Typography

There are many categories of type, and all fonts fall into one of these categories. These are: serif, sans serif, script and display. Some of these categories have sub-categories, like slab serif, or semi-serif, stencil, graffiti and more. Typefaces have different personalities and strengths and are used for a number of different purposes.

Serif fonts have little feet, which help make a font more legible. They are used in books for this reason, but they are also used in a number of other applications. Sub categories include slab-serif, which is bold and blocky, and typically more modern, old-style which is traditional and formal.

Sans serif fonts are more modern looking. They don't have the serifs or 'feet' as they are called. These fonts typically have a more simple look, sometimes geometric and generally lack embellishment. They can be rounded or squarish, and include varying stroke widths.

Script fonts are hand written fonts. These can be cursive, calligraphy, hand-printed or any number of other styles. They can have a wide variety of styles, from childish (children's printing) to elegant (Wedding invitations). Some fonts include linked letters, while others do not. Sub-categories include hand-written, graffiti, script, nuptial, and others.

Display fonts are typically more graphical, and are usually much more distinctive than other typefaces. These are usually not used for paragraphs or lengthy sentences, as they typically lack legibility and are tiring to read. They are usually very identifiable and add personality. Movie posters are often set in display fonts.