Font Usage

How to pick the perfect Font for your next signage project.

When designing a sign a lot of attention must be paid to the fonts used for the sign. What may look like a very sophisticated or stylish font on paper could lead to illegibility on an actual sign especially from a distance. Below you will find information that will assist you in choosing the perfect font for your sign that not only legible but also a reflection of your brand.

What are the Font Families?

Each font falls into one of the following categories:

Serif

San Serif

What do Fonts Mean?

Although fonts have different appearances, it should be noted that each set carries a set of meanings and associations with it, which can be used to reinforce the message of the sign.  For example, in general, sans-serif typefaces look modern. Serif typefaces look more old-fashioned or traditional.

Fonts all give a certain “feel” to the message as well. The font COMIC SANS, for instance, gives an "amateur but friendly" impression. Next time you notice an interesting typeface, look at it and try to think of ways to describe the impression it gives: is it high-quality or cheap? Casual or stylish? Amateur or professional? Rich or poor? Conservative or anti-establishment? We would all naturally choose a different font for the Funeral Home than we would for the Circus because fonts communicate emotion. 

Moderation

Fonts should be used consistently and in moderation. In most instances, you should use a maximum of two typefaces on a sign (one for body text and one for headings). Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but using many fonts can make your sign look like a gaudy mish-mash of styles.

Legibility

While font choices are always a matter of opinion, the most important factor to consider is legibility. In every case, if the sign isn’t readable to the intended audience, a problem exists that must be solved. Font choices, as well as design and color choices have to be secondary to the purpose of the sign – which is to communicate a message.