Hey everyone, welcome to this week’s Monday Break(Through).
Have you ever wondered how to pair fonts without actually loosing your mind? Well, I don’t know if it means anything, but you’re definitely not alone. I myself have been in this situation for so many times. Font pairing can feel overwhelming and while the wrong combination can completely derail a design, the right one can elevate it to something truly remarkable.
I am super excited to talk about this subject today because it’s somethingI have been asked so many times, and I have even created a FREE Font Pairing Guide for you guys so
Today, I will be sharing insights from that guide and in just a few minutes, I’m going to give you some simple, actionable tips to nail your font pairings, so your typography does exactly what it’s supposed to do—enhance your design, not complicate it.
For me, font pairing is all about finding balance and intention. And after more than 15 years of experience in branding and type design, here are some of my key principles to keep in mind when pairing fonts:
The first one and probably the most important one is that the Contrast Is THE Key: This is one of the easiest ways to create visual interest by combining fonts with contrasting styles. For example, pairing a bold, modern sans serif with an elegant serif font can add sophistication while ensuring your design stands out. A great example from my portfolio is the Silver Garden Typeface that combines a vintage serif with a chic script font - all in one pack - and it’s one of my best selling fonts. The contrast draws attention without overwhelming the design.
The second principle I use, is to find some common ground:
While contrast is essential, finding shared traits between fonts can create harmony. Look for similarities in stroke weight, letter height, or overall style. For instance, pairing a clean sans serif with a hand-drawn font was always a good pairing advice, but if you can find two fonts that share similar traits, the pairing will look even better.
On the other hand, font pairing matters the most in print or website design. In a website, where you have more text, the fonts you choose should guide the viewer’s eye through your design. For example, use bold or decorative fonts for headlines, and simpler, highly legible fonts for body text. This ensures your message is clear and visually engaging.
And the last principle I use is Break the Rules, But do it with Purpose.
Sometimes, the best designs come from breaking traditional pairing rules. High-contrast pairings, like a minimalist sans serif with a bubbly, playful display font, can inject energy and personality into your work. Just be intentional—too much contrast can confuse rather than captivate. For example, my typeface More Cocktails Please, obviously a summer font, is a perfect example of combining minimalist bold sans serif with a bubbly playful font - and it’s also a pair that comes in one pack.
Having these principles in mind will definitely help, but in the end font pairing is all about balance. Whether you’re creating contrast, finding harmony, or establishing hierarchy, the goal is to make your typography work for your design, not against it.
And no matter what anyone says, there’s really no ‘perfect’ pairing. The best combinations always come from experimenting, trusting your instincts, and knowing what feels right for your project, because your project and your client are different than mine, and what worked for others might not work for you. And in the end you have to try different things and you have to trust your gut. And that’s it!
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s Monday Break(Through). I hope this gives you a boost of confidence for your next project.
And I’d definitely love to hear about your favorite font pairings—or even the ones you’ve struggled with. Drop me a message on Instagram or leave a comment on the podcast, and I will be sure to reply.
You can also get my Font Pairing Guide for FREE by simply subscribing to my newsletter - I will make sure to post a link in the podcast description.
Until next time, keep creating, keep experimenting, and just remember that typography isn’t just about letters—it’s about telling a story.
See you next week everyone!