How to Choose a Font for Your Letterhead
If you take your business seriously, the decision to print letterhead is a no-brainer. Not only does custom letterhead offer your company a valuable tool for establishing a strong brand identity in a competitive marketplace, it also gives an air of class, distinction and professionalism to all of your official correspondence. When you’re designing your custom letterhead, you may be largely focused on such elements as header, footer and borders, as well as what kinds of information to include. However, it would be a serious mistake to overlook the importance of one of the most obvious design choices available to anyone who has decided to print letterhead for their business: The font! Keep in mind that the font you choose for your letterhead is enormously important, as it will help recipients form their initial impression of your company or organization. The ideal font will be eye-catching and distinctive without sacrificing legibility, and should be well-suited to your industry. Here are some tips to help you choose the right font for your letterhead:
- Make sure you’re choosing a font that accurately reflects your company’s style, values and specific business niche. You don’t want to choose a flowery script font if you’re a no-nonsense trial attorney; similarly, a stodgy, traditional font may come across as too uptight or unimaginative for a forward-thinking graphic design firm.
- Take the time to decide on a unique brand identity for your business – and pick a font that complements that identity. For example, if your company is well-established and conservative, a straightforward, classic font like Times New Roman or Century Gothic should do the trick. If you’re in a more creative field, you can think outside of the box; everything from Courier to Comic Sans (and beyond!) is fair game.
- Look to your font as one more opportunity for your company to stand out in a crowded field. Choosing a letterhead font that is totally unexpected or rarely used by your competition will make you more memorable, and this can be especially valuable to new companies looking to break into their industry. One caveat: Always make sure your font is 100% legible. Even the edgiest font will lose its appeal if readers can’t make out the name of your company or the details of your contact info!
- Consider your company logo. Logos are an essential element of well-designed custom letterhead, and it’s vital to choose a font that won’t clash with the look of your logo. Instead, pick lettering that complements your logo and gives your letterhead a clean, uniform look.
- If you’re interested in truly innovative ways to stand out, try designing a font. This can be a lot of work, but it will go a long way toward generating interest in your company.
