When creating a design intended for print, there are many factors to consider. For one, you’ll want to make sure that the design is pleasing to the eye. You’ll also want to keep your design consistent with your branding. One of the other most important design elements to consider is a design that gets your message across clearly and easily to your consumers. Font plays a large role in doing so.
Learn some of the best fonts for printing, as well as certain factors to consider when choosing your font below.
Choosing the Best Fonts for Print Design
When it comes to choosing the right font for your design, here are some factors to consider to help make your decision.
Clear, Easy to Read Text
To get your brand’s message or important information across to the consumer, you’ll want to use text that is clear and easy for anyone to read. What is the most readable font for print? There are several. Some of which include Helvetica, Georgia, and Verdana.
To ensure your text is clear and easy to read, avoid complicated cursive fonts or fonts with unnecessary curls or other artistic touches. Not everyone can read cursive, and you’ll want something clear and simple to capture a consumer’s attention right away.
Fonts in the Same Font Family
Using multiple font styles can make your print look more interesting and pleasing to the eye. However, there is a fine line between creating the perfect contrast of fonts and a design that looks too busy without a consistent theme. To avoid the latter, use fonts in the same font family.
Font that is Consistent with Branding
When designing a print, you choose images and colors that follow your brand standards. The same rules apply to fonts. Choose fonts that match your branding. A font that doesn’t match your brand may confuse customers and may have them questioning your business’s professionalism.
If you are an elegant jewelry business, for example, you may opt for a fancy cursive font as long as it is easy to read and not overly complicated. On the other hand, a hospital may use a clean, more professional font, such as Arial.
Optimal Font Size
Popular print font sizes are 10 to 12 point font for text blocks. A headline’s font size should allow for the text to fit onto one or two lines. Additionally, if you include subheadings, they should typically be 10 points larger than your body text.
There are times, however, where you will need to use smaller font sizes. In these cases, the best font for small print is a simple, classic font that is easy for anyone to read, such as Helvetica.
Adequate White Spacing
While not directly related to font type, white space is an important element to keep in mind when placing your text onto the design. A design that is overcrowded with text is overwhelming and may discourage a consumer from focusing their attention on it. Therefore, you’ll want to use as little text as possible while still getting an accurate message across, and leave plenty of white space or space for eye-catching graphics.
Print Font Types: Serif vs. Sans Serif
When selecting the best fonts for printing, it’s important to understand the two primary font families: serif and sans serif. Each brings a different visual tone and function to your print design.
Serif Fonts
Serif fonts are distinguished by the small lines or strokes, called serifs, attached to the ends of their letters. These fonts are often seen as classic, formal, and highly readable in long-form print. Because the serifs help guide the reader’s eye from one letter to the next, they are commonly used in books, newspapers, and more traditional marketing materials.
Popular serif fonts for print include:
- Garamond – Elegant and easy on the eyes
- Times New Roman – Familiar and functional
- Georgia – Designed to be legible both on screen and in print
- Baskerville – A sophisticated option with high contrast
Use serif fonts when your design needs to convey credibility, tradition, or professionalism.
Sans Serif Fonts
Sans serif fonts, as the name implies, do not have the extra strokes at the ends of letters. These fonts have a cleaner, more modern look and are often used in contemporary branding and minimalist print layouts. They’re particularly effective for headlines, signage, and other elements where clarity and impact are key.
Common sans serif fonts include:
- Helvetica – A versatile classic with broad appeal
- Avenir – Balanced and modern
- Futura – Bold and geometric
- Franklin Gothic – Strong and readable for print
- Roboto – Contemporary with clean curves and excellent readability
- Century Gothic – Sleek and modern with a wide, minimalistic design
- Verdana – Wide spacing and tall x-height make it great for small print
- Calibri – Soft, rounded edges that give off a friendly and clean feel
Sans serif fonts are ideal for creating a modern, straightforward, and approachable impression in your printed materials.
Top 12 Fonts for Print
Choosing the right print font is about more than style, it’s about ensuring clarity, legibility, and impact. Whether you’re designing brochures, packaging, or direct mail pieces, these fonts are tried-and-true choices for print design.
1. Helvetica
A go-to for many designers, Helvetica is clean, modern, and incredibly easy to read. Its balanced letterforms and even spacing make it one of the best fonts for printing, especially in small or dense layouts.
