The font has been designed to work primarily as any other font, but it also has special features that can add an extra dimension to your design. This feature is Layering.

When using GHS you set your type with the “Key” font, and then when you're happy with your layout, you can change the font to a layer containing only the Hairlines, and then copy and paste your text on top and change this second layer to a font containing only the Stress parts. You can then exercise more control over the appearance of your text than with any other typeface of its kind; for instance, you can offset your layers for varying degrees of distress, or use separate colors for each layer. You could treat one layer with a spot varnish so the text only becomes legible when reflecting light, or foil block the stress over the hairlines. You could even use the layers independently on an acetate sheet so the text is only readable with a “decoding” sheet.

This font has many possibilities, and the specimen document intends to show some of these and how to create them.