15 Fonts Similar to Garamond and What to Pair It With

Are you searching for fonts similar to the Garamond font style? In this article, we will present you with 15 fonts that are similar to the classic Garamond serif font. We’ll also look at some fonts you can pair with Garamond in your web- or print-based projects.

15 fifteen fonts similar to Garamond on Envato elements15 fifteen fonts similar to Garamond on Envato elements15 fifteen fonts similar to Garamond on Envato elements

The classic Garamond typeface is considered a timeless font, and it’s one of the most commonly copied and used typefaces in the history of printed books.

If you would like to discover alternative fonts to Garamond, with its classic touch, readability, and distinctive qualities, be sure to check out Envato Elements for its extensive font library.

What Does Garamond Look Like?

To check out what the Garamond font looks like, view the illustration below.

The Garamond serif font features elegant strokes and open negative spaces. It offers eye-pleasing legibility with its light qualities.

garamond, typeface, font, style, serif, grec du roi, claude garamondgaramond, typeface, font, style, serif, grec du roi, claude garamondgaramond, typeface, font, style, serif, grec du roi, claude garamond

What Is the Garamond Typeface History?

Let’s briefly go through the Garamond font history and origin.

First, you should understand that Garamond is more a style of typeface rather than a type itself. Originally designed by the famed Parisian type designer Claude Garamond in the 16th Century, Garamond was the first to branch off from the traditional handwritten style to make readable letterforms ready for printing. The original font was called “Grec du Roi” because it was created for the Greek government solely for the purpose of Roman and Latin book printing.

The original, old-style serif typeface was designed primarily with text composition and legibility in mind. Garamond typefaces are elegant, with scooped serifs, and their simple letter recognition gives them an easy reading feel for long bodies of text. You can also take notice of their soft, rounded serifs, oblique stresses, and medium-contrast, flag-shaped top serifs.

Over the Garamond typeface history, many font variations have been developed over the span of many centuries. French printer Jean Jannon was one of the first individuals to create his own refined versions of the old-style Garamond font. Then other designers emerged, creating their own revisions based on the founding design.

The common Garamond variations used today include Garamond Simoncini, Garamond Monotype, Garamond Berthold, Garamond ITC, and Garamond Stempel. You can see a comparison in the illustration below. 

Adobe Garamond and Garamond Pro are the most modern and commonly used. Adobe Garamond was released in 1989 and has become a typography staple throughout design. It captures the beauty of the original Garamond typeface, while offering a contemporary digital type family.

With the development of OpenType font technology, Adobe Garamond issued a Pro type family that takes advantage of OpenType’s features. Adobe Garamond Pro was designed by Robert Slimbach and published by Adobe, so that now the classic type family can be used in OpenType applications, such as Adobe InDesign. Fonts similar to Garamond Pro can be found on Envato Elements.

garamond font variations adobe simoncini monotype berthold ITC Stemple typefacegaramond font variations adobe simoncini monotype berthold ITC Stemple typefacegaramond font variations adobe simoncini monotype berthold ITC Stemple typeface

What Is Garamond Used For? 

Have you ever noticed the use of the Garamond font in manuals, novels, or any printed material? The Garamond font has been used in Harry Potter, Dr. Seuss, The Hunger Games, the Abercombie & Fitch logo, and Apple’s “Think Different” campaign. You might also have spotted it in the original Google logo.

The font’s remarkable legibility makes it ideal for setting type in printing books. It is more often used in print, on large amounts of body text, rather than for on-screen or web use. Most classic fonts have on-screen limitations, so an alternative web-appropriate font like Georgia is typically used instead of Garamond. Modern web typography has certain restrictions compared to paper, when it comes to letterforms, due to the limits of our on-screen display technology. 

So is the Georgia font similar to Garamond? Below is a pixel preview comparison sample of the two in the same 12pt font size. The Garamond font looks more pixelated and muddled in comparison to the Georgia font, which looks larger and more crisp. Georgia has sharper serifs and doesn’t blur on-screen like the Garamond font. Is Georgia font similar to Garamond? Yes it is, and you should use it for on-screen purposes.

is georgia font similar to garamondis georgia font similar to garamondis georgia font similar to garamond

Now let’s discover 15 fonts similar to Garamond.

15 Fonts Similar to Garamond

If you ask yourself what font is similar to Garamond, there are many fonts that possess the classic font style and readability traits of Garamond. Let’s look at a few fonts similar to Garamond Pro and Garamond styles. Below you will find 15 substitutes for the Garamond font style. They’re all available from Envato Elements.

1. Anko

A mixed style of the Roman Old Style serif, Anko features organic forms, smooth strokes, and soft edges. This gives the font a flowy, readable quality and a warm aesthetic, similar to Garamond fonts.

