Sans serif fonts
Sans serif fonts have no serifs. Serif means “feet” in French. Serif fonts have extra lines at the end of letters to help the eye read the letter correctly. The lines appear at the bottom of the capital letters on the first letter of each word.
Serif fonts are designed for easy reading on computer screens. Most serif fonts on websites were designed in the 1990s. But sans serif fonts have been around since the late 1800s.
In the early years of the 20th century, when most people used typewriters, serif fonts were needed for the best print quality. However, many people now prefer to read in large print books because they find serif fonts look too heavy. Sans serif fonts are sometimes described as ‘humanist’.
There are many sans serif fonts, including Helvetica (one of the most commonly used fonts today), Gill Sans, Optima and Arial. There are many different weights and styles of sans serif fonts, as well as numerous sizes.
FAQ
What are the differences between serif fonts, sans serif fonts, and monoline fonts?
Serif fonts have a little tail which sticks out at the bottom of each letter. Sans serif fonts have no serifs. Monoline fonts have a single line down the middle of each letter.
How do I know which font to use?
You should look at the website for your chosen magazine, or book, and see what they have in the way of fonts. You should also see if the printer/publisher has any specific requirements.
Why should I use a certain font?
There are many different reasons, but one of the most important is legibility. Fonts that are easy to read are important for the message to be understood. However, they must not look too busy. The typeface should be legible and clear.
What is the difference between a regular font and a bold font?
A regular font is normally the normal weight, whereas a bold font is the extra boldness. A bold face is used to emphasize text. For example, you might use a bold font for headlines or to highlight a key point.
What does bold mean in a font?
It means the letter is a little bit larger than the normal size. This is because it contains a lot of information in a small space.
What are different types of typefaces?
You can describe typefaces as:
• Regular – which usually has a regular shape, like Times New Roman.
• Bold – which is a bolder version of a regular font.
• Italic – which looks like it is written in italics, like Baskerville.
What does italic mean in a typeface?
It means the letters are slanted. It is common to find italic fonts in magazines, newspapers and books. It can also be used to emphasize parts of a sentence or paragraph.
Can you use italic fonts for all your text?
Yes, there are two main reasons why you might want to use italic fonts. One is to add interest to your writing. For example, you might use italics to emphasize a quote, or to put a name in quotation marks. The other reason you might want to use italics is to make a word look like it is written in another language. For example, you might use italics in a recipe to make a foreign word look more like it is spelt in French.
What font should I use for headings?
For headings, you usually want to use a large, bold font, but you do not always want a very bold typeface. A good balance is to use a typeface with a medium boldness.
How do you decide which font to use?
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a font. Some of the main things to think about are:
• Readability – a good font should be clear and easy to read.
• Design – you may want to use a specific font to fit the design of a piece of work.
• Typeface – a font should be appropriate to the style and content of a piece of writing.
How can I choose a typeface?
To help you choose a typeface, you can look at the font used in your magazine or newspaper.
• The size – you may be able to choose a font which is available in a variety of sizes, or you can have a designer create a font specifically for you.
• The style – you may want a particular font that is similar to the font of the company you are dealing with.
• The content – the font should be suitable to the type of content you are writing about.
How do I know whether my font is the right size?
The best way to find out is to buy a font in the size you need and compare it with the one you are using.
How can I choose the right size of font?
The size of your font depends on the size of the typeface. Some fonts come in different sizes, so check this out first. Some fonts, such as Comic Sans MS, come in regular and bold versions. This means that you can buy the typeface in two different sizes.
How do I use italics and bold?
Italics and bold are part of the typeface, so you do not have to use a separate font to create them. However, they can be useful for emphasizing certain words or parts of a sentence.