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Brand Fonts 101

Fonts are one of my biggest design obsessions! As a branding designer, I’ve spent the past 10 years working with thousands of typefaces, refining my eye for the fonts that bring brands to life. Whether bold and modern or classic and timeless, the right font has the power to communicate personality, emotion, and professionalism at first glance. Over the years, I’ve carefully curated a collection of the best fonts the online space has to offer—each one chosen for its versatility and ability to elevate any brand’s identity.

The fonts you choose for your business influence your brand’s look and feel. The next time you’re driving around your neighborhood, pay attention to signage for different restaurants. How does the local pub’s sign differ from the sign for the high-end restaurant down the street? Fonts and styles create entirely different impressions for businesses.

A simple font choice can take your business as being perceived from cheap to high-end.

When selecting a font, it is essential to consider where and how you will use it. The number of typography options out there can be daunting, I know, but I’ve made it easy for you with this post.  You will learn about fonts and explore which ones are the best fit for your business.  If you want to dive deeper into finding the perfect fonts for your brand, I have a free guide you can access so you know you are picking just the right fonts for your brand

First things first, you should understand some font basics. Let’s start with the different types of fonts.

The typefaces you choose for your business play an intricate role in the overall look and feel of your brand. Understanding how to choose type styles with intention and selecting the right fonts that communicate your brand values can make all the difference in terms of your branding. Below I have laid out the different versions of type and their characteristics.

Visual examples of serif and sans-serif fonts used in branded mockups

Finding the Perfect Font

When it comes to your designs, fonts are like the unsung heroes that often go unnoticed. Yet, they hold the power to make or break a design, influencing how your business is perceived and who you attract as clients. As both business owners and designers, understanding the significance of fonts and investing in the art of choosing the right ones is essential for creating a high-end design experience that draws in top-tier clients.

Step one: Get inspiration (see below)

Start by gathering inspiration. Head to Pinterest or browse the websites of brands you admire. What fonts are they using? What styles stand out to you—modern and clean, classic and serif, playful and bold? Take note of what draws you in. This helps you begin to define your own visual direction.
See my favorite fonts and where to purchase them below.

Step two: Download the font

Once you’ve found a font you love, it’s time to get it into your hands. Explore font marketplaces like Creative Market and MyFonts, or use Canva’s built-in font library for ease and accessibility.
I’ve included some of my go-to resources for high-quality fonts below.

Step three: Test the font

Now, try it out. Test the font with your brand name, key messaging, or content blocks to see how it feels. Make sure it has essential variations like bold or italic for flexibility. Look at how it performs at different sizes and in different weights—it should be both beautiful and functional.I’ve included some of my go-to resources for high-quality fonts below. Most font sources will allow you to play around with the font within it’s platform.

Step four: Create a font palettes

Your brand font shouldn’t stand alone. Build a font palette with a hierarchy—typically a headline font, a body font, and maybe an accent font. Choose fonts that complement each other in style, contrast, and readability.
Need help? Scroll down for tips on pairing fonts like a pro.

Need help with this? Check out my helpful Font Library.


Pair Fonts like a Pro

The tricky part is knowing how to pair fonts together effectively.

Pairing fonts is one of the quickest ways to elevate a design—but it’s also where many people get stuck. The right font pairing can instantly make your brand feel more professional, cohesive, and intentional. But with so many fonts to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Understanding how to combine fonts in a way that feels balanced and on-brand is a skill that can take your design from DIY to designer-quality.

Here are four important tips to keep in mind when pairing fonts for your brand or next design project:

1. Create contrast, not competition.

Choose fonts that are visually different enough to stand apart, but not so different that they clash. Think serif + sans serif, or bold + light. You want contrast that complements, not competes.

2. Establish a clear hierarchy.

Assign specific roles to each font—like headlines, subheadings, and body copy—and be consistent. This helps guide your audience through your content with clarity and ease.

3. Stick to two or three fonts max.

Using too many fonts can make your design feel chaotic. Instead, keep things streamlined by sticking with a primary font and a secondary accent font (and occasionally a third if needed for special use).

4. Make sure the vibe matches your brand.

Fonts carry personality. A playful script might work for a creative brand but feel out of place in a high-end luxury business. Choose fonts that align with your brand’s tone, values, and audience.

Canva font pairings

Font Inspiration

After over 15 years of designing, I’ve come across more fonts than I can count—seriously, I could probably name 100 off the top of my head. Today, I’m sharing some of my go-to fonts that consistently elevate my design projects and give them that polished, professional feel. Scroll down to explore a curated collection of font inspiration to spark ideas for your next brand or project.

Favorite fonts right now. Typefaces to elevate your design.

WHERE TO ACCESS THE FONTS

Mangiola | Pinyon Script | Selna | Museo | Marlide | Milyuna | Printed Moments | Adrianna | Cammron

WHERE TO ACCESS THE FONTS

Marcellus | Bon Vivant | Gascogne | Poppins | Aire | Americana | Auteur | Avenir | Ivy Presto

WHERE TO ACCESS THE FONTS

Bembo | Classico | Lamar Pen | Branch | Black Mango | Carney | Pinyon Script | Botanica | Editor’s Note

list of fonts

WHERE TO ACCESS THE FONTS

Cherston | August Script | Riccione | Coax | Gotu | Cherston Script | Hot Betty | Emilea | Goldenbook


Additional Font Resources

Canva Font Guide

CREATIVE RESOURCES

Done-for-you color palettes, font pairings, and image mood boards for elevating your Canva designs.

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