Gemelli’s Textbook
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Made with 💗 by Gemelli TS teachers
Typesetting (TS)
Preface
Thank you for clicking on this link. While this "textbook" was made for the trainees of our own group, we hope this guide can provide some insight into general typesetting expectations.
Before you read:�Start with Anon Black's Typesetting Guides (Mangadex), then consider checking out RHS Comprehensive Typesetting Guide is also helpful for learning the rules of typesetting manga!
Some more guides I'd recommend checking out include Typesetting Tips, Blambot Lettering Tips, and Comicraft's Do’s and Dont's.
This textbook is part of the Gemelli Textbook Series.�Our other textbooks include:
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I recommend reading through the whole thing your first time. This page is only here for when you wanna skip to something specific later on!
Table of Contents
Introduction
So you want to learn how to typeset? �Here are some basics to get you started:��What is a typesetter?��A typesetter is a role in scanlation, �their main job is to place the proofread text onto the cleaned version of the comic. ��Typesetting goes into much, much �more depth. Over these pages, you �will get to know many terms that will �definitely be used again in the future!
���What resources do I need?��The very first thing you need is a computer and a mouse. It is very hard to typeset and edit on any other devices. Second, you need to download photoshop. No need to buy or use your money, we have many links to free and cracked photoshop. ��That’s about it for now, also you might need a lot of space on your computer for fonts and downloads.
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Introduction (cont.)
Start off with some basics: For people new to scanlation or new to typesetting.��First the cleans. Most of the time, they’re in 2 layers. It is put this way so that you, the �Typesetter, know where to put text �and other things. Viewing the raws is vital for SFX and many other details. This works by clicking the eye icon next to the highest layer. ��*SFX is an abbreviation for sound effects. Usually words such as “Whoosh, Thump, Bang” and other onomatopoeias are SFX. These SFX can be colorful or have special effects that the original file (raw) has.
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The duplicated layer
The background layer
*The eye tool, to hide or unhide a layer.
*SFX Examples:
0. The Basics
(MUST READ)
Unit 0 - Character Panel
When typesetting, the one thing readers see is your CHARACTERS (aka font, bold/not bold, spaces between lines and letters).
Thus, one of the most important panels used in typesetting is the character panel. Open it by going to Windows > Character.
It is the default settings to the appearance of your text. The picture on the side demonstrates the character panel and its’ settings.
Looks like this ->
Make sure to always have it open!��
��
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Unit 0 - Character Panel
Now to learn some vocabulary!
Tracking�The space between characters.
Leading�The space between lines. Auto Leading means photoshop handles the leading based on a percentage.
Kerning�The overlapped space between characters.
Anti-aliasing:�How the edges are dealt with.����
��
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Unit 0 - Fi
What is Fi? Should you leave this button on? Fi is the acronym for ligatures, and its main uses are for double letters and crossbars. (see sl. 75. fluff)��The crossbar will be on when Fi is selected. It is also a great tool for automatically getting the correct crossbars.��Double letters have a slight change in difference when Fi is ON! Ligatures is the combining of letters.��You should leave it on whether the group would like crossbars or not. Although it’s correct to leave them on, they can also mess with the variation of double letters.
However!! Fi does not work for�all fonts; in this case, find the shift + \ on your keyboard. It looks like a crossbar “|”.
Fi off
Fi on
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Unit 0 - Character Panel
Things to note (in Gemelli):
There’s an action in the drive that resets the text to:
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By default, your character panel should look like this!
Unit 0 - Point Text vs Paragraph Text
Typesetting: def. using the text tool <shortcut: t> to put translated text on a cleaned page.
Beginners are recommended to use point text.�Why? Point text requires the typesetter to manually shape the text. (See section on Shaping.)
PARAGRAPH TEXT
POINT TEXT
Paragraph Text: Click + Drag.
Point Text: Click + start typing�(or paste your text w/ ctrl + v).
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*note how spaces are deleted at the end of each line
Unit 0 - Paragraph Panel
Your paragraph panel looks like this ->
You don’t have to always have it open. You only need it when you switch your align (red) or your Auto Leading.
If your Font Guide says `Auto Leading: 100%`,�then you’ll need to adjust it in Justification.
Go to justification here�And this panel should pop up:
By default (in Gemelli), if we don’t�mention a specific percentage for auto-�leading, then it’s 120%.
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Unit 0 - Paragraph Panel
So what does auto-leading do anyways?�Well, first of all, auto leading is when leading is (auto)matically determined by photoshop. It makes the leading consistent no matter your font size!!!
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While 120% Auto Leading is good for most fonts, sometimes it doesn't work and that's why we (at Gemelli) choose to mess around with it ^^
Reminder that your typesetting�looks bad for certain fonts if�you don't adjust this value.