This legible and clear typeface would make a great alternative to Garamond and can be used for books and magazines. Download it from Envato Elements

ank serif font envato elements similar to garamond roman classic classy old styleank serif font envato elements similar to garamond roman classic classy old styleank serif font envato elements similar to garamond roman classic classy old style
anko font display old style serif roman classic book print layout anko font display old style serif roman classic book print layout anko font display old style serif roman classic book print layout

2. Moetya (TTF, OTF, WOFF)

A modern and elegant serif typeface, Moetya is similar to Garamond with the thick and thin line lettering variation, and it’s also suitable for writing content. It possesses a feminine style letter form, which makes it ideal for beauty magazines, fashion products, and luxurious content creation. The Moetya font also features multilingual support for various languages including German, Swedish, French, Italian, and more.

elegant serif font moetya similar to garamond modern feminine magazines logo luxurious layoutelegant serif font moetya similar to garamond modern feminine magazines logo luxurious layoutelegant serif font moetya similar to garamond modern feminine magazines logo luxurious layout
elegant serif font moetya similar to garamond modern feminine magazines logo luxurious layoutelegant serif font moetya similar to garamond modern feminine magazines logo luxurious layoutelegant serif font moetya similar to garamond modern feminine magazines logo luxurious layout

3. Vanio

Vanio is a strong wedge serif font, focused on legibility just like Garamond. The classic type letterforms are designed to fit many typesettings, with readability in mind. This font consists of ten font styles, from regular to extra bold.

The Vanio font family is good for magazine layouts, books, and corporate and branding design elements. Vanio’s strong and highly legible style makes it good as an all-round choice for both body text and headlines.

vanio font book magazine layout legible typeface similar to garamond truetype fontvanio font book magazine layout legible typeface similar to garamond truetype fontvanio font book magazine layout legible typeface similar to garamond truetype font
vanio classic typeface for book magazine classy book read legiblevanio classic typeface for book magazine classy book read legiblevanio classic typeface for book magazine classy book read legible

4. Slippery

The Slippery serif font family could also be used as an alternative to Garamond. It’s composed of eight font styles and features warm edges, slippery italics, and spacious letterforms. Its readability characteristics are optimal for use in small books, magazines, and branding. 

slippery font styles classic warm readable text family book web classy similar to garamondslippery font styles classic warm readable text family book web classy similar to garamondslippery font styles classic warm readable text family book web classy similar to garamond
slippery font styles classic warm readable text family book web classy similar to garamondslippery font styles classic warm readable text family book web classy similar to garamondslippery font styles classic warm readable text family book web classy similar to garamond

5. Quixote (OTF, TTF, Web Fonts)

A classic serif typeface, the Quixote font pack offers a clean and unique typography style, which can be used as a web font as well. Ideal for simple and minimal design, the Quixote typeface is optimal at any size and is recommended for graphic design elements, newspapers, and poster design.

Quixote Typeface Classic serif typeface ttf webfont similar to GaramondQuixote Typeface Classic serif typeface ttf webfont similar to GaramondQuixote Typeface Classic serif typeface ttf webfont similar to Garamond

6. Giveny (TTF, OTF)

A more distinctive, business-like font with similar characteristics to Garamond is Giveny. It’s trendier and features squarish-like serif shapes as well as diminished contrast of strokes. This crafted font is suitable for graphic design, posters, stationery, merchandising, and much more. It supports multilingual characters, so you’re set if you work in various languages. 

Classy serif font giveny multilingual logo greeting cards  fancy classy elegant stylishClassy serif font giveny multilingual logo greeting cards  fancy classy elegant stylishClassy serif font giveny multilingual logo greeting cards  fancy classy elegant stylish
classic serif font wedding invitation similar to garamond merchandise magazine bloggerclassic serif font wedding invitation similar to garamond merchandise magazine bloggerclassic serif font wedding invitation similar to garamond merchandise magazine blogger

7. Rossanova

The Rossanova font family consists of 36 font styles. An elegant and beautiful font, Rossanova features vertical rather than slanted stress, has organic semi-serifs, and features leaf-like tapered terminals on the ends. Its optical style is fit for reading, as well as a display font for posters and headers.

rossanova typeface semi serif font family similar to Garamond feminine rossanova typeface semi serif font family similar to Garamond feminine rossanova typeface semi serif font family similar to Garamond feminine
rossanova typeface preety elegant font similar to garamond display large rossanova typeface preety elegant font similar to garamond display large rossanova typeface preety elegant font similar to garamond display large

8. Fraternite

Fraternite is a serif font with a unique set of curves and decorative cut-ins, which makes it the perfect font for branding or editorial designs. Its display of masculine and feminine qualities makes it compatible with all types of design, from logos to apparel, advertising, and more. It’s a good alternative font choice to Garamond if you’re looking for a similar font with plenty of style.

fraternite serif font similar to Garamond logo headline modern brandingfraternite serif font similar to Garamond logo headline modern brandingfraternite serif font similar to Garamond logo headline modern branding
fraternite serif font similar to garamond display title header brandingfraternite serif font similar to garamond display title header brandingfraternite serif font similar to garamond display title header branding

