Search GDUSA


The nation’s most popular news source for graphic design business, ideas, and opportunities.

Blackletter

Hard to throw too much shade at a font that was Europe’s only choice from the 12th to the 17th century. Blackletter fonts never completely vanished and became the preferred text for Germany, which probably explains its recent resurgence with the vast array of microbrew pubs dotting corners across the globe. It’s never truly been out of mind, serving as the font of choice for nameplates on hundreds of newspapers worldwide. It even worked pretty well on your diploma and for Disneyland, but how did it make the jump to AC/DC and Snoop Dog? Now that’s some kind of flexibility!

Though it’s no friend of legibility, it will never be accused of lacking personality. That may be the reason it’s on every designer’s casting call as we investigate counter measures to the blandification of wordmarks crafted from soulless sans serif sameness. The slab and angled strokes have a sharp graphic appeal that allow for abundant customization and retooling. Plenty of Blackletter inspired fonts are popping up with a myriad of weights, in-lines, swashes, ornaments and other iterations. It’s a perfect mouthpiece for demonstrating a client’s heritage, and craftsmanship and expresses both with inspired drama.

[metaslider id=”41412″]

[php function=49]

GDUSA NEWSLETTER
Stay up-to-date with the latest in graphic design news
GOT NEWS?
Share the latest in trends, job transitions, and exciting innovations
The LATEST

See More Features >

MORE Like This

Campaign By This January Stands Out By Blending In

This January created optical art based on camouflage for the International Spy Museum’s new exhibit Designed to Deceive ...

São Paulo Studio Opens New York HQ

Award-winning São Paulo studio Surreal Hotel Arts expands its global footprint, bringing acclaimed storytelling and production to the US market ...

We Want To Hear From You!

Thank you for your time in responding to GDUSA's 2025 Graphic Design Print Survey. These questions help us and our ...
Cookie policy

We use our own and third party cookies to allow us to understand how the site is used and to support our marketing campaigns. Learn more.

Enter the GDUSA Inhouse Design Awards™

Skip to content