Do not manually adjust your leading for every single bubble... do this instead~
Unit 0 - Following the Font Guide
Font Guide - A list of fonts and what they�are used for. This is to maintain consistency between chapters and between typesetters.
Make sure to follow the font guide exactly.
This means, no CCTimSaleW00 where it says CCTimSale (W00 is not the same font). Here is the Scan School Font Dump which contains a lot of official CC and BB font files. Still can't find the og font file? Ask, and we'll drop you a copy.
*** Always try to get fonts from the original file. fonts with modified names always cause big headaches for your QC if they didn't download the same font file you did.
Example of a Gemelli Font Guide
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Unit 0 - Choosing Your Own Fonts
Creating your own font guide?
DO NOT USE the following:
Sometimes the 'genre' and 'art style' can decide which fonts look better.�Check the previous projects you worked on and steal their fonts. Or... ask more experienced typesetters for their font guides!
^ great font suggestions from QSS
auto-leading here needs to be fixed too
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BAD!!!!
I. Shaping
Unit 1 - Lining
Bad Shaping is one of the most recognizable mistakes if you do it wrong.
Shaping / Lining refers to the shape of your text in the bubble.
Usually, the most common shape is the circle or oval, or ellipses.
Some basic rules for lining are:
Good Shaping Example
Bad Shaping Example
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Unit 1 - Lining
Good shaping (lining) is usually round�(yes, even in a box).
Generally you want to match the lining of the text to the shape of the bubble/ narration box.
Take a look at this bubble ->
You can see in this one, the middle�line is way too long, when typesetting�you should experiment with your text�to make it look good.
Ehhh?
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Unit 1 - Hourglass / Pyramid
When we criticize the shaping�of a bubble, we often point out hourglasses and pyramids.
Example of an hourglass in shaping:
Example of fixing an hourglass by using a smaller font size. [See right.]
Fixed Shaping issue :)
Hourglass?! (ew)
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Unit 1 - Hourglass / Pyramid
When we criticize the shaping�of a bubble, we often point out hourglasses and pyramids.��Example of a pyramid in shaping:
Bad Pyramid shaping (ew)
Fixed Shaping issue :)
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Unit 1 - Hyphenating
In order to avoid hourglass text you can:
*When using hyphens, check where you hyphenate a word with a hyphenation website like Hyphenation24.
*Also, MAX 1 hyphen per bubble (in Manhwas and Manhuas). Mangas… more hyphens are fine.
Has Hourglass (ew)
Fixed Shaping issue :)
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Unit 1 - Good/Bad Examples
Bad stuff (don’t do this)
Bad shaping (could be round)
Sis no
Good shaping but Wrongly Hyphenated...
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Unit 1 - Good/Bad Examples
Good stuff MHMMMM
Good shaping :)
Nicely Shaped :)
Matching the bubble shape :)
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Unit 1 - Punctuation
if I see one more twitter translators putting punctuation on its own line, I'm going to flip
(jkjk,, it's not that bad,, just... doesn't read well)
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BAD!!!!
Good ^^
Unit 1 - Other Tips
Other tips:
How to improve shaping quickly:
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Unit 1 - Visual Summary
If you can get a round shape, go for the round shape. It looks best!
Which one do you think looks better?�1, 2, or 3?
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II. Sizing
Unit 2 - Goldilocks Sizing
Take into account the white space of the bubble. Zoom out ("step back") when assessing sizing.
If the bubble looks empty, make your text a bit bigger.
Example of text too small�You want to make the text size bigger especially if it’s a shout, because shouts are LOUD.
If your text is practically touching the sides of the bubble, make it smaller.
Example of text too big
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Unit 2 - Good/Bad Examples
Here’s some examples to drill what bad sizing is:
Too Big
Too Small
A Bit Small
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Unit 2 - Good/Bad Examples
Here’s some examples to drill what good sizing is:
Just Right
Just Right
Just Right
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Unit 2 - Connected Bubbles
Sometimes you have to take into consideration the size of surrounding text when sizing.
i.e. with connected bubbles, try to keep the text size around the same pt UNLESS there's a big difference present in the raws. Otherwise, the change feels super jarring and disrupts the flow of reading.
It's always good practice to zoom out and scroll through your typeset like an average reader would to notice any jarring size changes.
Around the Same
Feeling Separated...
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III. Centering
Unit 3 - Optical Centering
A large part of centering comes from understanding the padding: the space between the text and the edges of the bubble.
These text boxes are absolute centered (all the padding is symmetrical and can be done by a program
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Unit 3 - Optical Centering
Optical Center means location in the bubble that seems “Center” to our eyes. Unlike the absolute center, there’s no way to just rely on the computer.