9. Monceias  (TTF, OTF)

A more natural, hand-drawn font that’s still similar to the classic Garamond is Monecias. It’s a great serif font for almost all types of print design projects, as it features upper and lowercase letterforms, as well as multilingual characters. For a trendy, stylish look, Monecias works best for brand identity, craft work, packaging, fashion, and wedding designs.

natural hand drawn font similar to Garamond classic trendy print designnatural hand drawn font similar to Garamond classic trendy print designnatural hand drawn font similar to Garamond classic trendy print design

10. Morty Old (TTF, OTF)

Morty is a vintage, classic, and old-style serif typeface that resembles the Garamond style. It’s available in two styles, regular plus slanted, and is suitable for minimalistic and retro design.

morty old hand written font style classic multilingual similar garamondmorty old hand written font style classic multilingual similar garamondmorty old hand written font style classic multilingual similar garamond

11. Moeda (TTF, OTF, WOFF)

Moeda features soft stresses and a thinner form than Garamond, but it is a luxurious and simple serif font, designed for formal or elegant projects. It’s perfect for logos, magazines, lifestyle designs, and more. The typeface features upper as well as lowercase characters and supports multilingual text, from French to Italian, Swedish, and more.

luxury serif font moeda similar to garamond fontluxury serif font moeda similar to garamond fontluxury serif font moeda similar to garamond font

12. Florania

A luxurious and multifaceted readable font, Florania is fit for small and large projects. It works great on large and short text. It features a lot of alternates and ligature choices, which makes it a perfect fit for projects like beauty based designs, branding, logos, and more. 

Florania font similar to garamond elegant luxury web displayFlorania font similar to garamond elegant luxury web displayFlorania font similar to garamond elegant luxury web display

13. Ava (OTF)

This classy, feminine typeface family is great for headers as well as body text. Ava has slightly more exaggerated thicks and thins than Garamond. The serifs are thin, and the bases of the letterforms are wider. The font comes in three styles—Regular, Semi-bold, and Bold—and includes Latin characters, numbers, and punctuation. Optimal for editorial use, presentations, typographic work, and minimalist design.

ava classy font similar garamond print designava classy font similar garamond print designava classy font similar garamond print design

14. Aara (OTF, TTF, WOFF, WOFF2)

If you are looking to create something unfailing, Aara is a unique style font that will help you achieve winning designs. This font family consists of a pack of serif fonts of nine weights, ranging from bold to light weights. It features upper and lowercase multilingual characters, as well as numbers and punctuation. It suits modern, clean designs for logos, headlines, templates, and so forth. It’s beautiful on its own or in wide-set all caps.

aara serif font similar garamond multilinguual styles otf aara serif font similar garamond multilinguual styles otf aara serif font similar garamond multilinguual styles otf

15. Kingdom

An elegant, modern serif font, Kingdom is wonderful for use in all types of projects, such as stationery design, branding home decor, boutique brands, luxury logos, etc. It features a bold and vintage-style design with a neat and authentic style.

kingdom font elegant slassic serif font similar to garamond kingdom font elegant slassic serif font similar to garamond kingdom font elegant slassic serif font similar to garamond

What Font Goes With Garamond?

Now that we have discovered some fonts like Garamond, let’s see which fonts we can combine with the different Garamond styles. Here is a selection of five sans-serif fonts to pair with Garamond.

1. Fibon

The Fibon Sans font family is a perfect modern font to pair with the Garamond variations. The font is low in contrast, highly legible, and ideal for creating a dynamic combination.

fibon sand font family pair with garamondfibon sand font family pair with garamondfibon sand font family pair with garamond

2. George Sans (TTF, OTF, WOFF)

A clean and modern font, George Sans is the perfect companion for Garamond-like fonts. The font pack is available in eight weight styles. This sans-serif font is wonderful for editorial, branding, and print projects.

george geometric sans font pair garamond george geometric sans font pair garamond george geometric sans font pair garamond

3. Tyros Pro (OTF, TTF, Web Fonts)

The combination of Tyros Pro and Garamond-like fonts goes well. This is the perfect sans serif typeface for designing all types of corporate identities, branding, web, and print projects.

tyros pro font family pair with garamond tyros pro font family pair with garamond tyros pro font family pair with garamond

4. Visia Pro (OTF, TTF, Web Fonts)

Visia Pro is a sans-serif typeface. It features elegant and premium aesthetics that complement the Garamond font styles. Visia Pro comes with seven font weights and is a lovely choice when working with headlines, branding, corporate, web, and print projects.

visia pro san serif typeface complimentary to garamondvisia pro san serif typeface complimentary to garamondvisia pro san serif typeface complimentary to garamond

5. Hamlin (OTF, TTF, Web Fonts)

A clean, modern font to pair with Garamond is Hamlin. Its minimalistic style brings out the depth and uniqueness of your designs. Hamlin is useful for creating logos, headlines, or body text, and its simplicity complements Garamond-like fonts.

hamlin font typeface pair with garamondhamlin font typeface pair with garamondhamlin font typeface pair with garamond

Discover More Alternative Fonts

I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something about the Garamond font history, typeface style, alternatives, and what font goes with Garamond. There are plenty of similar fonts to Garamond that you could use in your projects. If you want to look for more fonts like the Garamond serif font, then be sure to check out the hundreds of available serif fonts on Envato Elements. You will surely find a selection that will work for your projects. 

