Handsome was the first digital typeface to resemble nice, ordinary, fully cursive handwriting. Or neon. In 2005, Handsome Pro was one of the first script typefaces to utilize the OpenType format to simulate the natural quality of writing, by automatically substituting alternate contextual glyphs. The effect follows the conventional “joining rules” of calligraphy, which are a formalization of the way in which letter forms are modified in cursive handwriting for the sake of speed and efficiency—and also perhaps to make life more interesting. For the look of real handwriting, Handsome is most convincing at around 15 pts. At much smaller or larger sizes it works differently. At display size, the feel of the non-nib styles is very slick, more like a speedball Kauffman, owing to the smoothness of the finish. As script fonts go, Handsome has a relatively large x-height, which can be useful if you don't want the “writing” to look too small.

Komu is the revival of a style of letters frequently used on billboards during the socialist period in the former Czechoslovakia. These were usually uppercase letters made of paper and covered with a layer of aluminum foil. People just had to pick the letters (that included a variety of widths and sizes) out from a box and pin them up on a styrofoam billboard, thus making it easy to announce any event. Komu consists of two styles. Version A is rather squarish and includes some weird characters (K, 5, narrow E, strange diacritics) while version B is more rounded with most letters equally wide (with the exception of E, F and L, which look really wide next to the rest). The optical disparity of the original letters was kept, so that some of them look slightly darker than the others. Komu is intended to be used on posters, books and other products about Socialism in our region and includes full support for languages based on latin script.

The Wild West meets Russia and India in this heavy duty display face. Although it's uppercase only, most of the characters vary between the uppercase and lowercase alphabets, so it's easy to give your text a hand-made feel by mixing up your cases. OpenType savvy applications can really exploit the extra features of this font. Engage contextual alternates, and G, C, L and alternate form of E will change when placed before a letter with a crossbar to create some cool effects (see the CK and LE combinations in the poster). There are standard ligatures for ff and FF combinations, and discretionary ligatures for 'and', 'the', 'No', 'Mc' and 'Co'. Engage stylistic alternates for a reversed 3 version of E, and the obligatory backwards R for that faux-Russian effect. Also included in the font is a host of ornaments. This font is perfect for wanted posters, heavy metal band logos, Communist propaganda leaflets and no doubt a load of other things too.

A handwritten decorative font with brush characteristics This attractive decorative script is found in a pamphlet of script samples from around 1900 which was issued by Otto Maier publishing house in Ravensburg/Germany. The forms and flow of Maier’s Nr. 42 are obviously influenced by Art Nouveau. In the original sample, only the Latin alphabet appears. All other characters, especially the Greek and Cyrillic letters, were modeled on elements of the original. A typeface can first reveal a true "handmade" character when the letter forms do not continually repeat themselves – a completely normal occurrence with handwriting. Thanks to OpenType, some key letters of Maier’s Nr. 42 appear in various alternative forms depending on the combination of letters. For example, the difference is obvious between an e followed by i and an e followed by l. Using this principle, a number of letter combinations are presented with alternative character forms so that overall a very lively impression is created.

Conceived as a slab serif companion to the Absentia Sans family, this typeface complements its sibling with charisma and style. Built on the same geometric framework, they combine and harmonize gracefully. Yet Absentia Slab stands on its own as a novel alternative to conventional options. Anchored by blocky serifs, it presents an appearance of stability and steadiness. Its audacious design integrates unique features such as vertical terminals in glyphs ‘a’, ‘e’ and ‘6’. To make optimal use of available space, one-sided serifs (and in some cases, simple strokes without any serifs) help maintain an airy, uncluttered footprint as seen in letters ‘m’, ‘E’ and ‘N’. This forward-looking typeface is well suited for a variety of projects: understated yet spirited, technical yet welcoming. It has a modernist appeal, while reminiscent of XIXth Century woodblock lettering. Designed by Daniel Robichaud, Absentia Slab is available in ten weights with matching italics and two variable fonts.

When traveling in Paris, American designer Frederic W. Goudy did a rubbing of a second century marble inscription he found in the Louvre. After ruminating on these letterforms for several years, he drew a titling typeface in 1918, all around the letters P, R, and E. He called the new face Hadriano" as that name was in the original inscription. Robert Wiebking cut the matrices, and the Continental Typefounders Association released the font. Goudy designed a lowercase at the request of Monotype in 1930, though he didn't really like the idea of adding lowercase to an inscriptional letterform. The lowercase looks much like some of Goudy's other Roman faces. Compugraphic added more weights in the late 1970s, and made the shapes more cohesive. Hadriano has nicely cupped serifs and sturdy, generous body shapes. Distinctive individual letters include the cap A and Q, and the lowercase e, g, and z. Hadriano™ is an excellent choice for impressive headings and vigorous display lines."

Worthington Arcade is a classically-proportioned capitals-only type incorporating a selection of ligatures and alternates. It loosely resembles the hand-painted architectural lettering of the 30s to the 50s, exemplified by the likes of Percy Smith’s interior signage for the BBC or George Mansell’s lettering for the University of London and the signs found on London’s bridges. However, rather than a slavish copy of any historical model, it is more an examination and evocation of certain idiosyncratic quirks of civic lettering of the period, and an attempt to create a peculiarly English titling typeface. The round letters, for example the O, Q and C, are wider than the perfect circle usually found in such designs, while the straight-sided characters, usually drawn on a square, are narrower. This lends the whole a subtle elegance that is also emphasized by the raised crossbars on the H, E and F and extended lower leg of the E. Includes old-style numerals.

Rodinia displays my love of the carnival and the Slavic culture.

Looking for a big, bold and curvy font? Here’s Black Damon! She is a hand-drawn typeface with explicit curves and angles that still retains softness and has a handcrafted feel. All glyphs are handcrafted by illustrative designer Zeptonn. She might not be your best friend for body text, but still, she won't hesitate to perform well under pressure. She will make an interesting yet unusual partner for headlines. Awesome and distinctive in use for titles, displays and fresh illustrations. Prepare to make a statement!

ITC Zinzinnati is based on a font called Ohio, released in 1924 by Die Schriftguss A.G. Typical of the Plakatstil letterforms of the time, the original font had a rough outline, as if drawn with a brush. Nick Curtis has smoothed the rough edges, which enhances the design's playful curves and engaging charm. As for the name: it's the punchline to an old vaudeville routine that starts with the question, Name a city in Ohio that begins with a 'Z.'" Pie in the face, comin' atcha!"