What is the definition of "block letters" in 30.06

[sailor2000]

What is the definition of "block letters" as used in 30.06? I can find no definition in the law itself.

Merriam Webster on line says:

"Block letter - noun
Definition of BLOCK LETTER
: an often hand-drawn simple capital letter composed of strokes of uniform thickness"

Does this make 30.06 signs that have upper and lower case lettering non-compliant?

DPS has helpfully posted advice on compliant 30.06 signs here http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... osting.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . The example wording is all in caps, but at the end of the posting, which says you can download their example, they also say "Please note that while the language provided above may be downloaded for convenience, it does not meet the requirements of Section 30.06(c)(3)(B) and may not be used as a sign.

[lonewolf]

Sort of ambiguous, isn't it? I believe that block letters are much like the standard font used on this forum. Plain, simple, no scripting, and using either upper or lower case letters. Just like the old "learn to print" things the teacher had over the chalkboard (yes, I'm old enough to remember chalk boards) in early elementary school. Plain block printing.

All of this is just my opinion, of course. Your block printing may differ than mine......

[G.A. Heath]

My understanding is that case law will have to decide this aspect of the 30.06 sign. For the record it is easier to print the sign in all caps to maintain the proper 1" minimum requirement without having to enlarge the sign further so most, if not all, compliant signs will be in all caps. However the block letter requirement will rule out scripts that are "fancy" making the sign easier to read.

[sjfcontrol]

My understanding is that case law will have to decide this aspect of the 30.06 sign. For the record it is easier to print the sign in all caps to maintain the proper 1" minimum requirement without having to enlarge the sign further so most, if not all, compliant signs will be in all caps. However the block letter requirement will rule out scripts that are "fancy" making the sign easier to read.

It hadn't occurred to me that in mixed-case signs, it would have to be the lower-case letters that would be 1"tall. That would make the upper-case letters even bigger, making the sign even larger.

[WildBill]

My understanding is that case law will have to decide this aspect of the 30.06 sign. For the record it is easier to print the sign in all caps to maintain the proper 1" minimum requirement without having to enlarge the sign further so most, if not all, compliant signs will be in all caps. However the block letter requirement will rule out scripts that are "fancy" making the sign easier to read.

It hadn't occurred to me that in mixed-case signs, it would have to be the lower-case letters that would be 1"tall. That would make the upper-case letters even bigger, making the sign even larger.

I agree with G.A. Heath. I believe that a court would accept any sans serif font [Arial, Helvetica, Futura] as "block letters" as long as they are one inch in height.

[sjfcontrol]

My understanding is that case law will have to decide this aspect of the 30.06 sign. For the record it is easier to print the sign in all caps to maintain the proper 1" minimum requirement without having to enlarge the sign further so most, if not all, compliant signs will be in all caps. However the block letter requirement will rule out scripts that are "fancy" making the sign easier to read.

It hadn't occurred to me that in mixed-case signs, it would have to be the lower-case letters that would be 1"tall. That would make the upper-case letters even bigger, making the sign even larger.

I agree with G.A. Heath. I believe that a court would accept any sans serif font [Arial, Helvetica, Futura] as "block letters" as long as they are one inch in height.

So you think that using a serif font would make them "non-block" letters?

[WildBill]

My understanding is that case law will have to decide this aspect of the 30.06 sign. For the record it is easier to print the sign in all caps to maintain the proper 1" minimum requirement without having to enlarge the sign further so most, if not all, compliant signs will be in all caps. However the block letter requirement will rule out scripts that are "fancy" making the sign easier to read.

It hadn't occurred to me that in mixed-case signs, it would have to be the lower-case letters that would be 1"tall. That would make the upper-case letters even bigger, making the sign even larger.

I agree with G.A. Heath. I believe that a court would accept any sans serif font [Arial, Helvetica, Futura] as "block letters" as long as they are one inch in height.

So you think that using a serif font would make them "non-block" letters?

That's my opinion.

[Oldgringo]

[/quote]I agree with G.A. Heath. I believe that a court would accept any sans serif font [Arial, Helvetica, Futura] as "block letters" as long as they are one inch in height.[/quote]

I don't want to be the test case but I suspect that there are judges in Texas who would rule on the "intent" of the sign regardless of letter size or exact wording.

Yeah, yeah, I know that's not what the laws says. You and your attorney will get an ample time consuming and expensive, to you, opportunity to set that judge straight and get your gun back.

