What are the best fonts to use on signage? Which font is easiest to read? To answer these questions, we asked our professional graphic designers what they consider to be the best fonts for sign-making. Choosing the right font can be complicated and overwhelming, so we compiled all the information needed in this article.
Table of Contents
- Font Categories
- Best Fonts for Signs
- 11 Tips for Using Fonts
- Can You Pick What Font Works Best?
- FAQs
Font Categories
Fonts are categorized into serif, sans serif, script, cursive, text, and novelty, each serving various design needs. Here’s a quick overview of each type:
- Serif – These fonts have “tails” or small lines at the ends of each letter. They offer a classic and traditional feel, and are often used in formal and professional texts, like in books or newspapers.
- Sans serif – Sans serif fonts are the opposite of serif fonts. They don’t have any extra lines at the end of each character and have a clean and simple look, which makes them suitable for signs and digital content.
- Script – Script fonts look similar to handwriting. They offer a personal and elegant touch, and are usually seen in formal designs, invitations, or logos.
- Cursive – Cursive fonts are flowing, connected letters. They’re great for decorative projects, but they can be hard to read if used for main texts.
- Text – Text fonts are designed to look really old-fashioned, like Gothic and medieval letters. They are usually seen in certificates and formal event invitations.
- Novelty – Novelty fonts have a fun, playful, and creative appearance. They are a great choice for posters and branding, especially if you want to grab the attention of readers or if you’re following a specific design theme.
Best Fonts for Signs
What is the best font for a sign? For most large-format signs, our designers recommend using any of the following fonts:
| Font Name | Typeface | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Helvetica | Sans serif | Business signs, directional signs, corporate banners |
| Futura | Sans serif | Event banners, promotional signs, large format banners |
| Bebas | Sans serif | Sale banners, outdoor advertising, event signage |
| Avenir | Sans serif | Retail signs, marketing banners, product promotions |
| Proxima Nova | Sans serif | Trade show displays, brand banners, digital signs |
| Arial | Sans serif | General signage, office banners, informational signs |
| Open Sans | Sans serif | Wayfinding signs, instructional banners, safety signs |
| Franklin Gothic | Sans serif | Attention-grabbing banners, headers, outdoor signs |
| Montserrat | Sans serif | Event signage, promotional banners, storefront signs |
| Optima | Sans serif | Formal event banners, corporate signs, upscale signage |
| Myriad | Sans-serif | Brand signage, conference banners, business signs |
If the font you originally chose isn’t on our list, don’t worry — it doesn’t mean you chose wrong. Remember, these were the most common answers found in our survey.
Side note: Our designers also revealed their bottom three fonts to use for signs, which are the following:
- Comic Sans
- Papyrus
- Any script font
Steer clear of these fonts if you want your sign to be readable. If you love design humor as much as we do, check out this SNL skit about the Papyrus font.
Most people first encounter fonts in school using programs like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, leading them to believe they’re limited to default fonts like Times New Roman and Arial. In reality, there are many fonts available for download or purchase that you can use for your marketing collateral. When picking a font for your signage, consider costs as many fonts are interchangeable. Investing in a pricier font may be worthwhile for website or brand consistency, but you can also use the fonts licensed to the software you’re using.
11 Tips and Tricks for Using Fonts
Besides font recommendations, our designers also shared tips to help you choose the right font whenever you make a signage or any marketing print product. Keep these tips in mind when deciding on which fonts you should use to execute your design.
- The best fonts are the classics. The top five fonts selected by Signs.com’s design team are Helvetica, Futura, Bebas, Avenir, and Proxima Nova. Arial and Times New Roman are also great!
- Stay away from Comic Sans, Papyrus, script, and grunge type fonts in most situations, as they convey an unprofessional appearance.
- Refrain from using more than three fonts on a single sign. It can be tempting to use various fonts when creating your design, but the best practice for designing is that one or two fonts are enough for a well-balanced and cohesive design.
