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Serif vs Sans Serif

Today's blog posting is to help people select the best font type for the purpose. Do you know the difference between Serif and Sans Serif? I'll show you a cool trick to make it easier to pick the right font when you need it.

First let's go over the difference between the two major font types.

Serif Fonts

Serif fonts are widely used for body text because they are considered easier to read. Some common font families include Cochin, Palatino, Times and Times New Roman.

A Serif font has a small line attached to the end of a stroke in a letter or symbol.

Sans Serif Fonts

Sans-serif fonts are often used for headlines rather than for body text. Some well-known font families include Arial, Futura, Geneva, Lucida Grande, Monaco, Helvetica, and Verdana.

A Sans-serif font is one that does not have the small projecting features called "serifs" at the end of strokes.

Visual Reference (Cheat Sheet)

Here's a clear visual difference between a Times New Roman and Geneva Fonts in 24 points:

Precorrectness Nell Poisoning

Font Book

On the Macintosh computer all the fonts are stored in a central location and control by the Font Book app.

Font Book2

Did you know that you can create a Smart Collection of font classification? This would make life a lot easier when your looking for that perfect headline font.

  • Simple steps to create a Sans Serif Font
  • Type in Command - . and search for: Font Book
  • Under the File menu, select 'New Smart Collection' or 'Headline'
  • Under Collection Name, put in 'Sans-serif'
  • Change the 'Family Name' to 'Design Style' and select 'San-Serif'
  • Click 'Ok'

You should see the new Collection under the 'Smart Collection' group. When you select it you will only see the San-Serif font families. (You could make a Smart Collect for Serif)

Design Style

Now when your looking for a Headline font, you know which fonts are the best. By using 'Headline' as the Collection name, you don't have to remember which design style works best for headlines or body.

The good thing about using the Smart Collection is that I don't have to manage the folder. Fonts are automatically selected, even new ones that get added to the Font Book.

You can do some pretty cool things with fonts:

Skyline
This is a Skyline Font.

 

Comments

Nilanjana Bose Didn't know the difference between Sans-serif and Serif fonts, thanks, interesting to know! here from the A-Z and well done on a great S post. Nilanjana. Ninja Minion, A-Z 2016 Madly-in-Verse

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About

As someone who has worked on Macs since 1989, I will use my experience to share tips and tricks with you on Fridays. As a Mac user since 1989, I have seen the evolution of Mac software and hardware, and I know how Mac computers work. I also know how to troubleshoot and fix Mac problems that can arise.

Schedule

WednesdaySnagIt for QA
ThursdayPython
FridayMacintosh
SaturdayInternet Tools
SundayOpen Topic
Monday Media Monday
TuesdayQA