When is serif used

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Login to make a comment. View Community Contests. Serif fonts are usually used in lengthy text, such as books, newspapers and most magazines and are the most commonly used printed typestyle due to perceived readability.

After all, when you strive to create something beautiful and remarkable to look at, the main goal is to have your message clear and readable! Sans-serif letters began to appear in printed media as early as They were popular due to their clarity and legibility in advertising and display use when printed very large or very small.

Sans-serif fonts have become the most prevalent for display of text on computer screens, partly because screens tend to struggle to show fine serif details in small type.

Some commonly used Sans-serif typefaces are Arial, Helvetica and Tahoma, but again, there are thousands more. Hot Tip: For other shorter text settings — such as titles, credits, column headings, as well as text in infographics — a Sans-serif typeface is a good choice. Its simplified letterforms are unencumbered by Serifs, which can impede the readability of characters at very small sizes.

Although there are guidelines to how to use Serif and Sans-Serif fonts, there are always exceptions to the rule. As such there are a few myths we should debunk:. Without trying to confuse the issue, there are many other fonts used and available in Easil.

There are Slab fonts, Handwritten fonts and Display fonts, the list goes on. Take advantage of it and use this post to help you determine the most effective use of a Serif or Sans-serif font… or both. Generally — your message needs to be clear and concise. A Sans-serif font is a good choice for headings and small text where clarity and readability is paramount. A Serif font is good to use on larger blocks of printed text like on a flyer.

But remember to consider the whole context, rather than just relying on a set of rules when you make your design choices. Try different font combinations and be creative! Are you all schooled up now in the difference between Sans and Sans Serif Fonts? When used properly and chosen for the right reasons both serif and san serif fonts can be effective.

It can be easy to want to choose a ton of fonts to use in your designs, but doing so can actually hurt your brand. Choosing multiple fonts for your brand can be an effective way to create hierarchy in your designs. However, choosing two fonts that have the right amount of contrast while still working together can be tricky. Online design tool Canva suggests finding fonts that have a shared quality. For example, maybe two fonts that have a similar letter height or width or fonts that are created by the same designer.

Merriweather and Merriweather Sans are a good example of two fonts that contrast each other nicely, but still feel cohesive. These fonts were both created by the same designer so they share a lot of similar qualities in the spacing and shapes of the letters that help the fonts feel more related.

A font that has multiple weights and styles such as light, semibold, bold, etc makes the font more versatile and allows you to communicate different messages throughout your designs with a single font. While serif fonts are associated with being more traditional and sans serif fonts are typically more modern, there are always exceptions to the rule.

Free Website Course. Free Course: Transform your website into your best salesperson and set up for inbound marketing success! Start Course. Website Design. What are you wearing right now? Wait, that was a little creepy. Let me reword that. What does your outfit say about you? There are also different outfits for different occasions. Some fonts are more casual and expressive, while others are more buttoned up and reserved.

So where should you start with choosing a font? The answer is simply in the name. Notice the difference in the example below. Both of these styles have their own unique personality and communicate very different messages.

Serif Fonts Say Traditional, Established, and Trustworthy Serif fonts have a history that dates all the way back to the 18th century when stonemasons would carve letters into rock. Photo Credit: Different Perspective These traits make sans serif fonts are a popular choice among many start-up and tech companies who want to give people a sense of being cutting edge and more humanistic.

Creating a website is no longer intimidating. HubSpot HubSpot is another example of a company that uses a sans serif font in their branding. This youthful font helps humanize their brand and makes their company more relatable.

Remember, a font can drastically change the way your brand is perceived by people. Apple is an interesting example of this. Choose the Font That Exemplifies Your Brand When used properly and chosen for the right reasons both serif and san serif fonts can be effective. A rule-of-thumb to follow when choosing fonts is to stick between one to three different fonts. That being said Look for a Font With Multiple Weights and Styles A font that has multiple weights and styles such as light, semibold, bold, etc makes the font more versatile and allows you to communicate different messages throughout your designs with a single font.

There are no hard set rules. Transform your website into your best salesperson and set up for inbound marketing success! Topics: Website Design. User Experience Design. Published on May 30,