The best typography fonts for catalogs and brochures
In any design, the right typography font can really make a big difference. But picking the right font is a lot easier said than done. There are tons to choose from, so how do you know you’re making the right choice?
Well, believe it or not, there are a few guidelines that we can give you. But before we get started, remember that each publication is different. Depending on your purpose for the publication, these tips and guidelines may or may not be useful to you. But if all you’re going after is a good looking publication, then we’ve got you covered.
Let’s do this!
The best typography fonts for magazines
Something like a digital magazine can have many different types of typography fonts. Depending on who you ask, you might get a different answer for the best one to use. Within the magazine publishing industry, there are even preferred typography fonts for each genre.
But, don’t freak out too much. We’ve already covered the best magazine fonts in another article. It’s very in-depth, and I’m sure you’ll find something useful.
Let’s move on to publications that we don’t talk about as much.
The best typography fonts for catalogs
The key to picking a good typography font for a digital catalog is to find something that’s legible even at smaller sizes. You never know how small you’ll have to go with the text, so the best thing to do is to pick something that’s simple.
So now, your only question is: What’s simple, looks good, and works in smaller sizes? Here are a few good ones:
Helvetica
Helvetica is always a safe choice for most publications. It’s simple, good looking, and it’s easy to get. To be perfectly honest, Helvetica is a pretty safe option for your catalog. It’s nothing special, but it’ll do the trick if you’re wanting to pull off a corporate/luxury style catalog.
Futura
Believe it or not, futura by Paul Renner is already over 90 years old. It’s still in use quite a lot today, so that should tell you just how well it works. Your catalog can only benefit from using such a timeless typography font. I think it will work especially well with a tech catalog.
Verdana
Verdana is famous for its use in logos like Microsoft, but it certainly is an eye catcher. This sans serif font is simple, but very appealing to look at. It’s smooth, but it offers just enough of an edge to stand out. Quite simply, it’s a great free choice for typography font in your catalog.
Noto
Noto sans is a free Google font that anyone can get ahold of easily. This is the same font the Ikea chose to use in their 2020 catalog. It would be great for just about any catalog design, as it’s extremely simple.
Optima
Optima is a very unique font that can be found in many famous logos around the world. One of the most notable ones being Aston Martin. But, it can also be used for catalogs. Personally, it really reminds me of a lot of the cosmetic catalogs you see nowadays, so I think it’d be perfect for something along those lines.
Best typography fonts for brochures
For brochures, the name of the game is eye-catching. A good brochure typography font will both complement the contents of the brochure and grab the attention of the reader. So, you really could say that there are infinite possibilities when it comes to picking a good brochure font.
But, that’s not why you clicked on this article, is it? Even though the sky’s the limit with brochure fonts, I live and breathe examples, so here are some of my favorites.
Impact
Impact is a classic and powerful font. It’s a sans serif font that takes charge of any publication it’s printed on, which means it’s perfect for catching the attention of any reader. It would work well with anything with an elegant vibe, but it should only be used as a header. As you can see in the image, the headers look great, but the body text starts to blend together.
Pontiac
Pontiac is one of those playful sans serif fonts that works well with a lot of things. It’s simple enough, but it still brings a lot to the table with its rounded style. For me, it puts off a very retro vibe, but that’s not to say that it wouldn’t work well with a lot of other brochure styles, too.
Pacifico
Pacifico is a beautifully designed script font that adds a little personal touch to any publication it’s featured on. Script fonts don’t work well with every brochure, but if you’re looking to add a little extra flair to your design, then Pacifico is a great choice.
Moon
Moon is a very simple yet unique font. It’s easy to read, which means that it makes for a great font for a brochure. It could work well as a header or body text. It doesn’t really matter how you use it, it’ll look great.
Franklin Gothic
Franklin Gothic is big, bold, and blunt. It’s absolutely perfect for grabbing someone’s attention. You may not want to use this as body text on your brochure, but as a header, it would do just fine. No matter what kind of brochure you’re creating, this typography font will work well.
Sans Serif vs Serif
We’re all pretty familiar with sans serif and serif fonts at this point. But, just in case you’re a little fuzzy in this department, take a look at the image below:
Now, as you can see, there are some major differences in these two fonts. You could boil it all down to preference, but does using one over the other really make a difference? As it turns out, yes.
Basically, it all comes down to whether you plan to print your publication or keep it digital. Sans serif fonts are typically reserved for digital publications, as they implement more of a design element. Basically, they’re very pleasing to look at.
The classic serif font is used more in printed publications. With the aid of the extra notches and details, they help guide the reader’s eyes across the page, from one word to another.
Frequently asked questions
Font choices significantly impact reader retention and engagement by affecting readability and the overall aesthetic of the brochure or catalog. A well-chosen font can make the text more accessible and enjoyable to read, leading to higher engagement levels. Fonts that are too complex or hard to read can deter readers, while those that are too common might not capture their interest. The right font enhances the message’s delivery, encouraging readers to spend more time with the content.
Yes, certain color combinations with fonts can significantly enhance readability and the aesthetic appeal of catalogs and brochures. High contrast between text and background, such as black on white or white on dark blue, improves readability. Colors can also be used to evoke emotions or highlight important information. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the color palette complements the font style and aligns with the brochure’s overall design theme to create a cohesive and attractive layout.
Licensing and font availability are critical considerations in selecting typography for commercial projects. Designers must ensure that they have the appropriate rights to use a font commercially to avoid legal issues. Some fonts may require the purchase of a license, while others might be freely available for commercial use. Availability can also be a concern, especially for unique or custom fonts that may not be widely supported across all platforms and devices, potentially limiting their use in diverse applications.
To sum it all up
Typography font is a different realm of design all on its own. You can load up your publication with beautiful visuals, striking colors, and the best content you can ever imagine, but if the font is off, then the whole thing is off.
These fonts above are always a safe bet. That being said, the typography font should always depend on the content of the e-commerce catalog or digital brochure. Not to mention, you have to stay on brand at all times. It can be a tricky process, but I promise that the right font will send your publication leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.
