When putting together your artwork for your business, one of the most crucial aspects of it will be choosing the right fonts. Choosing the perfect font pairing can make or break a design, so it's important to know how to choose the right fonts that work together. In this blog, we'll explore some tips for font pairing that can help you create more compelling designs.
1. Contrast is key
When chosing your fonts, it's essential to consider contrast. You want to choose fonts that complement each other but still have a visual difference. This contrast will help ensure that your text is readable and engaging. One good example is to pair a serif font with a sans-serif font. The different shapes of the letters will provide a clear visual contrast, making it easier to distinguish between the two.
IMAGE: Difference between a Serif and a Sans Serif font.
2. Consider the mood, tone and application
Different fonts can convey different emotions and tones. For instance, a script font can feel romantic or whimsical, while a bold sans-serif font can be more modern and assertive. Understanding the mood and tone of the project you're working on can help you choose the right font pairing to match. If you're working on a professional or formal design, you might want to consider pairing a serif font with a sans-serif font to create a polished look. It's also important to consider where you plan to use your designs too - Serif fonts work great in newspapers, magazines and books, as they are easier to read in print - whereas Sans Serif fonts are more widely used on the Web.
IMAGE: Xclusively Jaguar Magazine is an e-magazine predominantly read online. For that reason, I opt for Sans Serif fonts for the body text.
3. Don't use too many fonts
Using too many fonts in one design can be overwhelming and can detract from the message you're trying to convey. Limiting yourself to two or three fonts can help you maintain consistency and clarity in your design. Additionally, using too many fonts can make your design appear cluttered, confusing, and very unprofessional. Stick to a simple font pairing that will make your design stand out.
IMAGE: I think we have all seen a poster or flyer like this! As exciting and creative as you might think it is, throwing in too many fonts makes your work look too busy, leaving it difficult and confusing to read. Customers won't know where to focus and will likely give up!
4. Test your font pairings
Before settling on a font pairing, it's essential to test how they work together. Play around with different combinations and see how they look in different sizes and styles. You may find that the pairing looks great in headlines but doesn't work well in body text. Testing your font pairings will help you find the best combinations for your design and ensure that your text is readable and visually appealing. It's always worth showing these combinations to friends and family, who might spot something you didn't...
IMAGE: We often see these kind of mishaps shared on our social media or on the internet. If you fancy a giggle (or ideas of fonts NOT to use) check out some more from ebaumsworld
5. Know where to look - and keep it legal!
The final tip I would like to share is ensuring that you use fonts that won't get you into any legal issues! I have had many clients come to me wanting artwork completed in their chosen font - but it turned out their fonts were NOT free to use for commercial work. Just because you were able to source and download a font for free, doesn't meant that you can use it for free. Some of my favorite places to look for fonts that are free for commerical use are Creative Fabrica and Google Fonts. For those with Adobe access, they also have a fantastic selection of fonts you can use. Of course there are lots of other places which I will write about at another time, but wherever you choose to use your fonts from, please make sure you check what the fonts are licensed for! If you want to purchase a license but will be outsourcing your design work, make sure you are aware of additional fees you may need to pay for your designer to use that font.
In conclusion, font pairing is an essential aspect of graphic design, and it's important to choose the right combination of fonts that work together. Remember to consider contrast, mood and tone, limit the number of fonts, test your pairings, and keep it legal! With these tips, you'll be able to create beautiful designs that stand out and capture the attention of your audience.
If you are still struggling for ideas or need some inspiration, sign up to my newsletter and be the first to read my next article. Alternatively, if you are looking for someone to support with graphic design for your business then please contact me to discuss further.
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Esta-Jane Middling
07932 928 418
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