The Best Fonts for Digital Signage

Digital signage is a powerful tool for businesses and organizations of all shapes and sizes. Of course, one of the main aspects of digital signage is the digital signage content which is what displays on the digital signage screens. It is usually a mix of images, videos, and what we are talking about today, text. Though most may only focus on what their digital signage says, one crucial thing that often gets overlooked is the choice of fonts.

The right font can enhance readability, attract attention, and convey the desired tone of your message. That’s why today we’ll explore the best fonts for digital signage, where to find free fonts, and how to use custom fonts with Play Digital Signage.

Best Fonts for Digital Signage

Choosing the right font for your digital signage can significantly impact its effectiveness. Here are some of the best fonts for digital signage broken down into styles.

Sans-Serif Fonts

Sans-serif fonts are known for their clean and modern appearance, making them a popular choice for digital signage. They lack the small projecting features called "serifs" at the end of strokes, which contributes to their clean look.

• Arial: Arial is a ubiquitous font known for its simplicity and clarity. It’s highly legible at various sizes and distances, making it a reliable choice for general signage.
• Helvetica: Helvetica offers a more refined look while maintaining excellent readability. It's often used in professional settings due to its clean lines and balanced proportions.
• Verdana: Designed specifically for on-screen reading, Verdana features wider spacing and larger x-height, which enhances readability, especially for smaller text.

Display Fonts

Display fonts are designed to catch the viewer's attention and are typically used for headlines or short messages. They are often bold and distinctive.

• Impact: As the name suggests, Impact is a bold, eye-catching font that commands attention. It’s ideal for short, impactful messages that need to stand out.
• Bebas Neue: Bebas Neue is a versatile, all-caps font that combines modern aesthetics with readability. It's perfect for stylish, minimalist designs.

Script Fonts

Script fonts mimic cursive handwriting and are used to add a touch of elegance or personality to your signage. Though they are beautiful, script fonts should be used sparingly in digital signage content for readability.

• Pacifico: Pacifico offers a casual and friendly look, making it great for informal settings or creative industries.
• Great Vibes: Great Vibes is a flowing, elegant script font that works well for upscale or sophisticated displays, such as boutique stores or luxury events.

Monospaced Fonts

Monospaced fonts have characters that each occupy the same amount of horizontal space. They are excellent for displaying data or technical content.

• Courier New: Courier New is a classic monospaced font that ensures uniformity and clarity. It’s particularly useful for technical information or code snippets.

Where to Get Free Fonts for Digital Signage

Finding high-quality, free fonts is easier than ever, thanks to various online resources. Here are some of the best places to find free fonts.

Google Fonts

Google Fonts offers a comprehensive library of open-source fonts that you can use for free. It includes popular fonts like Roboto, Open Sans, and Lato, which are optimized for digital use and highly customizable.

Dafont

Dafont is a popular site that offers a vast collection of free fonts, including unique and decorative styles. While many fonts are free for personal use, always check the license if you plan to use them commercially.

FontSquirrel

FontSquirrel provides handpicked, high-quality fonts that are free for commercial use. The site includes a variety of styles, ensuring you'll find something suitable for your project.

1001 Free Fonts

1001 Free Fonts offers a wide selection of free fonts across different categories. As with Dafont, ensure you review the licensing terms for commercial use.

How to Use Custom Fonts with Play Digital Signage

Using custom fonts can help you maintain brand consistency and add a unique touch to your digital signage. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use custom fonts with Play Digital Signage.

1. Download Your Custom Font

First, choose and download your desired font from one of the free digital signage font resources mentioned above. Ensure the font is in a web-friendly format like .ttf (TrueType Font), .woff (Web Open Font Format), or .otf (OpenType Font). 

If your font file is in some other format, you can try using an online font converter (for example https://www.fontconverter.io/en). However, beware that on rare occasions converting fonts from one format to another can result in malformed font files.

2. Upload the Font to Play Digital Signage

First, log in to your Play Digital Signage account.Then, since the Play Digital Signage content management system treats custom fonts like any other files, navigate to your library. You’ll then click “upload” and select the previously downloaded font file from your computer. The font will now be in the text dropdown anywhere there is an option to add text, so you’re ready to start using it.

3. Apply the Custom Font in Your Content

To use the custom font in your digital signage content, go to your desired playlist to edit your signage content. Choose the text box where you want to apply the custom font. In the text settings, you should see your uploaded font listed among the available font options. Select your custom font and adjust the size, color, and other settings as needed.

It’s as easy as that and you can do it over and over for as many fonts as you would like!

Font Pairings for Digital Signage

Choosing complementary fonts for headings and body text is crucial for maintaining readability and visual appeal. Here are some effective font pairings for digital signage.

Sans-Serif + Serif

• Heading: Bebas Neue (Sans-Serif)
• Body: Times New Roman (Serif)
• Why It Works: The bold, modern look of Bebas Neue pairs well with the classic, readable style of Times New Roman, creating a balanced and professional appearance.

Sans-Serif + Sans-Serif

• Heading: Helvetica (Sans-Serif)
• Body: Open Sans (Sans-Serif)
• Why It Works: Both fonts are clean and easy to read. Helvetica’s stronger presence as a heading contrasts nicely with the more neutral Open Sans for body text.

Serif + Sans-Serif

• Heading: Playfair Display (Serif)
• Body: Roboto (Sans-Serif)
• Why It Works: Playfair Display’s elegant and sophisticated look as a heading font complements the modern and straightforward Roboto, enhancing readability.

Display + Sans-Serif

• Heading: Impact (Display)
• Body: Arial (Sans-Serif)
• Why It Works: Impact’s boldness grabs attention for headings, while Arial’s simplicity ensures that the body text is easy to read and doesn’t compete for attention.

Script + Sans-Serif

Heading: Great Vibes (Script) Body: Lato (Sans-Serif) Why It Works: The elegant flow of Great Vibes as a heading font pairs well with the clean and versatile Lato, adding a touch of sophistication without sacrificing readability.

Tips for Using Fonts in Digital Signage

Selecting the right font is just the first step. Here are some additional tips to ensure your text is effective and engaging.

• Keep It Simple: Avoid using too many different fonts. Stick to a maximum of two fonts to maintain a clean and professional appearance.
• Ensure Readability: Choose fonts that are easy to read from a distance. Avoid overly decorative or intricate fonts for main text or essential information.
• Match the Tone: Your font choice should match the tone of your message. For instance, use professional fonts for corporate settings and playful fonts for entertainment venues.
• Consistent Branding: Use fonts that align with your brand identity. Consistent use of fonts across all your marketing materials helps in creating a cohesive brand image.

Key Takeaways

Choosing the right font for your digital signage can make a significant impact on the effectiveness of your message. By selecting legible and appropriate fonts, sourcing them from reliable free resources, and utilizing custom fonts with Play Digital Signage, you can create engaging and visually appealing displays that capture your audience's attention. Experiment with different fonts to find the perfect match for your digital signage needs and watch your content come to life!