10 inspirational fonts for printing business cards - MOO Blog

• Read original article here

We’ve compiled a list of 10 top fonts to help you get your brand looking its best.

Fonts are a tool that can communicate the voice of your brand. Working on abrand tone of voiceorbrand identityis one thing, but displaying that visual identity comes through in the fonts you choose in relation to the design of your brand. From serif fonts that communicate a classic look and feel to script fonts that give your brand a proprietary identity, font selection can solidify your brand in the minds of your audience.

When choosing a font for business cards for your brand, it’s important to consider how the fonts you choose will appear when printed in all colors and sizes so your information comes across loud and clear. And while some more playful fonts may look good on your screen, they may print in a way that doesn’t capture the fine-pixel details.

So what exactly are the three main types of fonts to consider for printing your business cards?

A serif is a mark (or in type lingo, a “stroke”) added to a letter or character to give fonts more structure. These fonts have a classic feel, and are most commonly attributed toold typesetting techniquesused in letterpress printing.

Literally meaning “without serif,” sans serif fonts are simplistic, modern fontstypically used in web design. The clean and simple nature of sans serif typefaces make them ideal for pairing with more ornate typography and logos.

Script fonts are fonts where theletters are connected, as if handwritten in cursive.These fonts have a dynamic feelthat naturally carry the eye through the words with their connectedness.

When selecting a font for a business card design, there are a few factors to keep in mind so that your selections look the best they can be:

When searching for the perfect font for your business cards, you’ll most likely be looking on a computer screen. When you choose your font, make sure that the text works atsmaller point sizes. When you’re finished with your business card designs, be sure to zoom out to the actual size to ensure your information text is clear.

Bold, medium, thin—these are terms describing a font weight, or relative size options of each font letter and character. Most fonts come in a variety of weights and treatments—often referred to as a font family. Some, like Book and Roman weights, are more scannable when printed versus on a digital screen. But remember, thinner and lighter fonts may not print as clearly as bolder fonts—especially at smaller point sizes.

We all want our brand to get noticed, but be sure to choose fonts that areentirely legible at all sizes, so that no detail gets lost. Sure, that fancy script might look good, but what does it actually say?

Pairing two fonts together is a science. But unlike science, you only know a font choice is right when you feel it. Play around with sans serif and serif pairings—or even script pairings—and the results may surprise you. It’s also a good idea to choose fonts with similar, or compatible, strokes and shapes as your logo design.

With those key factors in mind, we’ve put together some ace examples of fonts in all shapes and sizes to inspire you to think beyond Arial. Here’s our list of 10 inspirational fonts to get you going:

Why it works: Developed in 1913, Plantin is a classic serif typeface that has remained relevant for over a century. Its solid design and elegant spacing made way for countless modern fonts—it was even the inspiration behind the now-ubiquitous Times New Roman typeface.

Why it works for print: Most famously seen in the Monocle Magazine header font, Plantin is a true workhorse font for print of all sizes. Plantin comes in a variety of weights and styles, including light, regular, semibold, bold as well as italics. These weights allow you to call-out certain information, such as job titles, emails, or phone numbers while keeping a cohesive look for your business cards.

Why it works: Designed by Just Another Foundry, Lapture offers a quirky take on a modern serif font. Subtle geometric strokes give the rounded parts of each letter a unique look and feel. Classic yet upgraded, Lapture can communicate exactly that feeling for your personal brand.

Why it works for print: Lapture has a naturally bold type structure, which makes it suitable for printing small point sizes. It is also a legible option no matter whatkerning and trackingspace you apply to the text.

Why it works: An industry classic, Clarendon is an often-mimicked slab-serif font originally designed in 1845. The serifs in this font are bracketed, giving each letter a strong geometric presence. Clarendon is also known for its decorative letters, such as the capital Q and capital R, which all end with curved, elaborate strokes.

Why it works for print: The geometric nature of this slab-serif font make it ideal for standing out on the printed page. Using Clarendon on your business cards will surely command attention upon first glance.

Why it works: Initially released byMonotypein 1934, Rockwell is an iconic and approachable slab-serif font. Coming in a variety of weights and stylings, from bold italic to condensed, Rockwell maintains its distinct personality no matter how it’s used in designs.

Why it works for print: Like most slab-serif fonts, the strong square and rectangular serifs in Rockwell anchor the text when laid out in designs. The circular strokes on letters like ‘o’, ‘q’, and ‘p’ have a neatly circular and symmetrical quality to them that will compliment geometric designs.

Why it works: In its relatively short existence, Akkurat has made a considerable impact in the design world—being adopted on websites and print alike. It has a simple yet expressive quality to it and is able to clearly communicate messaging in the design world without alienating.

Why it works for print: Akkurat is a clean sans serif font that is the perfect partner to more elaborate typefaces. If your logo or branding treatment has loud and impressionistic notes, then Akkurat can be the clean and trustworthy counterbalance for your contact information.

Why it works: Helvetica is one of the most ubiquitous and recognizable fonts in the world—but Helvetica Neue is having its own moment in the spotlight. Having the same clean and modern characteristics of its namesake, Helvetica Neue can communicate a familiar-yet-different appeal—an upgrade on something that already has universal appeal.

Why it works for print: With a whopping total of 51 different character weights, Helvetica Neue is an extremely versatile font for those in need of a few options while maintaining a sense of consistency. While the bolder weights will appear loud and clear on a printed page, counterbalancing with a light or oblique type treatment will bring a sense of harmony to your business card layouts.

Why it works:Modeled after the iconic Futura font, Avenir is a welcome evolution of the clean, modern appeal of its predecessor. Avenir is a crowd-pleaser, with refined curves and inviting, yet sophisticated nature—perfect for font and logo pairings.

Why it works for print:A true labor of love, Avenir was designed with multiple font weights, including Book and Roman versions, giving it an advantage when used for print.

Why it works: This energetic brush script has a natural handwritten feel, thanks in part to the alternate glyph options to avoid repetition within words. The angles of this script guide the eye from left to right and provide an evocative handwritten feel, while still maintaining legibility.

Why it works for print: It would be labor intensive to handwrite your details and names on each business card you hand out. But Cortado can provide an easy alternative to giving a handwritten and human touch to your brand.

Why it works: A true alternative to handwriting, this script typeface will make even the seasoned designer do a double-take to check for wet ink. With plenty of flourishes and organic strokes, Manus creates a sense of brush writing without all the paint.

Why it works for print: As a bold brush typeface, Manus works well when printed in larger point sizes, making it ideal for names and logos that you want to broadcast. As the point size shrinks, some of the nuances start to disappear, so think of Manus as a counterweight to more modern sans serif fonts.

Why it works: A true retro script, Fabfelt provides a welcoming feel without the brushmark and grain effect common with brush strokes. But don’t let that deter you—Fabfelt is the perfect modern adaptation of classic signage we know and love.

Why it works for print: Fabfelt’s script weight is ideal for printing at all sizes, with a satisfyingly even width throughout the glyphs. There are enough script flourishes in the strokes to keep the eye engaged and will provide a recognizable and memorable appeal for your information.

So there you have it—an array of fonts and type families from the 1800s to present day. No matter how your brand evolves, there will always be a rich type heritage to draw inspiration from to match your brand voice.