Becoming more popular in the 19th century, display and decorative fonts are extensively everywhere in many advertisements and posters. Those decorative typefaces and typography have effectively delivered aesthetically creative and stunning results. 

Reading through this article, you will discover more about this decorative type of font and how you can apply them successfully in any of your creative design projects. 

Decorative Fonts

Generally speaking, we can describe decorative fonts as having several features, quite extreme like exaggerating serifs or swashes.  

Sometimes dubbed and display type of font, decorative typefaces are typically suitable for larger lettering purposes. Many have used them usually for headlines and titles or other signage that requires a strong effect of the typographic statement. 

You can also see them as small amounts of texts in larger sizes shown in posters or cards. In other words, you will rarely see this decorative style of typeface in lengthy blocks of body text. 

Many designers create decorative fonts in hand-drawn styles and transform them into today’s digital assets. They manipulate the hand-lettered typefaces using a particular font editor or other graphics programs. 

You are more likely to see those fonts using unconventional letter shapes and proportions. The purpose is to obtain unique and dramatic design results. You will probably find these typefaces in three-dimensional design ideas. 

Moreover, some of the fonts in this embellished style may reflect a particular cultural aspect, such as graffiti or tattoos. Or else, they may suggest or express a certain state of mind, time, or themes. 

How to Use Decorative Fonts Effectively in Design

Ideally applicable for most creative design purposes, decorative fonts are highly suitable for titles or headings, as well as one-off works. You should avoid using this type of font for longer reading passages. 

Here are some ways to apply decorative typefaces successfully for your creative design purposes. 

Select and apply decorative font type to your design

You can achieve this by following several guidelines below to incorporate this decorative typeface effectively.

• Apply this decorative font type cautiously  

Some decorative fonts are harder to read due to their more elaborate nature. When you use this type of font for any suitable purpose, don’t hesitate to look for second or even third opinions. You will never know what other people encounter while reading your headlines or titles for the first time. 

• Apply extra leading approach

For example, you can have more space between lines that will keep your targeted text from being interfered with by ascenders, descenders, or other decorative elements.

• It is better not to use ALL CAPS

Decorative typefaces, especially those in ALL CAPS – all uppercase letters – tend to be unappealing and harder to read. Some of the most common examples are script font, blackletter, and other fancy decorative fonts. Some argue that they do not seem to flow together. 

• Close attention to kerning

Kerning is particularly essential when using it as decorative display font since it is prone to grab attention readily. It includes the undesirable attention from the spacing gaps of obvious characters.

• Larger sizes for extremely decorative fonts

You can consider using larger sizes for exceedingly elaborate typefaces. For example, you can apply sizes of thirty-two points or larger, especially for headlines. 

• The use of initial caps

Choosing correctly, even a single initial cap array in an extravagant font may bring about an elegant touch. Or else, it may lead to the little “oomph” to an otherwise average page while being the only decorative font applied. 

Do the sizing of the chosen decorative 

The most recognizable characteristics of decorative fonts are, among others, extreme features of x-height, ascenders, or descenders. It also includes other typefaces that integrate graphic elements, swashes, and embellishments. 

Pay close attention to the right size of these elaborate fonts as they may affect the readability at incorrect smaller points of size.

Please remember that not all headline-suitable or display typefaces are necessarily decorative in style. You may find that several display fonts are merely basic sans serif or serif lettered, particularly for the application at a larger title or headline point of size.

Knowing how to use decorative fonts properly may help you create more polished and appealing designs. For different purposes, you can refer to many online sources that provide unlimited inspiring digital assets of this elaborate font type for different purposes. Other useful typefaces are also lavishly available.