Handwritten typefaces imitate letters drawn by hand with a tool, such as a brush, a pencil or a marker, without the letters being joined together. This sets them apart from scripts, which reproduce continuous cursive writing.
Where to see it
Handwritten typefaces had their golden age in French poster design in the 1950s, with Roger Excoffon's creations such as Banco and Choc. They can still be found on shop signs, restaurant chalkboards and packaging that aims for a spontaneous, handcrafted tone.
Why this detail matters
Handwritten typefaces bring a human dimension to typesetting:
- They give a spontaneous, warm and handcrafted tone, very different from typefaces drawn with a compass;
- They work mainly for display, on short texts;
- The line between handwritten typefaces and scripts lies in how the letters connect: separate for handwritten, joined for scripts.
Related term
Scripts imitate cursive writing, with letters that are usually joined together.