If you’ve ever worked in web design, graphic design, or publishing, chances are you’ve come across the mysterious phrase: “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet…” It looks like Latin, but doesn’t quite make sense. So, what exactly is Lorem Ipsum, and why is it everywhere in the design and printing world? Let’s break it down.
What is Lorem Ipsum?
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text used in the printing, typesetting, and digital design industries to fill space where actual content will eventually be placed. It allows designers to focus on a layout’s visual elements — like fonts, typography, and spacing — without being distracted by meaningful content.
It has been the industry standard placeholder text since the 1500s, making it one of the longest-running design tools in history!
Why Use Dummy Text?
- Focus on Design
Using readable text like English can distract clients and designers from the look and feel of the layout. Lorem Ipsum keeps attention on structure. - Mimics Real Language Patterns
Compared to repeating “Content here, content here,” Lorem Ipsum has a more natural distribution of letters and words — better representing what real text will look like in the final design. - Universal & Familiar
Most designers and clients recognize it instantly as placeholder text, avoiding confusion about whether the content is final.
Where Did Lorem Ipsum Come From?
Believe it or not, Lorem Ipsum has classical Latin roots. It originates from a piece of Latin literature written by Cicero in 45 BC, titled “De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” (The Extremes of Good and Evil).