Some useful tricks are:
Disregard the values that pop up.�Trust your eyes ^^
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Unit 3 - Centering Techniques
Center using the move tool <shortcut: v>!
NOTE: This method only works for point text.
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Unit 3 - Centering Techniques
Photoshop Action:
Since Gemelli Academy shut down, click here to access our actions.
Make sure to read�the '# Instructions' document first!!!
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Unit 3 - Centering Techniques
Just eye it:
Point Text: Hold CTRL w/ the move tool, and just eye the spaces around the text. Nudge around (arrow keys) until it looks right!
Paragraph Text: Drag side handles to the side of the bubble, and nudge up and down (up and down arrows) until it looks right!
Point Text
Paragraph Text
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IV. SFX�(Sound Effects)
Unit 4 - SFX Overview
Referenced from Page 4*
SFX are sounds effects, usually put in different fonts, effects, and many more.
Why are these effects important? When typesetting you must follow the raw file. If the raw file has that effect, your SFX must have it too. (Fonts, Blur, Stroke, Different colors, etc.)
In these next few panels, you will learn the effects and how to make them. As well as some other key important details.
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Note: no hyphen when you’re breaking up a SFX�(see above)
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Unit 4 - SFX Font Choosing
When choosing fonts to use for your SFX, look at the raw and take inspiration from how the raw does it.
NOTE: Do not solely base your SFX choices off the raw though, because the raw language is different than English, and so the raw language has fonts English can’t have and English has creative fonts that the raw language can’t have.
Here’s an example of picking�a font based off of the raw -->
SFX in RAW
SFX Typesetted
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Unit 4 - SFX Font Choosing
For most sfx, you want to choose a font that matches the feel / sound of the sfx itself. This means, if the sfx you TS is “Kick”, your font choice can make that “Kick” into:
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Unit 4 - SFX Font Choosing
Just follow your natural instinct when choosing fonts,, there’s no right or wrong answer
However,
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Unit 4 - SFX Font Choosing
Generally:
But there are many other types of fonts that can have the same effect, you just gotta explore
Tip: Find and test new fonts! Don’t just find one font for each mood and use it over and over, it’ll be boring
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Unit 4 - SFX Font Choosing
SFX Font Choosing Example 1
Looking at this SFX, I can easily match the raw with my sfx.
But hold on, that doesn’t really reflect the sound of “Slightly” does it?
The sound of “slightly” is soft-ish as you’re doing it pretty lightly. Because of this, a pencil/handwritten font would work best.
Too messy, hard to read.�Too thick, not “light”.�Perfect!
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Unit 4 - SFX Font Choosing
SFX Font Choosing Example 2
Don’t overuse fonts.
All SFX on this panel contains�same font: big Nono
Try some other fonts that get the feeling behind these words!
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Unit 4 - SFX Effects
Adding Stroke�There are 2 ways to add effects:
Afterwards, in that menu, edit:
To match the raw!
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Unit 4 - SFX Effects
Adding Gradient
Add a gradient effect by adding a gradient overlay.
In the menu, you can change:
Just play around with these numbers until it’s satisfactory.
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Unit 4 - SFX Effects
Adding Gradient
How to edit Gradient:
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Unit 4 - SFX Effects
Adding Effects: Drop Shadow, Inner/Outer Glow, Pattern
Double click the text layer in your layers panel and the `Layer Style` pop up should appear. You can pick and edit your effects there. Play around with them~
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Unit 4 - SFX Effects
Clipping Fancy Effects
Let’s walk through an example of how to use clipping to add fancy effects to your TS.
Check out Kyle's brush sets for unique effects & textures to re-create patterns with~
Downloads can be found here: https://quicksandscans.wordpress.com/resources/
Raw!
Typeset�The Letters!
The pattern�Created on a�New layer!
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Unit 4 - SFX Effects
Clipping Fancy Effects
Here’s the layers:
Now create a clipping mask by:
Looks like:
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Unit 4 - SFX Effects
Clipping Fancy Effects
What Clipping does is basically cuts off everything that’s not on the layer you clipped to.
Here’s a few examples of cool clipped effects :)
If it’s clipped, it’ll have the arrow like this:
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Unit 4 - Adding Patterns
Adding patterns/screentones
When you have a pattern or screentone on your text, you need to Create a Pattern first. Then, you have two options:
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Unit 4 - Adding Patterns
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How to make your own pattern (mostly for screentones but useful for other things :p)�1.) Use you rectangular marquee tool
2.) Select the pattern you want to copy
3.) Go to Edit > Define Pattern then click OK.
Unit 4 - Adding Patterns
luke/song
Pattern Stamp Tool
Unit 4 - Adding Patterns
Adding patterns/screentones
Double click the text layer in your layers panel and the `Layer Style` pop up should appear.
