Claude Garamond

Claude Garamont (c. 1510–1561),^[1] known commonly as Claude Garamond, was a French type designer, publisher and punch-cutter based in Paris.^[2][3] Garamond worked as an engraver of punches, the masters used to stamp matrices, the moulds used to cast metal type. He worked in the tradition now called old-style serif design, which produced letters with a relatively organic structure resembling handwriting with a pen but with a slightly more structured and upright design. Considered one of the leading type designers of all time, he is recognised to this day for the elegance of his typefaces.^[4] Many old-style serif typefaces are collectively known as Garamond, named after the designer.

Garamond was one of the first independent punchcutters, specialising in type design and punch-cutting as a service to others rather than working in house for a specific printer.^[5] His career therefore helped to define the future of commercial printing with typefounding as a distinct industry to printing books.^[6]