Fonts for Branding: Free on Canva for Commercial Use
Fonts affect your content in more ways than you might expect. Apart from readability, different fonts evoke different emotions, ranging from playfulness to seriousness, and free-spiritedness to elegance. Your font choice influences how you are perceived. Consistently using the same fonts across all your social platforms plays a crucial role in establishing your identity and recognition. This extends to your email signature, presentations and, if you have one (which I suggest you should), your website.
Therefor choosing a font that you won't mind seeing a lot of is very important. Here we'll explore things to keep in mind when choosing a font.
Have a look at the accompanying list of top Canva fonts in each category, which are free to use, and learn the importance of choosing the right font for your brand.
Find these fonts on Canva
Serif and
Sans-Serif Fonts
Two fundamental font categories to understand are serif and sans-serif fonts. Serif fonts are characterized by the small decorative edges added to the edges of letters. They remind of a classic and traditional feel, professionalism and sophistication. The term "sans-serif" comes from the French "sans" meaning "without" serif.
These have a clean, modern and minimalistic appearance. Sans-serif fonts are a safer bet for the novice since they are timeless and less dependent on trends. Striking a balance between the two has become a popular approach in modern design, infusing elegance with a touch of freshness.
When choosing fonts for paragraph text, stick to sans-serif fonts, and if you decide to go for serifs, use them for headlines and logos rather.
Serif
Sans-serif
Handwritten Fonts
Handwritten or script fonts speaks to a natural or human-focused brand. Some look warm and friendly, while those with ragged edges look more edgy and urban. Consider the appropriateness of these fonts for your content, and again balance it out with a clean font to ground it with professionalism.
Monospace and Other fonts
Monospace letters have a fixed-width, meaning all letters form the same blocky shape. They offer a retro aesthetic, reminiscent of computer code. There is a plethora of artistic font categories, such as geometric, cursive, script, and more. Each has its own unique visual appeal. Fonts should enhance, not detract from, your brand's identity.
Making font and form fit together
By understanding the different font categories and their implications, you can make informed decisions to create visually captivating and impactful content. Typographic elements such as size, spacing, and alignment also significantly impact visual aesthetics and readability. Knowing when to use these in conjunction with beautiful fonts is where creativity and design thrives!