And for more font inspiration, have a look at some of these articles:

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Creative Arabic Calligraphy for Beginners: Introduction

Final product imageFinal product imageFinal product image
What You’ll Be Creating

So that this course can be enjoyed by everyone, including those without previous knowledge of Arabic, an introduction to the script and to the basics of that alphabet is necessary before we start working with calligraphy proper. This is why this first lesson is unusually lecture-like. However, even Arabic speakers may find here something they didn’t know before, as we don’t necessarily learn much about the script itself in school or daily life.

What I aim to teach in this new series of easy Arabic calligraphy lessons is not the traditional flowing scripts that the words “Arabic calligraphy” evoke. As beautiful as they are, they are very formal, and it takes a long and repetitive apprenticeship to learn to draw them properly, and even longer to be able to express oneself with them (“Make patient imitation your habit”, said Ibn al-Bawwâb, one of the great names of the art). 

Additionally, we’ll review some modern Arabic fonts from Envato Elements. If you’d like to find the best Arabic fonts online for your digital projects, scroll down after this Arabic calligraphy beginner tutorial. We’ve got a selection of premium Arabic calligraphy fonts from Envato Elements.

Use this premium Arabic style font for your creative digital projects.Use this premium Arabic style font for your creative digital projects.Use this premium Arabic style font for your creative digital projects.
Use this Arabic style font for your digital creative projects.

What You Will Learn In This Easy Arabic Calligraphy Tutorial

For those who want to learn Arabic calligraphy (which I’ll refer to as khatt) in creative ways, I have put this course together, a web adaptation of the one I teach in London. Here we’ll cover:

  • Kufic vs. rounded scripts: a history of Arabic scripts
  • The Arabic alphabet 
  • How to write Arabic letters in calligraphy
  • Easy Arabic calligraphy exercises 

The course content is entirely original, as I have crystallized it from my own practice, the basis of which I acquired from a non-traditional master who taught no theory at all but put me to work for many years until this material was second nature. It may not, therefore, intersect with any official courses taught by calligraphers with an official license (ijâza). 

The aim of the learn Arabic calligraphy series is not to teach you how to faithfully imitate forms, but to give you an understanding of the letters and how they are put together, so that you can then create with them and make them your own, as I have done. To this end, we will be working with the Kufic script.

Kufic vs. Rounded Scripts: A History

Arabic calligraphic scripts can be divided into two great families: the so-called rectilinear scripts (Kufic), and the cursive or round scripts. Although Kufic is too often presented as if it were a single, specific script among the rest, that is a mistake, and it can be only be reduced to a formula in an artificial way. To clarify this, I will briefly describe the respective history of these two families and explain their fundamental differences. (Note that all the names by which we designate the scripts are applied in retrospect. Period sources used them more fluidly if at all.)

Birth of the Rectilinear Scripts

In pre-Islamic days, writing was known to the peoples of the Arabian peninsula, and a rudimentary Arabic script was in use. It was rudimentary because they had little use for it, being a culture with a strong oral tradition, and the earliest texts that have come to us show all the awkwardness of a system that hasn’t yet found its legs.

Samples of early Arabic textsSamples of early Arabic textsSamples of early Arabic texts
Samples of early Arabic texts right up to the birth of Islam

Then, almost overnight, they found themselves in the possession of something that needed to be preserved not only word for word, but down to the pauses between the words. That was the Qur’an, and it required a worthy transcription, with Arabic acquiring a special status, being seen as the language God chose for His revelation. The letters of the alphabet were now magical beings since they were capable of holding and preserving the divine Word. 

So the early scribes gave the script a makeover: Kufic was the first Arabic script to be made consciously beautiful. These were still days when those in charge of reciting the Qur’an knew it by heart, so the practical aspect of legibility was of secondary concern: much more important was the sheer beauty of the text, its balance, harmony, and the feeling of wonder it inspired.

Abbasid dynasty QuranAbbasid dynasty QuranAbbasid dynasty Quran
Abbasid dynasty Qur’an (8th or 9th c.)

This was an exciting time for calligraphy, when no rules yet existed and calligraphers played in a field of endless possibilities. The system that crystallized was coherent, but not pinned down to forms: Kufic is an essential system, where form can be constantly reinvented. 

Thus we see versions of it that are adapted to the medium of ink on vellum, and others suitable for stone, mosaic or even brickwork (the world’s first “pixel” fonts!), all recognizable as Kufic, but no two really identical. One variant, variously called Eastern Kufic or Broken Cursive, is slender with dynamic contrasts and diagonals, as if influenced by round styles but without losing Kufic traits. The one Kufic style that can really be pinned down is Square Kufic, and that because it’s the most minimal possible form of Arabic script.

