Welcome to the last word information to serif fonts! Whether or not you are new to the topic or a bit extra skilled, this information will show you how to out. We’ll begin by explaining what a serif font is and while you’d wish to use one, after which we’ll have a look at some various kinds of serif fonts and introduce you to some nice examples.
What Is a Serif Font?
First issues first: what’s a serif font? And what’s the distinction between serif and non-serif fonts?
The reply is easy. Simply have a look at the instance under, and you will see that Occasions New Roman on the left has little strokes on the finish of every letter, whereas Helvetica on the proper would not.
These strokes are known as “serifs”, so Occasions New Roman is a serif font, whereas Helvetica is a sans-serif font (that means “with out serifs”).
Simple, proper? Be taught extra on this video:
Serif vs. Sans-Serif Fonts
Realizing the ins and outs of various font types is important for any budding graphic designer. On this fast video, you will study the key variations between serif and sans serif fonts.Â
Examples of Serif Fonts
What are some serif fonts which can be good to make use of in your designs? Take a look at the examples under. As you’ll be able to see, there’s fairly a spread of various kinds of elegant serif fonts. We’ll have a look at a few of these differing kinds in a while.
Uncover extra about serif and sans-serif fonts on this article:
When to Use a Serif Font
So why would you wish to use a serif font? What sort of impression does it give? We’ll reply these questions on this part, in addition to giving some examples of serif fonts in use.
Listed below are some nice causes to make use of serif fonts:
1. To Look Authoritative
Serif fonts typically have a extra conventional look than sans-serif fonts. This medical e-newsletter template, for instance, makes use of a serif font each for the headline and physique textual content to offer it an authoritative, reliable look.
2. To Make It Simple to Learn
Books with massive quantities of physique textual content, like lengthy novels, typically use serif fonts as a result of the serifs assist readers recognise every letter, particularly at small sizes. See how this elegant e book template makes use of a serif font for its physique textual content?
3. For a Retro Enchantment
Previous posters and newspapers typically used serif fonts, so if you wish to create a retro or classic look, a serif is a superb selection. Take a look at the usage of serif fonts on this classic poster template.
Kinds of Serif Fonts
As we talked about earlier, serif fonts are available a wide range of completely different types. Typically, they’re cut up into 4 differing kinds:
- Previous-style
- Transitional
- Didone
- Slab
On this part, we’ll have a look at these 4 various kinds of serif fonts and clarify the variations between them.
Previous-Model Serif Typefaces
First, let us take a look at old-style serif fonts. One of many key traits is a diagonal, wedge-style serif as an alternative of the flat serifs seen in different kinds of serif fonts. Previous-style serifs are likely to have a cultured, timeless aesthetic that makes them good for books, magazines, or different formal contexts.
Transitional Serif Typefaces
Because the title suggests, transitional serifs are a “transition” between old-style serif fonts and extra fashionable serif fonts, like Didones. They’ve extra distinction than old-style serifs, however not as a lot as Didones.
A number of the hottest serif fonts, like Occasions New Roman, are transitional serifs. They’re often extremely legible and are an important selection for the physique textual content in formal paperwork.
Didone Serif Typefaces
The title “Didone” comes from a mixture of two traditional serif fonts: Didot and Bodoni. Didone fonts are likely to have a excessive distinction, that means that there is lots of variation between thick and skinny stroke weights. You are prone to see them utilized in vogue magazines, high-end promoting, and luxurious product designs.
Use a Didone font if you wish to give your model a luxurious vibe. Listed below are some elegant serif fonts from this class:
Slab Serif Typefaces
Once more, the clue’s within the title right here. Slabs are thick and blocky, and that is what the serifs on these daring serif fonts are like. These typefaces are usually very constant and are sometimes high-impact fonts used for show functions. Basic serif fonts like Rockwell and Roboto are slab serifs.
What is an effective serif font for headlines? Attempt considered one of these great slab serif font examples:
Nonetheless wish to know extra concerning the kinds of serif fonts? Take a look at this nice article:
And if you wish to study extra about typeface classification normally, watch these two free programs:
Well-known Serif Fonts
Is Occasions New Roman a serif font? After all it’s! It is a well-known serif font, however there are additionally loads of others, like Georgia and Rockwell. We’ll have a look at some well-liked serif font examples on this part.
As a result of these fonts are so acquainted, you might wish to use a barely completely different font in your designs. So we have additionally linked to articles recommending a number of the greatest serif fonts that share a number of the key traits of those traditional typefaces.
Occasions New Roman
Some of the well-known serif fonts out there may be Occasions New Roman. It was the default font in Microsoft Phrase for a few years, and it has been utilized in a variety of tasks.
Be taught extra about Occasions New Roman and uncover some various fonts to Occasions New Roman on this article:
Rockwell
If you’re searching for traditional slab serif font examples, Rockwell is the apparent selection. It is a high-impact show font with a clear, uniform model. Listed below are some nice fonts to contemplate if you need a slight twist on the outdated traditional:
Didot
Elegant and stylish, Didot is right to be used in vogue, branding, and different luxurious design tasks.
Key traits to search for on this skinny serif font are the excessive distinction in stroke widths and the skinny, hairline serifs.
Garamond
The Garamond serif font options elegant strokes and open unfavourable areas.
Garamond can be extremely legible, making it an important selection for setting massive quantities of physique textual content. So for those who’re planning a e book or designing {a magazine}, learn the article under to search out some nice Garamond-style fonts to make use of.
Georgia
One other easy-to-read skinny serif font that is well-liked for physique textual content, Georgia is well-liked for web sites and different digital design tasks. Be taught extra right here:
Trajan
Based mostly on the classical Roman letterforms discovered on Trajan’s Column in Rome, the Trajan typeface is an attractive show serif font to make use of for headlines, film titles, and far more. Learn this information to Trajan and its options:
Fashionable Serif Fonts
We have lined lots of the perfect serif fonts on this article, however there are nonetheless loads extra on the market. Whether or not you need daring serif fonts or a condensed serif font, you could find what you want. For instance, here is a collection of six of the preferred serif fonts on Envato Parts:
Discover extra great serif font examples on Envato Parts.
