Back to Dye Printing Tricks & Tips
Comparative Typography: San Serif TypefacesMathematically drawn, nearly perfect letterforms, these cousins make it hard for the novice to tell one from the next. With a little experience you'll be spotting the use of one or two stripped into the same menu or business card. So alike are they that only graphic artists and middle managers with too much time on their hands even debate the difference...
The easiest way to spot the difference between Folio and Futura is to type the lowercase a. One is old style hook and bowl, the other a ball and stick. Note also the differences in the uppercase G and Q. The capital R's treat their tails differently. But don't mix up the Folio R with the Helvetica R. Same problem with the R's of Folio versus Trebuchet. The uppercase M of Folio and Helvetica have vertical legs on the ends. The uppercase M of Futura and Trebuchet flare out. The uppercase K of all but Futura have legs that are obviously holding u the arms. Several lowercase forms are so close you'd have a hard time identifying them once converted to paths...
Folio is clean and consistent. The various weights available make it a real work horse. It isn't overly angular. The tips are trimmed straight on the A, M, N, V, and W.
Futura is more circular than elliptical. It seems slightly more modern than functional. Letterforms that don't have a curve aren't given one at all (lowercase j, k, t, etc.). The angle on the number form strokes are almost severe. Pointy tips are obvious on the A, M, N, V, and W.
Helvetica is slightly condensed, simple but with quirks like the hook of the lowercase j, the serif on the G. The tips are trimmed straight on the A, M, N, V, and W.
Trebuchet is Folio relaxed on the beach in semi retirement before turning 45. Little extras like the lower case g, and the non-serif serifs of the i and j add a little informality to the typeface. Overall it is slightly more condensed. This is most obvious when checking the p's and q's of all four. Each is a ball and stick--except Trebuchet. The "ball" is definitely "sliced into." Pointy tips are obvious on the A, M, N, V, and W.
Abadi vs. Avante Garde vs. Arial
Andale vs Courier vs. Letter Gothic
Univers vs. Gill Sans vs. Eurostile
Serif Typefaces
(including slab serifs)
Script Typefaces
Special Effect
or Trendy Typefaces
Back to Typeface Main Page