Script Fonts
I recently reread Homer’s Odyssey and was intrigued to find out that the first printed edition, issued in Florence in 1488, was composed in type that imitated contemporary Greek handwriting, with all its complicated ligatures and abbreviations. Early printers tried to make their books look like handwritten manuscripts because printed books were regarded as vulgar and inferior products. Just as today, we often regard cheap paperbacks as inferior to hardcover books.
Over the past few years, I’ve seen a greater usage of script fonts, with some wonderful new ones to choose from. A script can add flair, distinctiveness, and personality to a project. Scripts can be a great choice for invitations and announcements, greeting cards, and book covers. Choosing the best script font can be challenging.
- Don’t use Papyrus just because your topic is ancient in some way, especially if it’s about Ancient Egypt. (Better yet, don’t use Papyrus at all)
- Don’t use Comic Sans just because your topic is humorous. (Better yet, don’t use Comic Sans at all – see above)
- Don’t use Brush Script just because your topic is about painting.
Some of my favourite script fonts are:
- Festival Script Pro if you want some whimsy and movement while retaining legibility.
- Sweetgrass Script if you want to give an organic handmade look.
- Cocktail Script if you want a retro vibe going on while you sip on your icy martini.