[WildBill]

I agree with G.A. Heath. I believe that a court would accept any sans serif font [Arial, Helvetica, Futura] as "block letters" as long as they are one inch in height.

I don't want to be the test case but I suspect that there are judges in Texas who would rule on the "intent" of the sign regardless of letter size or exact wording.

Yeah, yeah, I know that's not what the laws says. You and your attorney will get an ample time consuming and expensive, to you, opportunity to set that judge straight and get your gun back.

Your objection is noted. There is always the possibility that a judge will ignore the letter of the law in order to convict a guilty defendant.
That is the legal system in our country.

[sjfcontrol]

I agree with G.A. Heath. I believe that a court would accept any sans serif font [Arial, Helvetica, Futura] as "block letters" as long as they are one inch in height.

I don't want to be the test case but I suspect that there are judges in Texas who would rule on the "intent" of the sign regardless of letter size or exact wording.

Yeah, yeah, I know that's not what the laws says. You and your attorney will get an ample time consuming and expensive, to you, opportunity to set that judge straight and get your gun back.

Your objection is noted. There is always the possibility that a judge will ignore the letter of the law in order to convict a guilty defendant.
That is the legal system in our country.

Umm, don't you mean convict an INNOCENT defendant?

[WildBill]

Umm, don't you mean convict an INNOCENT defendant?

Nope. Unfortunately, I mean guilty. If the judge thinks the defendant is guilty, that may affect his interpretation of the law.

[Dragonfighter]

Serifs are stylized carry overs from the days when carving chisels would make the initial cut. One would make the spaced marks along the upper and lower lines.

_ _ _ _

_ _ _ _

Then the verticals are carved.

_ _ _ _
| | | |
_ _ _ _

And so on. Serifs are retained as a style element for a more classic feel.

In typography block letters are:

A: San-serif
AND
B: Not condensed (uniform kerning) and uniform weight throughout the character

There are plenty of san-serif fonts that are not uniform weight (I.E. Calligraphic) that would not qualify. Case does not effect that interpretation in typography. So if I, as a graphic designer were on the jury, sympathies not withstanding, I would not accept an argument based on case.

[ELB]

Serifs are stylized carry overs from the days when carving chisels would make the initial cut. One would make the spaced marks along the upper and lower lines.

etc .

Interesting. I had not heard that before. If anything, 'tother way around -- I read that serif fonts were invented to make closely spaced text easier to read, to lead the eye along the line of type. Certainly works for me -- large sections of text in block, capital letters -- i.e. without serifs -- are noticeably more difficult for me to read and keep my place.

[philip964]

I do lots of signs to meet building codes. They all require block letters usually 1" or 3/4" tall. We have normally picked Ariel or Helvetica and in all CAPS to satisfy this requirement. To me the CAPS being 1" tall and then using smaller lower case letters would not meet the requirement of 1"tall block letters.

Serif letters to me could still be block letters if the body of the letter was large enough in comparison to the serif. For example the font used over the Texas flag that reads "TEXASCHLFORUM.COM above has small serifs, but I would say it is still block lettering. Here you can also see that if the FORUM.COM part was 1" tall it would comply as being 1" tall block letters, but not, if they were smaller than 1" even if the Capitals were 1" tall.

[Dragonfighter]

Serifs are stylized carry overs from the days when carving chisels would make the initial cut. One would make the spaced marks along the upper and lower lines.

etc .

Interesting. I had not heard that before. If anything, 'tother way around -- I read that serif fonts were invented to make closely spaced text easier to read, to lead the eye along the line of type. Certainly works for me -- large sections of text in block, capital letters -- i.e. without serifs -- are noticeably more difficult for me to read and keep my place.

As is a lot of information concerning ancient traditions, I am sure there are various "authoritative" accounts and we as consumer must decide which IS the authority. Mine was when I was studying and sat at the feet of an engraver who retained classic plate engraving for lithography and copperplate printing. He demonstrated and explained where "serifs" originated as he carved the characters BACKWARDS

So I probably assign more weight to his credentials than a "scholarly" treatise.

Terms like kerning and leading, x-height, points and picas are also carry overs from type engraving and type setting days and are still standards for layout in print and graphics. Back OT though, in GRAPHICS serif fonts are NOT block type.

Added In Edit:
block letter
n.
1. A plain capital letter written or printed unjoined to a following or preceding letter.
2. Printing
a. A sans-serif style of type.
b. A letter printed or written sans serif.