Best Practices for Combining Typefaces and Fonts

Art of Combining Fonts

Rules in Combining Typefaces and Fonts

Once you give the elements in art and design shape and form, you are free to explore different techniques, styles, and how you will go about combining typeface fonts. However, combining typeface fonts is both an art and a science, and you must understand the basics of typographic design to be able to work around and beyond the set typeface rules.

Over the years, many designers have found new ways of combining typeface points, and you should understand the tried and tested techniques to create a unique typographic structure.

In this article, we will explore some of the best typographic designs, and we also offer suggestions on the typefaces that can be paired together for excellent results in website design.

Understand the Brand and What It Communicates

Before you choose a typeface, you need to know what message you are putting across and the target audience. This will play a massive part in your content creation and presentation.

Ideally, you should choose fonts that complement your existing branding, to lower the chances of confusing the audience.

After this, you should trust your instincts when it comes to combining typeface fonts. Below are the best practices you should know and apply when it comes to combining typeface fonts.

Complementary Results

Most typefaces have been found to evoke different emotional responses from the content consumers, and this makes it necessary to only combine different fonts if they work well together. The goal when combining typefaces is to ensure that the mood of your typeface suites the mood of your design.

You should look out for the details that complement each other to create a harmonious design. For example, if you are working with a thin and elegant personality, you should pair it with something bolder.

This way, you can bring balance to the design. With that said, getting the proper combinations involves trial and error, but with time and persistence, you will pull it off.

Combining Sans Serifs and Serifs

In typography design circles, combining serif and sans serif fonts is one of the classic examples when it comes to combining typeface fonts for both print and web projects. It does not take much time to master, and it makes for excellent readability. However, you should not pair fonts with strong personalities.

While they appear similar, serif and sans serif typefaces have major distinctions, which is in the finish. The serif typefaces have slight projections that finish off stroke, for example, Garamond and Times New Roman fonts. Sans serif fonts, on the other hand, have plain and simple lines, for example, Arial and Helvetica.

More so, take Trade Gothic and Bell Gothic, for example, Trade Gothic is an elegant and dynamic font, while Bell Gothic gives off a strong presence. Combining these two fonts will not work well, and it will result in poor readability.

Create Contrast

Serifs and San Serifs work well together since they can create a visual contrast. With that said, there are several ways that you can create contrast by using size, weight, colour, style, and spacing. For example, leaner, cleaner, and thinner letters will look good when paired up with curvy and rounded letters.

Establish a Visual Hierarchy

One of the most important things to remember when combining typeface fonts in design is to create a hierarchy, and this extends to the body copy leave alone the imagery and page layouts. Arranging the text in this way allows the user to read the most important parts of your page.

To achieve proper visual hierarchy, go through the information first and mark out the parts that are most essential to your envisioned overall design. The rule of thumb is that the most important text elements need to be in larger and weightier fonts. Traditional magazines and newspapers are the perfect examples of how you should create a visual hierarchy with your content and web page design.

Limit the Number of Fonts

For every design, you should limit it to 2-3 fonts per design. This increases legibility and readability. However, there are times when your design needs elaborate font combinations. With that said, you must ensure that the overall design does not come off as cluttered and messy.

The best way to refine your font choices is to ensure that every font plays a role in your design. If you cannot find a purpose for a font, leave it out of your typography.

Consider the Context

The text that goes into the body copy depends on the project you are working on, but the bottom line is that it should be displayed in the appropriate font size to enhance readability and legibility. This is because font styles play an important part in setting the tone of the overall project.

You must align the traits of your typefaces with that of the message. However, it is perfectly okay to go with something neutral, while at times you can go with something that pops.

Assign Distinct Roles

When it comes to combining typeface fonts, you need to assign a distinct role to each typeface. You could assign a bold typeface for the headlines, a conservative font for the copy, and back to neutral for the body copy.

Ideally, they should be combined to form a cohesive design. The goal behind assigning distinct roles to the fonts is to define a typographic hierarchy that will draw the reader’s attention to the most important elements of your design.

Use Different Point Sizes

Other than creating a typographic and visual hierarchy, you need to create distinction and contrast. This is possible by varying the point sizes, and it will go a long way into improving the reading experience.

You can adjust the body copy’s size to create your preferred contrast, which will also enhances typographical hierarchy.


There are endless ways of combining typeface fonts, and the fact that there are no established rules, the process can be time-consuming. The above  practices of combining typeface fonts, will steer you in the right direction. However, be sure to experiment with different typefaces that will suit your design.

Contact us today for professional web design services in Singapore and consultation about the best typefaces for your website. We look forward to seeing your business reign supreme in your niche. 

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