Early Kufic scriptEarly Kufic scriptEarly Kufic script
The Blue Qur’an, early Kufic script (c. 900 AD)
Square and other geometric KuficSquare and other geometric KuficSquare and other geometric Kufic
Square and other geometric Kufic, from the Topkapi Scroll (Iran, Safavid dynasty, 15th c.)
Eastern KuficEastern KuficEastern Kufic
“Eastern” Kufic, 11th c.
Ornamental KuficOrnamental KuficOrnamental Kufic
Ornamental Kufic on a bowl from Nishapur (10th c.)

For 300 years, only Kufic was beautiful and monumental enough to write the Qur’an, and in the Maghrib (which means “sunset” or “West” in Arabic, i.e North Africa, the lands West of Egypt) it never lost its status but evolved a very particular cursive form, equally open to variation: the Maghribi script.

Maghribi scriptMaghribi scriptMaghribi script
Qur’an from North Africa in Maghribi script (13th c.)

Rise of the Round Scripts

On the other hand, in the Mashriq (“sunrise” or “East”, the Levant and Middle East), where the capitals of the Muslim world were always situated, vast amounts of administrative work meant a multitude of professional scribes, and that inevitably led to the rise of cursive or round scripts, quicker to write and more adapted to the smaller scale of letters and official documents. 

Eventually attempts were made to elevate a round script to the status of Kufic, to make it worthy of sacred texts, particularly because paper appeared on the scene, and as a surface had properties quite different from vellum. 

This was likely a gradual evolution, but folklore attributes to one man, Ibn Muqlah, a revolutionary invention, turning him into the legendary father of classical Islamic calligraphy. He is said to have invented a system of proportions so that all the letters are based on the height of the Alif, which itself is drawn in relation to the thickness of the pen used. 

This created consistency and harmony in the script, and, just as the invention of glass blowing changed the course of glassmaking, this put calligraphy on a new track—no comparable advances have been made since (stop and think about this: this means khatt has not significantly evolved since the 10th century). 

The Six Styles (Aqlam el-Sitta) of the classical tradition of Islamic calligraphy were created and perfected by Ibn Muqlah and his successors Ibn el-Bawwâb and Yaqût. They are the Naskh (basis for most Arabic fonts), Thuluth, Muhaqqaq, Rayhani, Riqa’ and Tawqi’ scripts.

Thuluth scriptThuluth scriptThuluth script
Line in Thuluth script (13th c.)
Naskh scriptNaskh scriptNaskh script
Qur’an in Naskh script (early 20th c.)
Muhaqqaq scriptMuhaqqaq scriptMuhaqqaq script
Muhaqqaq script, Mamluk dynasty (14th c.)
Tawqi scriptTawqi scriptTawqi script
Qur’an in Tawqi’ script (14th c.)

This was the last contribution of that part of the world. After the fall of the Abbasids in 1258, the cultural and power centre of the Islamic world moved from Baghdad to Persia, where the Persian scripts were developed: Ta’liq, Nasta’liq (still the official script of Persian and Urdu), and Shikasteh. In 1517, it was the Ottomans’ turn to inherit the Islamic world, and Turkish developments gave us the superstructured Diwani, and Ruq’a, on which today’s handwriting across the Arab world is based. Other lesser scripts arose as far as Indonesia, but had no bearing on the history of khatt as a whole.

Taliq scriptTaliq scriptTaliq script
Ta’liq script (16th c.)
Nastaliq scriptNastaliq scriptNastaliq script
Nasta’liq script (18th–19th c.)
Diwani and Diwani JaliDiwani and Diwani JaliDiwani and Diwani Jali
Diwani and Diwani Jali

Comparison

The round scripts are called in Arabic al-khatt al-mansûb, which is “the script that conforms, that is regulated”. That is the main difference with Kufic: the round scripts are formal. There are very specific rules for writing each letter and connecting them, rules to be practiced till the hand follows them automatically. 

This is to great effect, but at the expense of creative freedom. Indeed it was the mark of a great calligrapher that his work looked as if no human hand had been involved in it, let alone his own personality. This is why round scripts are simpler to teach (literally a no-brainer), but more demanding to master. 

Kufic, in contrast, is tricky to teach and demands much participation and subtlety from the student, but as it is an approach rather than a visual formula, each student’s work is then uniquely their own. As my teacher put it: “The return to Kufic is the return to the moment of first creation.”

The Arabic Alphabet

To learn Arabic calligraphy, you don’t have to speak Arabic. You can work with khatt, and in fact this script is used for a number of languages, including Persian and Urdu. But you do need a certain intimacy with the letters, so in this first tutorial, before starting to learn calligraphy or “beautiful writing”, we need to learn writing itself.

