Fred Smeijers (*1961) je nizozemský typograf, výzkumník a odborný publicista. Je kreativním ředitelem a spoluzakladatelem nezávislé písmolijny Type By. Smeijers je vědeckým pracovníkem muzea Plantin-Moretus, v roce 2019 byl jmenován profesorem v oboru tvorby písma na univerzitě v Readingu ve Velké Británii. Jeho další teoretickou prací je například publikace Type Now (2003).

Typography is still dominated by typefaces created during the first hundred years of European letterpress printing. What were the procedures and approaches hidden behind these forms? Fred Smeijers is a type designer who learned to design and cut punches: the essential tools for creating metal letters. The book is based on the study of historical precedents and has significant relevance for the present. The publication Protirazník (1997) opens with some basic questions: what exactly is - at any time - a typographic font? How is it different from what we call writing? How to evaluate typographic fonts? The historical excursion begins with the writings of Italian humanists of the 15th century. Their abstract ideals are in complete contradiction with the material possibilities of production. Two basic principles are distinguished here: the first, when a set of counterpunches (or counterpunches) is used to create punches, and the second, when each punch is carved anew. Smeijers considers the counter punch to be an essential tool. It ensures the regularity of the form, repeatability, speed of production and creates a unique design system. The central chapters of the book develop this discussion further, focusing more closely on typographic fonts and punches from the 16th century, which are preserved mainly in the Plantin-Moretus museum in Antwerp.