There are many different categories of typefaces that are distinguished by subtle features. Typefaces can be classified based on attributes like whether they have serifs, their historical period of development, intended purpose, and imitation of handwritten styles. The major categories include serif, sans serif, scripts, handwriting, blackletter, titling fonts, and decorative/display types. Each category contains numerous typefaces that have small variations distinguishing their appearance.

1. WHAT MAKES A TYPEFACE LOOK
THE WAY IT DOES?
Why are there so many typefaces?
Why do we need new ones?
What are the differences between them
all?

2. CHOOSING TYPEFACES
Some typefaces are chosen for their functionality, while others are
chosen to be new and different and eye-catching, as we most display

5. TYPE CATEGORIES
The following section will attempt to simplify and demystify the type
classification system to give you a basic understanding of where the
many hundreds of types come from, how they differ and why?

6. SERIF
This is a large category of typefaces with one common denominator: all
have serifs. Simply put, serifs can be described as extensions,
protrusions, or more elegantly put, finishing and strokes extending from
the end of a character. The primary fonts falling within this category are:

7. Old STYLE: developed between late 15th and 18th
century

8. TRANSITIONAL: represent 18th century as a time of
transition from modern and old style design.
More contrast between thick and thin strokes
serifs are thinner, flat and bracketed

10. SANS SERIF
From the French word for “without”, sans serif typefaces are without
serifs. These were the some of the first styles to be cut in stone, and
they periodic return to popularity due to their simplicity as well as their
somewhat industrial look. Some of the common categories of sans:

13. SCRIPTS
These designs represent a large category of typefaces derived from or
imitative of handwriting or calligraphy. They include a wide variety of
styles and characteristics, and they are much more fluid then more
traditional type styles.

16. HANDWRITING
Fonts are typographic interpretations of actual handwriting or hand
printing. The stylistic range is extremely diverse and can be anything from
a connected scrawl to a quirky, bouncy, irregular handwriting

18. BLACKLETTER
It evolved from early handwritten form of liturgical writing and
illuminated manuscripts. It is characterized by a dense, black texture and
highly decorative caps.

20. TITLING FONTS
Are specifically designed for headline or display settings. They include a
more extreme weight contrast and often more condensed proportions.

22. DECORATIVE AND DISPLAY
They broadly encompasses many hundreds of type styles they do not fit
into any of the preceding categories, as they are designed primarily for
headlines and meant to be distinctive, original, and eye-catching. They
adhere to no rules.