2. Garamond
Timeless and elegant, Garamond is a classic serif font that works beautifully for print. It’s often used in books and long-form documents because it’s easy on the eyes and gives a refined, professional feel.
3. Times New Roman
While it may seem traditional, Times New Roman remains a strong choice for print. It’s formal, familiar, and reads well even at smaller sizes, making it ideal for detailed text or body copy.
4. Futura
Geometric and stylish, Futura has a clean, contemporary look that stands out in print. It’s excellent for headlines and branding materials where you want to make a strong visual impression.
5. Verdana
Originally designed for screen readability, Verdana also works well in print thanks to its wide spacing and tall x-height. It’s especially useful when clarity is critical or when printing at smaller font sizes.
6. Georgia
Georgia was crafted to look great both in print and on screens. It’s a solid serif font with generous proportions, making it a top choice for readable, polished print designs, especially when you want a slightly more traditional feel.
7. Baskerville
If you’re looking for something with a bit more character, Baskerville is a high-contrast serif font that brings elegance and formality to print. It’s ideal for upscale branding, invitations, or editorial layouts.
8. Franklin Gothic
Franklin Gothic is bold without being overpowering. It holds up well in both headlines and body text, making it a versatile option when you want something impactful but still easy to read.
9. Avenir
Avenir strikes a nice balance between geometric precision and warmth. It’s approachable, modern, and works well for everything from marketing materials to product packaging.
10. Calibri
Although often associated with digital documents, Calibri’s soft, rounded edges make it a surprisingly good font for print. It’s clean, clear, and gives off a friendly, modern vibe.
11. Roboto
Roboto blends mechanical structure with open curves, offering a crisp and modern feel that translates well into print. It’s especially effective for informational graphics, posters, and clean layouts.
12. Century Gothic
With its sleek, wide letters and minimalistic style, Century Gothic makes an impression. Best used for headings or short bursts of text, this font gives a modern, design-forward aesthetic to print pieces.
Best Fonts for Printing: FAQ
What is the most readable font for print?
Readability can depend on a few factors like font size, layout, and print quality, but some fonts consistently perform well. Helvetica, Georgia, and Verdana are widely regarded as among the most readable fonts for print thanks to their clean shapes and clear spacing. These fonts make it easy for readers to quickly scan and absorb information.
What is the best font for small print?
When working with limited space, your font choice needs to hold up at smaller sizes. Verdana is one of the top options for small print, it was designed with wide spacing and a tall x-height, making it legible even at reduced sizes. Helvetica and Roboto are also great for maintaining clarity in tight layouts.
What is the clearest font for small print?
For sharpness and clarity at small sizes, Helvetica is tough to beat. It has clean, consistent strokes and minimal ornamentation, which helps it remain clear even when scaled down. Verdana is another solid pick, especially when legibility is critical for things like disclaimers, footnotes, or fine-print product information.
What is the smallest readable font size for print?
In most print materials, 6 to 8 points is considered the lower limit for readability, depending on the font used. Fonts like Verdana or Helvetica, with wide spacing and simple letterforms, hold up better at these sizes. However, the best size for your print will also depend on your audience and how your piece will be read (handheld vs. displayed).
What is the smallest font size you should use for print?
As a general rule, avoid going below 6-point font unless absolutely necessary. For most body text, 10 to 12 points is ideal. If you need to include smaller text, such as disclaimers or technical specs, make sure it’s printed with a font designed for clarity at smaller sizes, think Verdana, Arial, or Roboto.
What is the easiest font to read in print?
Georgia, Garamond, and Helvetica are among the easiest fonts to read in print. They each offer strong letter definition and good spacing, making them reader-friendly for longer text blocks or quick-glance materials. What’s easiest can vary slightly depending on the design context, but these are reliable choices across the board.
What is the nicest font?
“Nicest” is subjective and depends on the feel you’re going for. Garamond gives an elegant, timeless vibe. Futura and Avenir have a modern, stylish edge. Baskerville adds a touch of sophistication. For something clean and friendly, Calibri or Century Gothic are great options. It really comes down to what fits your brand and message best.
Need Help Choosing the Best Font for Your Print Design? Get Started on Your Next Project with United GMG
Have a new print project in mind? Contact our experts at United GMG! We’ll work with you to create an effective design that captures the attention of your target audience and tells your brand’s story.
Contact us to get a free quote or call to speak to a United GMG representative today.