The Arabic and Latin alphabets originate in the same, Phoenician alphabet. They therefore have similarities (by and large the letters match, for instance), but they are also very different in other respects. Here are the features to be aware of, that a Western user may find most challenging:

  • Arabic is written from right to left.
  • There are 28 letters, but many of them are differentiated by dots, so there are in fact only 18 letterforms (morphemes) for the 28 sounds (phonemes). That’s a lot less to learn when we look at the letters in detail.
  • There are no vowels; vowel sounds are indicated by a system of diacritics I will detail in a later lesson. This is entirely optional! Most of the time we don’t indicate these sounds at all. In khatt, they can be added for extra ornamental effect, or ignored altogether.
  • Hyphenation does not exist. A word has to end on the same line it begins.
  • Letters have no capital forms. Instead, their form changes depending on their position in the word (initial, medial, final, or isolated). This sounds more complicated than it actually is, because few letters change dramatically. Several only really have one form. The real point to pay attention to is whether they connect or not (see next point).
  • In Latin scripts (for instance in English), letters are connected in handwriting or calligraphy, and disconnected when they are printed. In Arabic, it depends on the letters. All letters can connect on the right, but some letters won’t connect on the left. A poetic tradition says these are angelic letters, because they are attached to their origin (God) but detached from what follows (the world). When I speak of non-connecting letters, I refer to those that don’t connect on the left.
Non-connecting lettersNon-connecting lettersNon-connecting letters

Here are the letters, arranged to group similar shapes together, in a sequence known as the graphic sequence (used in modern dictionaries). This chart shows the letters’ isolated form only, and how groups of letters share the same letterform. It also gives you their names, which are useful to know, and the sounds they correspond to, which is not so important for our purposes.

Alphabet chart The names and forms of the lettersAlphabet chart The names and forms of the lettersAlphabet chart The names and forms of the letters

(Note: the pronunciation of some letters, such as jîm ? , can vary considerably across the Arab world. As we are only working with the written letter, this is of little consequence for our purposes.)

This next chart shows you the 18 letterforms only, in their final, medial and initial forms, and the non-connecting letters, marked with red crosses. The forms in black are the ones that are actually different, and the greyed-out ones are there just to give a complete picture. 

If you look at them closely, you’ll notice they are not different forms of those letters at all, just a preview of how they look with a connection on the right, so it’s safe to ignore them. But the black ones actually change altogether, and we’re going to look at this “letter anatomy” closely in our next lesson.

Letterforms in their different positionsLetterforms in their different positionsLetterforms in their different positions

Here’s one last chart showing the original and more meaningful numeric sequence. Back in the day, as was the case for many alphabets, Arabic had no separate symbols for numbers (1234…): each letter had a numerical value and could be used to indicate a number. The numeric sequence reflects that order. It is known as abjad hawaz, a way of vocalizing (starting from the right!) and remembering it: Abjad Hawwaz ?u??i Kalamon Sa’afa? Qarashat Thakhadh ?a?hagh.

The numeric sequenceThe numeric sequenceThe numeric sequence

These “words” do not mean anything, but in esoteric symbolism, they are the names of eight angels supporting the divine Throne that surrounds all the worlds. This gives you a feel of the cosmic importance imparted on the alphabet, said here to surround and support the known universe.

Easy Arabic Calligraphy Exercises

Today’s exercises aim to simply make you familiar with these two basic behaviours of the letters in a word: how they change form and how they connect (Arabic speakers may skip them). So with no concerns about aesthetics, grab any paper and pen to practice the below. The answers for these two exercises are in the source file attached to this lesson: download and unzip (after you’re done!).

1. Here is a list of words written with detached letters in their isolated form. Using the alphabet charts for reference, rewrite the words properly connected, with the letters in the correct form for their position (they are in the correct order).

Exercise 1Exercise 1Exercise 1

2. Pushing it a notch: transcribe the following into Arabic. Remember the letters need to be rearranged from right to left.

Exercise 2Exercise 2Exercise 2

3. I would also recommend an image search of “Kufi calligraphy” to familiarize your eye with its various forms. If you can recognize some of the letters above in the results that come up, kudos, but if not, it’s OK. We’re going to look at them really closely in our next lesson.

5 Top Modern Arabic Fonts From Envato Elements

Now you know how to write Arabic letters in calligraphy. I hope you’ve enjoyed my Arabic calligraphy tips and exercises.

Now, if you want Arabic fonts online for your creative digital projects, we’ve got you covered.  We’ll review some of the best Arabic calligraphy fonts from Envato Elements.

If you’re a digital creator, you’ll love our subscription-based marketplace. For a low monthly fee, enjoy unlimited downloads of the best modern Arabic fonts. You can also get unlimited premium fonts, graphic templates, actions and presets, and more.

Let’s review some cool Arabic style fonts from Envato Elements:

1. Khodijah: Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF)

Khodijah - Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF)Khodijah - Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF)Khodijah - Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF)

Are you looking for cool Arabic fonts online? Check this one out. Khodijah is a new Arabic style font with elegant alternates, swashes, and ligatures.

This Arabic calligraphy font is based on Hijaiyah letters. This makes it highly usable for any Islamic or Middle East content. Try modern Arabic fonts like this for your next creative project!

