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Seems like folks here are always looking to have fonts identified, so rather than repeating all of this on each post, I would like to create a "mega post" of resources I know of that can help you identify fonts.
Before I get into the list, it should be said that there are literally millions of fonts out there, and many are slight variations of other existing fonts (look up Akzidenz-Grotsek, Helvetica, Univers, and Arial if you want to have fun). Also from experience, designers like to customize fonts for specific applications.
With that said, I'm breaking down this post a little. We'll start off with commonly used fonts and go into identification tools.
Since piracy is very common in the world of typography, I am linking you guys to places where you can buy the fonts. Yes, some can be very expensive. Another thing to note, is that foundries (the technical term for places that make fonts) in later years have often released their own variation of classic typefaces, and that there are minute differences between their version and a competitors.
Also bear in mind, that typefaces can come in many alterations, shapes, weights, and sizes. In addition to Regular, Italic, and Bold, you can also find condensed versions, extended versions, demi bolds, black, lights, and extra light weights to name a few.
Sans Serifs
A sans serif font usually lacks the little "feet" at the ends of letters like i, t, l, and so forth. The most common of all sans serifs has been Helvetica for many years, showing up in famous logos like American Airlines, Target, and Energizer.
Serifs
A serif font usually has the little "feet" at the ends of letters like i, t, l, and so forth. The most common include Century Schoolbook, which many of you unknowingly used to learn to read children's books. Others include Bodoni, Garamond, and Times New Roman.
Identification
So hopefully this helps a few people out. Please feel free to add more resources as you find them!
Before I get into the list, it should be said that there are literally millions of fonts out there, and many are slight variations of other existing fonts (look up Akzidenz-Grotsek, Helvetica, Univers, and Arial if you want to have fun). Also from experience, designers like to customize fonts for specific applications.
With that said, I'm breaking down this post a little. We'll start off with commonly used fonts and go into identification tools.
Since piracy is very common in the world of typography, I am linking you guys to places where you can buy the fonts. Yes, some can be very expensive. Another thing to note, is that foundries (the technical term for places that make fonts) in later years have often released their own variation of classic typefaces, and that there are minute differences between their version and a competitors.
Also bear in mind, that typefaces can come in many alterations, shapes, weights, and sizes. In addition to Regular, Italic, and Bold, you can also find condensed versions, extended versions, demi bolds, black, lights, and extra light weights to name a few.
Sans Serifs
A sans serif font usually lacks the little "feet" at the ends of letters like i, t, l, and so forth. The most common of all sans serifs has been Helvetica for many years, showing up in famous logos like American Airlines, Target, and Energizer.
- Akzidenz Grotesk
- Avenir
- Bell Centennial
- Bell Gothic
- DIN
- Franklin Gothic
- Frutiger
- Futura
- Gill Sans
- Gotham
- Helvetica
- Meta
- Myriad
- Trade Gothic
- Univers
- Vag Rounded
Serifs
A serif font usually has the little "feet" at the ends of letters like i, t, l, and so forth. The most common include Century Schoolbook, which many of you unknowingly used to learn to read children's books. Others include Bodoni, Garamond, and Times New Roman.
- Adobe Caslon
- Adobe Garamond
- Bembo
- Bodoni
- Clarendon
- Courier
- Excelsior
- Lucidia
- Minion
- Perpetua
- Sabon
- Stempel Schneidler
- Times New Roman
- Trajan
- Walbaum
Identification
- What the Font - This is my preferred font ID site. You can upload an image (pro-tip: make it solid black and solid white if you can, and darken out any irrelevant details) and the site will do its best to find a matching font.
- Identifont - If your image isn't of good quality, Identifont uses more of a question/answer system to narrow down the possibilities. Works best if you have a good selection of letters and characters to work from.
- Bowfin - Another Q&A identifier, like Identifont.
- TypeNavigator - Yet another good Q&A identifier.
- What Font Is - Great new ID site that allows you to upload an image and search through paid and/or free font options.
So hopefully this helps a few people out. Please feel free to add more resources as you find them!
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