- White space is your friend! Keep this in mind as you design with fonts, images, and anything else you use. There’s no need to fill every single inch of a canvas. Let there be white space or blank space to let your design breathe and keep it balanced.
- Readability is your priority. If you’re unsure whether your font is readable and looks good, have a friend or coworker look for a second opinion.
- When designing large banners, go for sans serif fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, and Bebas. These fonts are the easiest to read and are great for enhancing the impact of large-format signs like banners, decals, aluminum, and plastic signs. For the best readability, our designers recommend using big, bold text with a dark color on a light background.
A large format sign with a bold sans serif font - Make sure your sign is readable from different distances. A sign typically has 10 feet of viewing distance for every inch of letter height on the sign. So, if the text on your sign is four inches, that would make it readable for most people from about 40 feet away.
- For small format signs like stickers and door hangers, you have the flexibility to choose between serif and sans serif fonts. Our designers recommend using sans serif fonts for headings and large text, while serif fonts are suitable for smaller text and paragraphs. Formal businesses like law firms and government offices use serif fonts for their text, but others have used sans serif fonts, too.
Image of a small format postcard that correctly utilizes serif type. - Use colors that contrast well and are not similar in value. Stick to a black or dark grey font color on light backgrounds or a white font color on a dark background. Other color combinations may work but may end up being more difficult to read or suggest a certain mood. For example, fonts in red can work in messages like promos and sales, but they also convey a sense of urgency and emergency.
- Use bold fonts wisely. Keep in mind you don’t need to make the whole sign bold, but you can just emphasize the most important part of the sign to enhance visibility. Bold fonts are ideal for large signs and are also suitable for short and important statements like “FOR SALE” and “Everything Must Go.”
- Consider the purpose of your sign. If the goal of your sign is to inform people, use clear and readable sans serif fonts. For promotional signs, choose bold, unique, and eye-catching fonts that evoke a sense of urgency or excitement. If the sign is for a formal event, pick elegant serif fonts that fit the occasion. Remember, the right font choice will help get your message across and make a lasting impression to your audience.
Can I Pick Which Font Works Best for Me?
Let’s look at four different signs with the same exact design but with different fonts.
Image D features the best font for a banner — a sans serif bold for maximum visibility. Images A and C, which used a script font and Comic Sans respectively, look unprofessional and are hard to read. Image B, which used a serif font, looks decent but more suitable for small formats. More details on why Image D is the right font choice will be explored in this blog post.
While there are multiple fonts available, the best fonts for your signs and banners ultimately depend on your sign’s purpose. When choosing fonts, remember to focus on readability. The right font should help your sign stand out, effectively communicate your message, and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
FAQs
What’s the difference between serif and sans serif fonts?
The difference between serif and sans serif fonts lies in serifs, which are small tail-like lines at the characters’ ends. Times New Roman is a popular serif font while Helvetica is a sans serif that’s also known to many designers. Sans serif fonts are typically the best types to use for large signage due to their clarity, but they are also suitable for smaller formats and prints.
What is an elegant font for signs?
If you want your sign to have a touch of elegance, choose script fonts that resemble calligraphy, whether created with a pen, brush, or by hand. Some examples are Pacifico, Lobster, Allura, Alex Brush, and Parisienne, which work great for events, invitations, cafes, restaurants, salons, and more. While script fonts look visually appealing, remember to exercise caution when using them, as they could be difficult to read if they’re heavily used in large blocks of text. Script fonts are more suitable for short words or phrases and larger sizes.
What font is best used for decorative signs?
If you want to add character to your sign, decorative fonts are the perfect choice. Decorative fonts have a theme and are composed of various shapes and elements. Some examples include Cooper Black, Gilroy, and Gazpacho. Decorative fonts are often used for identifying a brand and are often seen in logos, headers, signs, merch, and more. Remember to use them sparingly in body text, as they will look cluttered and unreadable.
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