Small Caps for Date?

Out of context: Reply #9

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  • gramme0

    Small caps are only syntactically appropriate for acronyms – BC, AD, AIGA, etc., or for emphasis where italics aren't quite strong enough. Hierarchically and/or stylistically, they can be useful for subheads, running heads, or folios. Otherwise, they tend to be overused, particularly in our new Opentype age. Sometimes I see them mistakenly used for abbreviations or proper names like C.S. Lewis.

    Using small caps implies full stops between characters. It's good simple practice to do without punctuation where understanding won't suffer. But if full stops are a must, don't use small caps.

    Some typographers use small caps for acronyms that are assimilated into language such as TV or DVD, but prefer not to use them for things like state names.

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