MANDATORY (version 5.0)

Keith Bates / www.k-type.com © 2004, 2023

Mandatory is a full font developed from the typeface used for UK vehicle registration plates. There is improved stroke separation on the M and W which are pointed at the centre.

Mandatory has been designed to conform to the required proportions –

Height –  790 units
Character width – 500 units (except 1 and I)
Stroke – 140 units
Sidebearings – 2 x 55 units (Letter spaces – 110 units)
Word/Group Space – 330 units

Only the Upper Case letters and the numerals are used for registration plates. The capital I, which is the same as the 1, is not used. The Q is generally unused but may still be required for updating old plates.

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For designers, the font is completed with small capitals for the lower case, currency symbols, punctuation marks, printers' symbols and accented characters.

Version 5 contains heavier small caps characters. These better match the weight of the uppercase letters and make the font more useful for mixed case text.

Version 5 also includes numerous outline and spacing improvements.