Signs communicate practical information, so they must be clear and visually engaging. A well-chosen font is the easiest way to accomplish this, but choosing<\/em> a font? That\u2019s not so easy. There are thousands of options, each with subtle effects and appropriate contexts. And if that wasn\u2019t challenging enough, your sign may need to balance multiple fonts at once. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t fret! <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll walk you through the essential considerations for choosing a font for your sign and some sample fonts to start you off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good signage fonts should be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: design by <\/em>EWMDesigns<\/em><\/a> via 99designs by Vista<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we discuss these in detail, we suggest reviewing the different types of fonts<\/a> and basic typographic terminology<\/a> to understand better how fonts craft reader impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Readability is the most essential consideration when choosing fonts\u2014so basic that it\u2019s easy to overlook. The average passerby will likely be distracted, so the information should be effortless to scan. Not read. Scan.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, simple letter shapes read most clearly, like many sans-serif fonts.<\/strong> In terms of weight, narrow or thin fonts are harder to read at a distance. Decorative elements, like serifs or elaborate cursive, also affect legibility to a certain degree. All of these may be acceptable trade-offs to achieve stylistic effects as long as the message remains reasonably clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: via VistaPrint<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Signs are created to call attention to themselves, so a good sign font should draw the viewer\u2019s eye. But that doesn\u2019t mean that signage fonts should be full of decorative, overly designed gimmicks\u2014there\u2019s a fine line between eye-catching and absurd or even confusing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: by Ruaran<\/a> via 99designs by Vista<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The simplest fonts command attention by virtue of their placement and scale. For example, a single word on a blank page draws the eye through the design principles<\/a> of emphasis, contrast and white space. Display fonts specifically designed for large sizes and headline text are a safer bet. These tend to be bolder, chunkier fonts with room for special effects like drop shadows, outlines and textures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many fonts include a \u2018Display\u2019 variation within their font family. This makes even common fonts impactful for your business signs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Every font has a personality, expressed through font psychology<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond these broad generalizations, each specific typeface style will tug at subtly different emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: design by <\/em>Trisixtin<\/em><\/a> by 99designs by Vista<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n With all this in mind, choose a font for your sign whose associations match your brand personality<\/a>. Ideally, this means you should give some thought to your official brand fonts<\/a> if you haven\u2019t already done so. In addition to your overall brand, the font style should match the tone of your sign\u2019s message. If you\u2019re trying to excite the reader about a sale, a bookish serif might not be right!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although a sign might contain a single word, signs often work with multiple phrases (like the main headline, a tagline, and supporting information like location, date or prices). As a result, you may need a few different fonts, though the fewer (around three), the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: via VistaPrint<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Changing the fonts between phrases supports visual hierarchy<\/a>, making the relative importance and role of each phrase clear at a glance. Common techniques for visual hierarchy include varying the scale, placement, color, movement, direction and overall shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pairing fonts generally comes down to contrast. For example, sign designers often combine an angular sans serif headline with a fluid script subheadline, which creates a sense of interplay between the fonts. Alternatively, consider using the same font in different sizes and weights, creating contrast and<\/em> harmony at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signs that convey professionalism tend to be stylistically reserved, achieving formality through straight-to-business, frill-free fonts. At the same time, a good professional font for a sign should include subtle touches of personality to avoid coldness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: by goopanic<\/a> via 99designs by Vista<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Glober, for example, is a straightforward sans serif, but the grotesque style of the lowercase \u201cg\u201d is an unexpected touch. Likewise, Verdana may lack flair, but its rounded letters are more approachable than geometric sans serifs. If you decide on a serif font, use a bold yet familiar style like Caslon. Trajan is the more common serif used on professional signs, which is to say, it\u2019s commonly overused<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to classic fonts, you can\u2019t go wrong with a traditional serif, particularly one that varies the width of its strokes between thick and thin. Bodoni and Didot are both great examples. Not only are they classic for their association with the Vogue and Giorgio Armani logos, but they balance delicacy with strength in the shape of their letters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: by Jess Left<\/a> via 99designs by Vista<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Essentially, the division between classic and sophisticated fonts is murky. Both have unassuming, tried-and-true looks and convey confidence. For bolder signs, thick sans serifs like Italico make great display fonts. Their tall letters recall the arcing fonts of the Art Deco era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Modern fonts are generally those we associate with our current age, namely geometric sans serifs like Calibri and Dejavu Sans designed for digital screens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: Helvetica font for logo by Kaspars.Naglis<\/a> via 99designs by Vista<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But modern doesn\u2019t always correlate to recent and trendy typefaces. For example, Helvetica has been the face of New York City\u2019s public transit signage since the 50s. Despite its age, we consider it modern because of its association with busy, urban life. Although modern fonts aim for sleek minimalism, weightier variations make great display fonts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elegant fonts embrace decoration so long as the effect is tasteful, mature and composed. Typically thin and light, these fonts seem to float on air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: by Viktoria Stalybka<\/a> via 99designs by Vista<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cursive, script fonts like Bambusa Pro<\/a> reign supreme here. But because their elaborate style can get in the way of legibility, ornate scripts generally don\u2019t make the best headline fonts. At the same time, gentler scripts like Monotype Cursova keep their flourishes at a minimum. For an elegant display font, consider a decorative serif like Nevrada<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rustic fonts, perfect for signage fitting a rural, down-to-earth aesthetic, typically incorporate rough hand-drawn, weathered textures and blocky letters. Vintage styles reminiscent of the Old West, especially slab or Tuscan serifs, are common\u2014though an exaggerated Western style can easily turn cartoonish). Clarendon is the classic example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: by Yokaona<\/a> via 99designs by Vista<\/em> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For a militaristic aesthetic, like a fitness bootcamp sign might use, stencil fonts are common, and a modern variation like Mind the Gap avoids a too-uniform look. Rock Salt offers an unadorned hand-written style. Bant Achillers, by comparison, gives the best of both worlds, combining an angular style with soft cursive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a custom hand-lettered sign isn\u2019t an option, decorative fonts are the next best thing. Decorative fonts are designed to be singular and creative\u2014as such, they\u2019re a diverse bunch. Some mimic analog, hand-drawn effects, like Ginchiest and Atomic Marker. Others, like Brinca and Gerova, combine digital font styles with clever twists. Many are even designed for specific contexts, like the Halloween style of Ghost Flames<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: via VistaPrint<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Decorative fonts are essentially display fonts, though not all display fonts are decorative! While novelty is their greatest virtue, their flashy and trendy gimmicks don\u2019t fit every brand. Also, trends come and go\u2014if you depend on your sign for the long haul, go for a more timeless font.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Given the important messages signs convey, well-chosen fonts are essential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fonts dictate how clearly a sign reads and how it feels, even in the absence of imagery and color. A great deal of intuition goes into choosing fonts, but an understanding of your brand, your sign\u2019s purpose and tone, and the way fonts communicate beyond words will guide you. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBest fonts for signs: everything you need to know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What makes the best font for signs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPrioritize readability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKeep things eye-catching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTip<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Let personality shine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStrive for harmony and balance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe best fonts for signs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Best professional fonts for signs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Best classic fonts for signs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Best modern fonts for signs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Best elegant fonts for signs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Best rustic fonts for signs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Best decorative fonts for signs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Find a font for your sign today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n