2. Tcho: Multilingual Typeface (OTF, TTF)

Tcho - Multilingual Typeface (OTF, TTF)Tcho - Multilingual Typeface (OTF, TTF)Tcho - Multilingual Typeface (OTF, TTF)

Tcho is a very versatile typeface. If you create projects in many languages, this modern font is your best option.

This multilingual font covers many scripts: Latin, Cyrillic, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, and Thai. It’s an OpenType font with alternate characters and swashes. Use Tcho for all your multilingual designs!

3. Tharwat Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF, WOFF)

Tharwat -Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF, WOFF)Tharwat -Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF, WOFF)Tharwat -Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF, WOFF)

Tharwat is one of our newest modern Arabic fonts. This Arabic style font is sans-serif and focuses on readability. 

This Arabic font is easy to install and works on MS Word and the Adobe suite. You can create amazing designs with Arabic fonts online.

4. Mustopha: Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF)

Mustopha - Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF)Mustopha - Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF)Mustopha - Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF)

Mustopha is a very elegant Arabic style font. Arabic calligraphy fonts like this are based on Hijaiyah letters and classic Latin handwriting. 

This modern Arabic font comes with many symbols and stylistic ligatures. Use it for your creative projects today!

5. Samir: Elegant Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF, WOFF)

Samir - Elegant Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF, WOFF)Samir - Elegant Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF, WOFF)Samir - Elegant Arabic Style Font (OTF, TTF, WOFF)

Looking for decorative Arabic fonts online? Samir is for you. Modern Arabic fonts like this are easy to read and easy to install. You can use them for posters, invitations, branding, and anything you wish.

Explore More Easy Arabic Calligraphy Tutorials and Resources 

You’ve learned the basics in this Arabic calligraphy beginner tutorial. You’ve also seen some top Arabic calligraphy fonts for your digital projects.

Remember, this post is part of our learn Arabic calligraphy series. If you want to explore more Arabic calligraphy tips and resources, check these out:

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Weekly Short Story: The Magician

On Monday mornings, I send out a story via email: ultra-brief tales of 1,000 words or more, usually in genres including science fiction, horror, and the supernatural. Those stories collectively are called Once Upon A Time. I’ve also published three ebooks and one paperback anthology of those stories so far.

I’d love to have you as a subscriber to the weekly free story. You can subscribe via email here, or use the form below. Unsubscribe any time, from the link in every issue.

Continue reading “Weekly Short Story: The Magician”

38 Cool Photoshop Text Effects, Actions & Styles for 2021

Find text effects, Photoshop text styles and Photoshop text templates that are fun and simple to use! Check out this list of premium resources below.

Create inspiring quotes with graphics that sell! Working in Photoshop has gotten a whole lot easier thanks to designers all over the world sharing their high-quality text effect templates and Photoshop text templates.

Cyberpunk - 80s Retro Text EffectsCyberpunk - 80s Retro Text EffectsCyberpunk - 80s Retro Text Effects
The Cyberpunk – 80s Retro Text Effect is available on Envato Elements

These templates feature cool Photoshop text effects, Photoshop styles, actions, and PSD layer styles to save valuable time and energy. Photoshop text templates help you create stylish, creative results in seconds rather than hours.

That’s why we’ve put together another great selection of premium resources to help make your titles, headers, and quotes come to life. This collection of Photoshop text effects has been handpicked from the amazing sections of Envato Elements and Envato Market, and it features the latest trends in design for 2021.

Where to Find the Best Photoshop Text Effects in 2021 (With Unlimited Use)

Are you looking for the best Photoshop text effects and actions for your toolkit? Envato Elements is the best place to go. 

Enjoy unlimited downloads of Photoshop text effects from Envato ElementsEnjoy unlimited downloads of Photoshop text effects from Envato ElementsEnjoy unlimited downloads of Photoshop text effects from Envato Elements
Enjoy unlimited downloads of Photoshop text effects from Envato Elements

Envato Elements is our subscription-based marketplace. For a low monthly fee, enjoy unlimited cool Photoshop text effects. At Envato Elements, you can also download the best graphic templates, actions and presets, fonts, royalty-free photos, and more.

20+ Best Photoshop Text Effects From Envato Elements

1. 80s Retro Text Effects vol.1 (PSD)

80's Retro Text Effects vol.180's Retro Text Effects vol.180's Retro Text Effects vol.1

Are you a fan of the 80s retro style? You’ll love this Photoshop text effect. It transforms your text into nostalgic 80s styles in a few clicks. Use this Photoshop text effect to create posters, logos, and anything you wish. This 80s Retro Text Effects pack includes ten different styles in high resolution. Try them today!

2. Cyberpunk – 80s Retro Text Effects (PSD, ASL)

Cyberpunk - 80s Retro Text EffectsCyberpunk - 80s Retro Text EffectsCyberpunk - 80s Retro Text Effects

The cyberpunk look is another trending style. Try this cool Photoshop text effect to create the best retro posters, logos, flyers, and more. This cool set of 80s Retro Text Effects includes ten different styles. It’s very easy to edit, and it’s well organized in layers. 

