Did you know there’s such a thing as the right font for your business? It’s true, and choosing the best fonts for your business is one of the ways you create a strong brand that stands out.
Fonts are more than just a way we read text. They’re a type of psychological tool, like other graphics, and they help us communicate to the right audience. Choosing a font for your business isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated either.
What are the best fonts for different businesses? How do you know where to begin your search for the best fonts? To simplify this process, let’s break down the best fonts for specific types of businesses.
Why Does Your Font Matter?
If you’re new to the business work or graphic design, you might not recognize why fonts are so important in the first place. It’s true that good fonts go unnoticed. It’s only when they’re chosen poorly that they stick out like a sore thumb.
In reality, there’s a lot more to fonts than meets the eye. This is proven by science. According to one study about restaurant menus, the diners who received menus with fancier thoughts actually assumed the chef had greater skill.
Another study revealed that people are more likely to believe information that’s typed in Baskerville vs. Helvetica. Though it might seem insignificant, it’s clear that your font choice matters for your business.
Whether you’re creating your own business card or preparing for a trade show, you can’t overlook the best fonts. Here are the fonts to choose depending on your business type.
Serif: Traditional or Formal
If you’re in a traditional or formal profession, it’s best to stick with serif fonts. These types of fonts are when the letters have short lines coming from the edges. If you’re in a profession where you need to be taken seriously, like a publication, lawyer, medical professional, and so on, opt for one of these Serif selections:
Times New Roman
Georgia
Baskerville
Garamond
Because they’re easy to read, they’re incredibly trustworthy fonts. They’re especially good for larger volumes of text, like on a website or print materials.
Sans-Serif: Casual and Fun
Sans-serif fonts are modern and clean. They’re all about stability and reliability. These are gaining popularity in recent years, and you’ll see them in a variety of different industries like technology, media, and travel. Popular sans-serif fonts are:
Helvetica
Roboto
Calibri
Sans-serif fonts appear particularly well online and on mobile apps. They’re with all kinds of online content like blogs, personal websites, and social media.
Handwritten: Elegant and Personal
As the name implies, handwritten fonts appear like you’ve written them by hand. They can range from script fonts that resemble cursive to more casual types of writing. These are best for charities, childcare, clothing, or any type of personalized experience brand. Popular handwritten fonts are:
Noteworthy
Melany Lane
Pacifico
When choosing your font type in the handwritten category, consider the type of audience you’re trying to attract with your brand design. Something more formal should appear like cursive, while a more rushed script might be modern and upbeat.
Decorative: Quirky and Creative
Finally, decorative fonts don’t fit the norm. These are unique, and they add a lot of flair when used in design. They’re highly stylized, and no two decorative fonts look alike. Some common decorative fonts are:
Bangers
Limelight
Unkempt
Hudson, NY
Decorative fonts are creative and fun, but they’re also more casual. They’re ideal for emotional companies, children-focused businesses, and creative brands.
What Font Fits Your Business Needs?
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to fonts. Like all elements of design, you want to keep your audience in mind. Aside from that, what message are you trying to communicate? Who are you trying to reach, and what do you want to say?
Choosing the best fonts is part of creating a visual experience. It’s the first impression for your users, and it can convey a lot of emotion without a lot of effort. With most businesses choosing between 1-3 fonts for the design, make sure you’re thinking smart about your picks.