The typeface is similar, but different to...

When creating new artwork for clients, I am often asked to match a font used in a previously printed job that was created by a different studio or printer. The client usually does not know what the particular typeface is and they may not have a PDF or a native file where the font name will be listed - all they have is a print sample or a file with text that has been outlined to paths. With over 6000 fonts in our collection, it can take some time to match a font.

A couple of good web resources for matching fonts include the Identifont and the MyFonts WhatTheFont websites.

Sometimes the required typeface is similar to another typeface, however it is slightly different. Often a single upper or lowercase character in two similar but different fonts may make or break the font selection choice - particularly so for logo and or headline type.

I may look at a typeface and think "it is similar, but different to typeface X". I have found that the unknown typeface selection process can be made more productive if I know other similar typefaces to the required typeface.

On this page I will list some common typeface families that I have been asked to match and the other comparable choices that I have found in our library that evoke a similar feeling. Check back from time to time as I will be updating this page as I find new fonts. Please feel free to add a comment if you know of another similar typeface to one listed here.


SERIF

• Souvenir: Windsor, Cooper Black
  

SANS SERIF

• Avant Garde (Gothic): Avenir, Cirkulus, Century Gothic, Kabel, Litera
  
  
• Bauhaus: Blippo, Pump, Revue
  
  
• Eurostile: Bank Gothic, Euroteknik, Handel Ghothic, Metrostyle, Microgramma, Morganna, Minima, Sui Generis
  
  
• Gill Sans (Italic): Charlotte Sans, Ergo, Flora, Highlander, Legacy Sans, Lucida Sans, Myriad, Stone Sans
  
  
• Lithos: Skia, Pompeia Inline, Rusticana, Kaffeesatz, Boulder, Lithograph, Gomorrah
  
  
• Optima: Britannic, Castle, Imperial, Luna, Norma, Odense, Saga, Opus, Barmeno BQ, CG Omega, Zapf Humanist 601
  
  
  

SCRIPT

• Zapf Chancery: Ariande, Arioso, Cataneo BT, Apple Chancery, Centaur, Exchequer Script, Le Griffe, Lucida Caligraphy, Medici Script, Monotype Corsiva, Poetica, Minion Italic Swash, Michaelmas, Adobe Garamond Italic Alternate

BLACKLETTER

• Mariage: Linotext

Last Updated: August 17, 2009


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