PDF glossary
Text operators (Tj and TJ)
The PDF operators that draw text: Tj shows a string of glyphs, TJ shows glyphs with individual spacing adjustments.
Text in PDF content streams sits between BT (begin text) and ET (end text). Inside, operators set the font and size (Tf), the position (Td, Tm) and then draw glyphs with Tj or TJ.
TJ takes an array that mixes glyph strings with numbers. The numbers nudge the next glyph left or right in thousandths of the font size. Word processors use this for kerning and justification, which is why one visual line is often many small pieces.
Related terms