Except for Federal Agencies and the U.S. Military, Smith & Warren sells all products through our extensive network of authorized dealers and distributors.

You can browse and design your custom Smith & Warren products with VisualBadge and request a quote. We will assign your quote request to an authorized dealer who can provide pricing and assist you with placing an order.
 


You can browse and design your custom Smith & Warren products with VisualBadge and request a quote. We will assign your quote request to an authorized dealer who can provide pricing and assist you with placing an order.
 

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What are the font options for custom badges?

Discover the distinct characteristics and reasons behind choosing between Block and Roman fonts for custom badges.

Published On: 02/13/2024

When it comes to designing your badge, one of your key decisions is selecting the font. You have a choice between Block Font and Roman Font. We will provide information about each font style and its distinct characteristics. Understanding the differences can help you make the right decision for your badge design. We will also share three considerations for choosing a font when you design your badge.

What is Block Font?

Firstly, let's explore Block Font. This font is a "sans-serif" or "gothic" font. A Block Font’s main characteristic is its simplicity. The letters have clean, straight lines with consistent thickness and don't feature any extending features. This minimalist design makes lettering easy to read and lends itself well to a more modern look.

What is Roman Font?

On the flip side, Roman Font belongs to the "serif" font family. Here, letters are adorned with extending features and combine thin and thick lines. These extending features are “serifs, feet, or tails” and they add a decorative look to lettering. This style is a good choice for a department seeking a more traditional badge design.

Three guidelines for choosing a font.

So, how do you choose between Block and Roman Font? Here are three helpful  guidelines to consider:

  • Consistency: Once you've decided on a font for your department’s badges, stick with it. When you reorder badges, stay with the same font to ensure a cohesive and professional appearance.
  • Thickness/Size: Consider the space available on your badge and the amount of text you need to engrave. Roman Font, with its serifs and decorative elements, requires more space than Block Font. If you're working with tight panels or need to fit a lot of text, Block Font is a better choice for readability.
  • Cost: There is no difference in the cost associated with font selection. Instead, focus on personal preference, tradition, and consistency to select your badge font.
     

Can I choose a custom font?

Our Block and Roman fonts are engraving fonts that are specifically designed to “cut” the lettering onto metal. This is the reason we cannot accommodate requests for custom fonts. Engraving fonts are optimized for manufacturing, which is important for clarity on your badge. They are very different from typeface fonts, which are used in word processing programs. Fortunately, the choice between Block and Roman Font provides design flexibility to achieve your desired modern or traditional look.


If you don’t know which font would best suit your badge design, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Our team is here to provide guidance and assistance, ensuring that your badge lettering includes the perfect font choice.
 

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