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A typeface is a set of coordinated characters, comprising letters, numerals, punctuation and symbols. The terms typeface and font are now used interchangeably for digital typography, however typeface refers to the overall design or style, while font historically describes a specific size variation of a typeface.
Typefaces are divided into two main categories: Serif and Sans Serif.
Serifs are the small structural details featured at the end of the strokes forming letters and symbols. It is thought that serifs are the representation of brush marks, from when letters were brushed into stone to be carved. Typically serif fonts are used for body text, rather than sans serif fonts, as it is believed that these small elements help guide the eye in lines of long passages of text.
The term ‘sans’ is French for ‘without’, meaning a font without serifs. For printing purposes many sans serif typefaces are sometimes not ideal for large passages of text, but are highly suitable for titles, headings and other smaller areas of use. With the limited resolution of computer monitors compared to print, sans serif fonts produce a cleaner look and are considered easier to read, so have now become a general standard for screen or online use.
Display typefaces are those ‘individual’ fonts that are best used for small areas of type, ie single word headings, logotypes, initial or drop caps at the start of a sentence and other restricted uses. Most display fonts do not feature the correct character spacing present in a commercial typeface and require hand adjustment to improve spacing and visual balance.
Choosing a typeface and setting text in a suitable format, is a key concern for most print projects. Creating a strong, attractive and readable design is very important if you wish to effectively communicate your message. Attempting to fit too much text into a page will both harm your layout and lessen the impact of your written content. Selecting an appropriate typeface for your intended audience can be a critical issue, as the visual tone could seriously conflict with the information presented. Use restraint when featuring more ornate typefaces, especially for text amounts beyond an individual line or sentence and endeavour to create columns that aren’t too long to comfortably read across a page. (See Good Design for more information)
