List of Common Cursive Font Faces
If you've ever received an elegant invitation that looked handwritten, it's probably been printed in a cursive typeface. "Cursive" usually means that the italic font of a typeface resembles handwriting, with the lower-case letters separated at the bottom. Although the terms "font" and "typeface" are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same thing; a typeface is a designed set of consistent characters that includes letters, numbers and symbols. The fonts, or styles, of a typeface are Roman, bold and italic.
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Cursive Typefaces
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Cursive fonts began appearing in the late 1800s as printing became more commercial. In a serif typeface (one with small lines or flourishes at the top and bottom of the letter), the handwritten quality of the letters is more pronounced. The italic style of sans-serif faces (those without serifs) generally is not cursive. Invitations, announcements and formal printed pieces often use a cursive typeface.
Garamond
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This typeface, although widely attributed to Claude Garamond, was actually designed by Jean Jannon around 1550. Both were French, and this serif face shows its French roots in an elegant, fluid design; the italic font is airy and flowing. Garamond has had so many revivals and variations that it is no longer considered one typeface, but a group of faces.
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Times New Roman
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Times New Roman, a serif face developed by Englishman Stanley Morrison in 1931, is one of typography's most recognizable faces. Initially named Times Roman, it is considered the standard face for newspapers, personal computers and computerized typesetting. Times New Roman gained widespread popularity after Microsoft adopted it. The serifs and narrow lines of the italic font give Times New Roman a graceful, classic appearance.
Caslon
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William Caslon was a prolific English designer in the 1700s who was instrumental in ending a Dutch monopoly on typography. Caslon, a serif face, set the standard for 18th-century type design. It was used for many English and American public documents, including the Declaration of Independence. Caslon is outstanding for its legibility, pleasing proportions and variety of fonts.
Baskerville
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John Baskerville, an English designer during the late 1700s, began his career teaching handwriting, and his typeface reflects this background. Baskerville is called a "transitional" designer because he bridged William Caslon's classic designs with modern design. The italic font of Baskerville is fluid and graceful, resembling cursive handwriting. The serif design is curled at the top of the letter in the traditional style and straight on the bottom in the modern style.
Adobe Originals
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This family is used by Adobe Systems as computer typefaces. Designers Carol Twombly and Robert Slimbach designed them when Adobe recognized the need for faces that met the needs of digital publishing. Variations of Garamond and Caslon are part of the Adobe Originals group.
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