So many fonts, so little time to decide which one to pick. Still, no matter how pressed for time you may be, it’s best not to choose your font willy-nilly when you’re designing a sign or banner. Unless you’re okay with people not being able to read it, that is. The best fonts for signs and banners? Read on to learn all about them.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 … Sold!
Five to three seconds. That’s how little time signs and banners have to grab a passer-by’s attention and get their message across. Which is why sans serif fonts like Helvetica, Verdana or Futura are your number one choice here. Contrary to serif fonts, they don’t have lines attached to the end of each stroke. That makes them easier to read, especially when people are in a hurry. Along similar lines (no pun intended), frilly novelty fonts, script fonts and cursive fonts are best reserved for other advertising formats.
Softies but goodies! Soft signage is trending in wide format
Avoid mixing fonts on signs and banners
Still can’t seem to make up your mind? Whatever you do, don’t be tempted to use different fonts. A few exceptions aside, marketing professionals agree it’s best to stick to one font when you’re designing signs and banners. Mixing fonts affects legibility and, hence, tends to detract from the message your design is supposed to sell. The most effective signs and banners have a look that is clear-cut and consistent.
Size does matter
Your last task is determining the best size for your font. Knowing where the sign or banner will end up is crucial. Is your client going to hang it above their shop? In the middle of an aisle? Will it be standing next to a busy road? As a rule of thumb, fonts should be 1 inch (2.54 cm) tall per 10 feet (3 m) of viewing distance.
Inspired by Easy Signs and Printastic