What Font is Best for Safety Signs?

Safety signs are visual cues that warn customers of potential hazards and help improve general safety. Due to their critical role in promoting customer safety, these signs should be clear and legible. A few font styles are best suited for achieving this important goal.

What are safety signs?

Signs are tools used to communicate messages. Safety signs, specifically, alert customers of dangers. Warning signs, for instance, indicate dangers that could cause harm or death. These signs typically feature black font over a bright yellow background—customers do not miss seeing them.

Prohibition signs are another type of safety sign. These signs prohibit certain activities that could be a risk to a customer’s health or life. They may prohibit smoking or walking in a certain area. Similarly, danger signs warn of hazardous conditions and include the word “Danger.”

Emergency signs point customers to first aid equipment or an escape route. Signs like these may feature the word “Exit” in bold letters. Fire safety signs notify customers of a fire threat. Notice signs communicate directions, rules, or procedures to help promote safety.

What font is best for safety signs?

An effective safety sign features a legible font. The font chosen should be readable from a distance so that customers are warned of hazards or risks ahead of time. Font size and color are also important considerations when creating a safety sign.

1. Sans Serif Font

Fonts come in two variations: serif and sans serif. Serif fonts feature serifs, which are tiny strokes that accentuate the ends of letters. Sans serif fonts are designed to be easy to read and are a good choice for signage that must be read from a distance.

Sans serif fonts are ideal for safety signs, since they are legible from afar. An exit sign, for instance, is one type of safety sign that customers should be able to read from several feet away. A large font with simple strokes is suitable for this type of sign.

2. Upper-Case Font

Using upper-case or lower-case fonts also make an impact. Upper-case fonts convey authority, which makes them useful when creating signs warning of danger or those providing instruction. Danger signs, like those warning of high-voltage areas, feature upper-case, sans serif fonts for an instructional effect.

Lower-case fonts, on the other hand, may be less effective for safety signs and much more preferred for directional road signs. This type of font is quickly intuited without having to consciously read. Due to their quick recognition, lower-case fonts are recommended for advertising signs.

3. Serious Font Style

The style of font delivers the message in either a clear, authoritative way or a playful one. A creative sign typically uses a playful font, like script fonts. But when creating a safety sign, use a serious font to convey authority or take an instructional stance.

4. Optimal Spacing

The right font for a safety sign allows for adequate spacing between the letters. Known as kerning, the spacing between letters affects readability. When designing a safety sign, legibility is key—making it critical to avoid heavily condensing the letters and allowing for a clean perimeter.

5. ADA Compliant Font

When creating safety signs, it’s important to follow the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) rules. These rules specify that the font on exit signs be upper-case and sans serif. The ADA prohibits the use of italics, script, or highly decorative fonts. The ADA also outlines character and line spacing requirements.

What are specific font styles for safety signs?

Sans serif fonts are ideal for safety signs, as mentioned. Contemporary and easy to read, sans serif fonts come in a variety of styles. Popular ones include Arial, Helvetica, and Trebuchet. These fonts are among the top choices because they are neutral and effective at conveying the message.

Helvetica is the ideal sans serif font. It is seen everywhere and for good reason. Helvetica font is tall in height with tight letter spacing, making it easy to read from a distance. It offers clean lines and a professional look. Being neutral, Helvetica fonts fit with various branding styles.

Arial is another recommended font for creating warning and other safety signs. Like Helvetica, its clean lines make it easy to read from a distance. This font is one of the most-recognizable fonts today. Plus, Arial font complies with ADA guidelines.

When creating a safety sign, consider a sans-serif font. Especially in warning signs, avoid using all upper-case letters if the message is more than a couple words long. This is advised because all upper-case lettering slows down the time it takes customers to read the sign.

The font color should also contrast with the sign’s background color. For maximum effect, use black font on a white background, yellow font on a dark blue background, white font against a red background, or white font with a green background.

Contact Divine Signs and Graphics

When you are considering producing an emergency sign, notice sign, or any other type of safety sign, work with a sign designer that is knowledgeable about the best fonts to use. A consultation with Divine Signs and Graphics is the first step to producing a quality safety sign.

We create effective safety signs that are ADA compliant. Whether you need exit signs, signs for stairs, or room labels, our team will ensure all the signs are consistent in style and meet ADA standards. You are presented with a wide range of color, font, and material choices.

Our sign design team discusses your needs along with your vision for the safety signs. We then design the signs per your color, font, and material preferences, and print and install them securely. You’ll also receive guidance on what ADA signs you need to remain in compliance.

Divine Signs and Graphics is the preferred sign design company serving Schaumburg, Illinois. We offer comprehensive business sign design services. You’ll receive custom safety signs that meet your specifications and ADA criteria. Call our office today to speak to a knowledgeable sign design expert.

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