What’s a Drop Cap?

A drop cap is a large capital letter used as a decorative element at the beginning of a paragraph, chapter, or section of a publication.

You’ve probably seen one in your favorite novel.

Drop caps (A.K.A. decorated capitals, decorated initials, or illuminated capitals) are often two or more lines tall and may extend into the margins of the printed page.

These decorated letters were celebrations of the letter and a testament to the artist’s skill and devotion to the text.