Script fonts are beautiful and provide an attractive way to add a touch of elegance to invitations and book covers. However, ornamental typefaces can be deceptively hard to use, and it is entirely possible to have too much of a good thing. When used incorrectly, script fonts can be hard to read and turn off the very people you want to impress. Since a well-placed script font can bring a page to life, use these strategies to know when and how to use them properly when you designing your marketing collateral.
Is It Okay to Use a Script Font? The Ultimate Guide
Script fonts and other ornamental typefaces can make a design stand out when you use this guide to incorporate them correctly.
Purpose of the Design
When choosing a font, it is always important to take into consideration the purpose of your design. While a script font might look overly fussy on an official business document, using this type of font on a wedding invitation adds both a sense of formality and romance that is perfect for the occasion.
Book covers, greeting cards and short titles that need extra flair are a few places where a carefully prepared script can make a difference. However, you will want to stay away from script fonts in any document that demands easy readability or that requires a serious tone.
Read: What’s the Difference Between Typeface and Font?
Using Scripts In Titles
Scripts tend to be more acceptable when they are used in titles. This is because the flowing, decorative letters look better when they are used in a higher point size. Since they tend to attract a lot of attention, using a script in a title on simple background makes it stand out. For example, you may see a title typed in script on the single-color cover of a romance novel or as a standalone line heading the top of an invitation.
All Caps?
Never type a script in all caps. First of all, anything typed in all caps tends to be associated with yelling per etiquette standards for texting and email. Beyond that, script in all caps makes it impossible to see the delineation between words. Since script fonts are designed to flow together like handwriting, using all caps detracts from the true purpose and instead comes off as a stilted line of confusing text.
Stick With a Single Script
With script fonts, less is best. While the ornamental nature of the script tends to make designers want to get creative, mixing typefaces will quickly clutter up a page and lead to confusion. Staying consistent with your design increases readability by allowing the viewer’s eyes to pick up patterns in the font. If you absolutely must add contrast, then stick with the same font family but alter the size of the different headings or make one bold.
Read: 4 Greeting Card Design Tips
Give Them Space
It is also important to give scripts more space on the page than you would other types of fonts. Since most scripts involve connecting letters, this usually means that you will need to pay attention to the line height. Once you type your text, give it a good look to check for crowding, and play with the amount of space on the page until you find the right balance for readability. The old rule to keep it simple is the best way to utilize script in your designs.
Remember, that less is more and you can use this decorative typeface in your designs with confidence.