toolbox.The one star I removed isn't really because of the ruler itself. I actually ordered two at the same time, but they shipped separately. The first one arrived in perfect condition. The second arrived several days later, and unfortunately the Amazon packer folded the large mailer over and taped it shut, bending the ruler inside.When you're working with measurements down to the pica, even a slight bend can affect accuracy. Amazon did make it right, so I appreciate that.I'm mentioning it here because I think the manufacturer could help prevent this by packaging the ruler with a full piece of cardboard for support. That would make it much harder for anyone to accidentally bend it during shipping. The ruler itself is fantastic. I just wish it had been packaged a little better.

I don't think I'll have this new one long enough to wear it out, nor am I still doing the kind of work that made me wear out the first one. My pica pole, my ruler, had turned yellowed and brittle with age. It had begun to chip off at the end and I couldn't any longer use it as it was. What surprised me is that I could locate with ease on Amazon this utensil that was so much a part of my daily life when I was doing newspaper work. Amazing, this tool has not changed one iota in the 25 years I had it. The new one is exactly like old one! This tool was given to me by my supervisor in the Public Affairs unit when I was in the Army National Guard. It is a "Pica Pole" ... looks like a ruler, but its primary use is to measure Picas... what's a Pica? It is a unit of measurement. For more specific info, Google it as just that Pica in measurement... or else you're going to get some stuff about eating disorders. Picas are part of points... Lessons learned here aren't gonna help much, so suffice it to say that my life was once caught up in counting picas and points. I only did that once the research was done, the story written and it was time to typeset the story... yep... start to finish was a big process just to convey knowledge to more than just a few people at a time. Newspapers did the job long before the internet. I say this because my audience here is going to soon be of the generation who don't really remember newspapers... it's all an "app" or it's on YouTube.. or iTunes... or are those starting to go the way of Alta Vista, Web Crawler and Hot Site of the Day. I know that Google and Amazon are here to stay... may be Facebook, may be Windows... Anyway, the Cassandra, having written, moves on.

As a proofreader, I like this clear ruler that tells me the height of each letter in picas, the amount of space between lines (the leading), and other vital measurements. Kinda makes you feel "like an expert" to have it handy in your pencil cup when helping someone evaluate their document!

I have been looking for this ruler all over town and could not find it. My daughter started doing crafting and needed a pica ruler. Thank you

El producto es lo que esperaba

Excellent product easy to use.

Definitely a purchase for geeks of printed matter. I use mine a lot to measure font size in printed magazines so I can nag the editor.

Firstly, its very very flimsy. The plastic is so thin I doubt it will last long.Secondly, on the label there is a health warning: Quote - This product can expose you to chemicals including Di(2-ethyl-xexyl)phthalate, which are known to the state of california to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. See the photo... this definitely did not appear in the product description

Great quality! As a graphic design student I really recommend it!