Display fonts are designed for large sizes and short messages. They are the bold voices of typography, built to make a headline, poster or logo stand out rather than to carry long passages of text.
What makes a display font
Display fonts often have strong personality: exaggerated shapes, heavy weight, tight spacing or decorative detail. Those traits create impact at size but reduce comfort at small sizes, which is why they are reserved for headings.
Using display type effectively
- Use display fonts for headlines, posters, packaging and logos.
- Pair a display font with a simple body font so the page stays readable.
- Limit a layout to one display font so it remains the star.
License terms vary from one font to another. Always review the license included with a specific font before using it, especially for commercial work.