Click on Pattern Overlay and select the pattern you’ve created in the dropdown box. You can adjust the angle, scale, etc. Click OK when you’re done!
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Unit 4 - Baseline Shift
Using Baseline Shift is a really good way to make sfx match the raw better WITHOUT USING VERTICAL TEXT.
(This is also a better way to make your sfx spicy without having to place every character separately.)
How to:
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Unit 4 - Warping
How to add:
Just play around with this! Don’t rely too much on it though!
I mostly see warp in NSFW works because you want to spice up the moans somehow while using the same font �
Delete if i won’t get sent to jail
This one
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fluff what the hell
Unit 4 - Blur / Motion Blur
How to add blur / motion blur:
Now a note: Since a blur is a type of “Filter”, Photoshop will ask you to `Rasterize`.
You can:
Do NOT rasterize without making a copy first.
Gaussian Blur = Normal Blur
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Unit 4 - Weird SFX Recreation
If you typeset certain comic series, you may run into these SFX that use weird brush effects. How do we recreate this in English? The best answer to that is to use Clip Studio Paint since these SFX were created in that software. Don't have CSP? Don't fear, the first part of this section focuses on how to recreate these SFX in Photoshop!
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Unit 4 - Weird SFX Recreation
but of course, you don't have CSP, so listen up, i've got some tips for you:
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Unit 4 - Weird SFX Recreation
but of course, you don't have CSP, so listen up, i've got some tips for you:
looks good enough for me :D
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Unit 4 - Weird SFX Recreation
how about this one?
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Unit 4 - Weird SFX Recreation
how about this one?
looks good enough for me :)
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Unit 4 - Weird SFX Recreation
ok when u see something complicated like this, break it up into steps:
let's tackle them one by one
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Unit 4 - Weird SFX Recreation
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Unit 4 - Weird SFX Recreation
looks good enough for me :)
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Unit 4 - Using CSP for SFX
if you're like me and got CSP just to do these fancy SFX, or not, let me tell you:
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Unit 4 - Using CSP for SFX
2-step Instructions on adding Gradient & Stroke in CSP-
Stroke:
Gradient:
Other effects? Do it in PS afterwards.
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Unit 4 - Using CSP for SFX
Best practices with workflow (for my group)
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V. Other
Unit 5 - Layer Masks
A layer mask controls the opacity of whatever it masks.
On a layer mask, black = 0% opacity whereas white = 100% opacity and whatever comes between comes between.
Layer Mask Example
How to use:
(cont next page.)
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Unit 5 - Layer Masks
How to use (cont.):
Done with the gradient�tool and a layer mask ->
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Unit 5 - Layer Masks
How to use (animated explanation):
i stole this helpful gif from codecy (scan school) so thanks :)
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Unit 5 - Crossbar “I”
Only use the crossbar “I” for the personal pronoun I. For all other instances of “i”, use the lowercase “i” even if it’s at the start of the sentence.
Interesting Note: Some fonts map the crossbar “I” to the <|> (pipe) key.
An example of crossbar used correctly below:
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Unit 5 - Matching Perspective
To typeset text while matching the perspective, the edit > distort tool will be a lot of help.
Let's take a look at this panel as an example:
First, let's get the translation typed in.
Right-click the text to make it into a smart object (so we can perform distort on it).
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Unit 5 - Matching Perspective
Now, you can use edit > distort to edit the text to match the box. My shortcut is to use free transform (ctrl/cmd + t) and then right-click to get to distort.
Use layer masks (see pg 71-73 to make the part of the text disappear.
If you want to edit the contents of the text afterwards, double-click on the smart object (in the layer panel) ^^
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Unit 5 - Using Actions
Actions were frequently mentioned throughout this guide, but how do you use them?
After downloading the file, go to your file explorer > click on the file > open your action panel from the windows tab.
Make sure to have your text layer selected, it should be highlighted > select the action > click the play button on the bottom menu
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Actions increase the speed of typesetting as they are automatic custom settings.��Forget changing the font or autoleading every time you switch styles, download actions--or make them--to increase your productivity.
Unit 5 - Em Dash
An em dash is the super long dash that your font may not have and if you copy paste into PS, it might not work
Put down your text. Use a normal dash
Select/highlight just the dash
On the character panel, change the horizontal scale to 200%
Now it looks like this! That's it! It's that simple
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Unit 5 - Accents
If your text has accents (particularly accent grave) but you don’t know how to TS:
On the top bar, click “Window” → “Glyphs”
Note: Some fonts don’t have a specific accent in their glyphs, so you may have to use a similar looking font instead
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Misc.
Ending Notes
Misc. Advice
Misc. Advice
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