Most of us encounter signage on a consistent basis throughout our day. While it may not be something you think about often, fonts have a significant impact on the message conveyed by that signage. Not only does a font need to be clear so it can be easily read, but it also sets the tone, mood, and more importantly reinforces a brand. Here are 3 reasons why fonts are important in signage.
- Readability – Signage needs to be legible, as the number one purpose of a sign is to communicate something with your audience. It needs to be clear and large enough for your audience to read. When choosing a font, think about where people will be when they read it. On a screen, walking up to a building, or even driving in a car? The faster the audience is traveling, and the farther away they will need to see it, the larger the font should be. When it comes to readability it’s also important to pick a background color that helps the font stand out. Bottom line: make sure people can read your sign without too much squinting and effort.
- Style, Tone & Mood – The right font will reinforce your brand and image. Some fonts are bold and loud while others are soft and subtle. Some are playful and whimsical, while others are serious and straight forward. It is important to take font choice seriously, as we often underestimate how much influence a font has in setting the tone for a space. Think about your brand and make sure the font matches the tone of it. If you look back through history and see different eras when fonts were popular, you can trace them back to how the style reflects the overall mood of the times. Also, consider your audience. The font you choose for a children’s store will probably be different than font for an upscale restaurant or professional office building.
- Cohesiveness/Consistency – Is the sign part of a larger campaign or meant to stand alone? When multiple signs are part of a single system, or shared with other signs in the same space, font should remain consistent throughout or be coordinated in a way to complement one another. If you have a header and subtext you can differentiate the two using different fonts, but make sure they complement each other.
Font selection is an important part of creating effective signage. For more insight about the benefits of great signage, read our blog post, Why Campuses Should Take Their Signage Seriously.
Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, Adler Display brings over 78 years of experience to its clients in need of recognition displays, lobby and corporate interiors, custom exhibits, historical timelines, trade show displays, and signage and graphics. For more information about Adler Display, please visit our website at www.adlerdisplay.com or call us at: 855-552-3537.