Last Updated on April 29, 2024
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When it comes to fancy fonts, the Blackletter typeface often comes out as one of the most popular. You may be more familiar with the terms Old English or Gothic. Regardless of what name you know these letter styles by, one thing remains the same – this is one dramatic typeface that could bring the kind of impact you’re hoping to achieve.
Some Blackletter History
If you feel that this typeface is old school, you’re absolutely right. It came from the middle of the 12th century, used mostly around Western Europe.
You’ll notice that one distinct character of the Blackletter typeface is the transition between thin and thick strokes. For some of the more elaborate font styles, you would also notice intricate swirls that add a more graceful touch.
The Blackletter typeface was actually used in the Gutenburg Bible, which is one of the very first books to be published in Europe. But just like any other typeface, it evolved through the years, with other font families formed under it.
By the 1500’s, Italic and Roman typefaces became more popular simply because they are easier to read especially when it comes to heavy body text. They are also easier to print. Almost everybody in Europe readily made the switch, although Germany still continued to use Blackletter, as well as other German-speaking countries.
It was around the 1920’s when designers and publishers from Germany started to opt for the less elaborate sans serif typefaces. Hitler, however, still stuck with the Blackletter typeface, favoring the specific font family “Fraktur”, which he called as the “people’s font” or “Volk”. Because of this, a lot of people associated the entire typeface to the Nazis.
Blackletter Today
Despite its intricacies, the Blackletter typeface is still among the most commonly favored by designers simply because it creates a serious and scholarly look. You’ll see the font in use on certificates, diplomas and the like, as well as in popular names like The New York Times, Corona, and Disneyland.
Other fonts based on this centuries-old typeface have also emerged in recent years, showing that people are still fascinated by this style and are still trying to replicate its form.
Not surprising at all, considering how quickly this typeface transports you to the classics, back to the time when people actually took the time to sit and work on the way they wrote each word.
Here are 20 beautiful blackletter fonts that you could use as inspiration for your next project:
Modern Gothic Font
Modern gothic blackletter font. Best work in big font size, such as 60pt and bigger.
AZ Wings
This font was designed solely for use as a headline with unique complementing ascenders and decenders.
Blackbird
A modern and stylish blackletter font. Blackbird can be used for t shirts, posters, bands and others.
QUGER
Quger is a horror font perfect for any horror movie, band logo, branding materials, ect.
Harsh Typeface
A new typeface with classy, elegant and vintage feel character set. To create the beautiful combination, just mix the uppercase and lowercase then mix with the alternative glyphs.
Clobot Typeface
Clobot was inspired from clean and elegant graphics, made with a simple style and elegant look. The typeface includes a full set of uppercase and lowercase letters as well as multi-lingual and currency support, numerals, punctuations, alternates, ligatures and some extra glyphs.
Screter
A fresh blackletter font with a progressive edge. Comes equip with ligatures and opentype alternates that can be used for various purposes.
HURACÁN
A typeface inspired in tattoo letters, vintage signs, and street art. It works well with normal size text, but it works even better for large displays, short words, or even just to incorporate a few or single characters in a design. Suitable for many creative products & tattoo designs, like posters, t-shirt, street wear, logo, signage, headlines, etc.
Aseina Typeface
Aseina typeface is new typeface with classy, elegant and vintage feel character set. To create the beautiful combination, just mix the uppercase and lowercase then mix with the alternative glyphs. The aseina typeface includes a full set of capital and lowercase letters, as well as multi-lingual support, currency figures, numerals, punctuation & some extra glyphs.
New Capricorn
Capricorn is a new font with a classy, elegant, and vintage character set. To create the beautiful combination, just mix the uppercase and lowercase then mix with the alternative glyphs.
Odd Times Typeface
A gorgeous medieval blackletter typeface inspired by old fracture calligraphy.
Black Baron
Black Baron is a medieval blackletter script.
Lost Volution
Lostvolution is a new victorian style and decorative typeface. The typeface come with over 150 alternate characters.
Unlucky
Unlucky is a pessimistic blackletter script. Perfect for delivering bad news including:
- Layoffs
- Parking Tickets
- Audits
- Detention
- Pink Slips
- Product Recalls
- Break-up Letters
Whisky
Whisky is a blackletter font family with a casual touch that makes it look friendly and current. The stroke varies its thickness and angle endings making it form very dynamic bodies of text.
Arundel
Arundel is a single-weight display typeface that was inspired by old cast iron lettering.
La Forest Typeface
Blackletter & vintage style display font for your new projects. Great for retro/vintage projects!
Dark Horse
Dark Horse is not your normal Calligraphic typeface. Its unexpected striking curves give it an aggressive, yet graceful look.
Gothic Ornamental Alphabet
Gothic ornamental initials which can be used to make posters, cards, logos and book design. The basis of this alphabet was taken from “Gems of Penmanship” by Williams&Packard, 1867. The set includes 65 vector elements: capital letters, lowercase letters, numerals, punctuation marks and ampersand.
The Mariam Story
Mariam Story is new black letter font elegant and vintage feel character set. To create the beautiful combination, just mix the uppercase and lowercase then mix with the alternative glyphs.
Posted by:Igor Ovsyannnykov
Igor is an SEO specialist, designer, photographer, writer and music producer. He believes that knowledge can change the world and be used to inspire and empower young people to build the life of their dreams. When he is not writing in his favorite coffee shop, Igor spends most of his time reading books, taking photos, producing house music, and learning about cinematography. He is a sucker for good coffee, Indian food, and video games.
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