Choosing the Correct Font

Fonts are generally comprised of letters, numbers, and symbols, to help you create attractive websites, reports, manuscripts, flyers, posters, and signs. They can be plain or fancy, bold or narrow. Some font styles come in both serif and sans serif, giving us plenty of choices when it comes to letter styles.

Many people choose a font because it appeals to their taste. Some like bold, clean lines, while others adore intricate scripts, or the charm of Old World styles. Others like fonts that resemble handwriting, or appear more whimsical. While taste does play a role in choosing fonts, there is a little more to it.

First, it depends on what you are creating. Are you making a poster or a sign that people will be reading from a distance, or while they’re moving past in a vehicle? If so, it is important to pick a bold, clear font that is easy to read. Another issue is how much copy you plan to use on a particular work. If there is a great deal of copy, choose a font that is narrow in overall width but is still bold enough to be read easily. You don’t want the page to feel crowded with verbiage, or it will overwhelm readers. They are likely to skip over important areas or not read the copy at all.

Also important is choosing fonts that reflect the message you are trying to send. A whimsical font is not appropriate for a serious message, but fanciful letter styles work great when announcing something fun. On that note, it is also wise to avoid using too many different fonts in one setting. Even if you’re trying to create a fun, festive look, overdoing the number of differing letter styles will cause your copy to look chaotic and unprofessional.

Limit your choices to between one and three fonts per page, poster, or sign, and avoid using different fonts for every other line, as doing so makes copy difficult to read. Instead, you might use one font for the heading, another for subheadings, and a different style for the main copy. The use of different fonts can help distinguish different areas or accent certain items, just try not to overdo it.

Many computer software programs include a good selection of fonts, but you can also purchase others or even download some for free online. Be careful which ones you choose and how you use them to insure that your copy is clear, easy to read, and professional looking.

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