Popular Font Types & When to Use Them

Choosing the right font is an essential part of good design, whether you’re branding your own business or creating your wedding day aesthetic. Much like the clothes you wear & the furniture in your house, the right font says a lot about who you are or what your brand is about. 

Wondering what font to use for your next project? We’ve got you covered. We’ll be giving you a quick break down of the 4 main types of fonts, what emotions they evoke and some examples of them in action. By the end of this article you’ll be able to pick a font that is perfect for your design.

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SERIF

Created back in the 15th century by the Romans, serif fonts are thought to be the most traditional type of font. A serif font will include small divots at the top or bottom of each letter; some call these divots “feet”. This style of font is typically used in print settings, such as in books, newspapers, or anything with long blocks of print.

Serif fonts typically imply the following characteristics:

  • Traditional

  • Reliable

  • Mature

  • Formal

  • Practical

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SANS SERIF

San serif fonts do not have any embellishments on the ends of each letter and therefore take on a much more streamlined shape. This font type became popular during the Modernism movement in the 20th century, which is why they are most often described as being a “modern” typeface. Due to them being both versatile and easy to read, sans serif fonts are used heavily in web design.

Sans Serif fonts typically imply the following characteristics:

  • Clean

  • Modern

  • Strong

  • Chic

  • Progressive

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SLAB SERIF

Part of the serif family, slab serif fonts have thicker, more block-like serifs at the end of each letter that make it quite distinct and remarkable. They became popular in the 19th century due to their bold appearance, which was ideal for large headlines and advertisements but not so much for body text.

Slab serif fonts typically imply the following characteristics:

  • Confident

  • Solid

  • Bold

  • Contemporary

  • Impactful

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SCRIPT

A script font is any type of font that mimics handwriting; many script fonts connect to form cursive, while others are separate to mimic casual handwriting. Typically, script fonts are either formal or casual. Formal script fonts are characterized by their big curls and are often used for upscale wedding invitations, book covers, and other more traditional designs. Casual script fonts are less decorative and more simplistic, making them a popular choice for logos, posters, websites and more.

Script fonts typically imply the following characteristics:

  • Personal

  • Creative

  • Elegant

  • Feminine

  • Stylish

WHERE TO FIND YOUR PERFECT FONT

Now that you have an idea of the different types of fonts & how each kind is typically used, you’re probably curious about where to find your perfect font. We recommend checking out websites like Dafont.com or Google Fonts where you can find hundreds of downloadable fonts free for personal use.

Once you’ve browsed around and selected the best font for your design, our team is ready to help you turn your design into reality.

DESIGNGuest UserLaser Cut Co.Fonts, Typography, Design