<aside> 👉 Pre-requisite: You should be comfortable creating a type hierarchy with a single typeface before proceeding with this lesson. In case you need a refresher, reference Type hierarchy.

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Combining multiple typefaces together is an art, not a science. As you analyze more typography and hone your vibe reader eye, you’ll begin to develop an intuition for when a font pairing feels just right. To develop your intuition, let’s revisit the qualities of a good type pairing.

Qualities of a good pairing

A good type pairing has good contrast, but how much contrast is enough contrast? Good contrast means that the text clearly communicates a message and important words stand out. As we learned in Type hierarchy, you can always achieve good contrast with one typeface using a variety of sizes, weights, and styles.

Now that you have reached module 8, we are ditching the training wheels. It’s time to learn how to play with multiple typefaces!

On the far left is a pairing with inadequate contrast. PT Sans Regular and Source Sans Pro Regular are two sans serifs that are too similar to each other. It’s difficult to tell where the font changes and the additional font does not add any clarity to the content.

If you look close enough, you’ll spot some key differences. Take a peek at the lowercase “g”’s for example.

On the far right is a pairing with excessive contrast. PT Sans Regular and Racing Sans One have a different character shape, x-height, and font weight. Especially in this context where they are used together inline, they stand out too much as individuals.

Generally, the options in the center of the spectrum are examples of good contrast.

1. One typeface: PT Sans Regular and PT Sans Bold use the same typeface, but in different weights. This variation is the easiest and most minimal ways to create contrast.
2. One superfamily: PT Sans Regular and PT Serif Bold are both part of the PT superfamily. Fonts in the same superfamily will almost always pair well because they share a similar shape.
3. Two typefaces: PT Sans Regular and Eczar have extremely high contrast: one is a sans serif and the other is a very stylized calligraphic serif. This combination is more controversial, but I personally find that they work well together because their x-heights are close enough.

How you create type contrast along this spectrum will define your personal visual style. I added color for dramatic effect below, but notice how each of these creates enough contrast, but in very different ways.

These 3 directions range from minimal to maximalist. They use the same fonts as the 3 examples in the center of the spectrum.

My personal style tends to be more maximalist, but understanding type fundamentals means you can comfortably explore type pairings that range from minimalist to maximalist.