3. 3D Retro Text Creator (ATN)

3D Retro Text Creator3D Retro Text Creator3D Retro Text Creator

Our next example features this cool retro text creator inspired by various vintage styles. Transform your flat text into beautiful 3D typography that works well for many projects. To run this action, simply load it from the Actions window, and then select the style you need and hit play. It’s that simple!

4. ShinyPixel’s Text Effect No. 01 (PSD)

Photoshop Text EffectsPhotoshop Text EffectsPhotoshop Text Effects

Check out this trendy aesthetic! This effect isn’t limited to text either—apply it to shapes and other vector content too! Just pop them into the smart object, and voila! You’ve got yourself an eye-catching visual effect!

5. Epic Text Effects for Adobe Photoshop (PSD, ASL)

Epic Text Effects for Adobe PhotoshopEpic Text Effects for Adobe PhotoshopEpic Text Effects for Adobe Photoshop

This set of text effects comes with eight different PSD files for Adobe Photoshop. Create a wide variety of different titles and text effects—it’s as easy as placing your content into a smart object! 

6. Smoke Logo Text Effect (PSD)

Smoke Text Effect PhotoshopSmoke Text Effect PhotoshopSmoke Text Effect Photoshop

Doesn’t this effect look amazing? It’s hard to believe that something so visually stunning is so easy to use! Check out the instructions—smart objects make using this effect a breeze. Place, save, and check out the results.

7. Colorful Text Effects for Adobe Photoshop (PSD)

Colorful Text Effects for Adobe PhotoshopColorful Text Effects for Adobe PhotoshopColorful Text Effects for Adobe Photoshop

There are so many fun effects to choose from in this set of text effects for Adobe Photoshop. This is another one that’s not limited to text—try out other shapes and vector objects too! These effects would be a great addition to any collection.

8. Salt and Sugar Generator – Photoshop Actions (ABR, ASL, ATN, PAT)

Salt and Sugar Generator Photoshop ActionsSalt and Sugar Generator Photoshop ActionsSalt and Sugar Generator Photoshop Actions

The textures in these Photoshop actions are amazing. Not only can you build words and shapes out of “salt” or “sugar”—you can do so inverted too! Carve your words out of a pile of salt! How cool is that? 

9. 3D Cartoon Text Effects (PSD)

3D Cartoon Text Effects3D Cartoon Text Effects3D Cartoon Text Effects

Fun and full of personality, this set of text effects has so much to offer. Whether you’re looking for something cartoony, bubbly, or just something different and memorable, this set is definitely worth checking out. 

10. Photoshop Retro Text Effects (PSD)

Photoshop Retro Text EffectsPhotoshop Retro Text EffectsPhotoshop Retro Text Effects

If you’re looking for a lovely set of retro effects, look no further. There are 12 to choose from here, each with a lovely, three-dimensional look and feel.

11. Vintage Letterpress Texture Effects (PSD)

Vintage Letterpress Texture EffectsVintage Letterpress Texture EffectsVintage Letterpress Texture Effects

The textures in these effects are so lovely. Enjoy ten different Photoshop files here, and test these effects out with your favorite type, shapes, and vector content. Check out the different styles in the examples!

12. Liquid Tasty Text Effects (PSD, ASL)

Liquid Text Effects PhotoshopLiquid Text Effects PhotoshopLiquid Text Effects Photoshop

Doesn’t this text look squishy and sticky? It’s hard to believe how easy it is to use this effect. Whether your goal is sticky juice, liquid metal, or green slime, this text effect is super fun to use.

13. Retrica: Vintage Text Effects Pack (PSD)

Retrica Vintage Text Effects PackRetrica Vintage Text Effects PackRetrica Vintage Text Effects Pack

Relive the charm of nostalgic, vintage text. This brilliant text effects pack is fun and easy to use. It includes ten vintage text effects with wonderful options like 3D effects and more. Get fully editable files that are easy to update. Use them for posters and print work!

14. Real 3D Text Mockups (PSD)

Real 3D Text MockupsReal 3D Text MockupsReal 3D Text Mockups

You don’t have to be a 3D expert to enjoy fantastic text. This premium mockup pack features six Photoshop files with fully editable 3D smart objects. Easily change the text and font to your favorites, and take advantage of the stunning backgrounds also included!

15. Glitch Text Effects Collection (PSD)

Glitch Text Effects CollectionGlitch Text Effects CollectionGlitch Text Effects Collection

Love the glitch trend? Incorporate glitch effects into your typography with this awesome collection. This text effect bundle includes simple smart object replacements for incredible glitch effects. Make powerful, vibrant effects and edit them to your liking!

16. Cinematic 3D Movie Mockups (PSD, ASL)

Cinematic 3D Movie MockupsCinematic 3D Movie MockupsCinematic 3D Movie Mockups

Working on a new indie project or short film? Try out these stunning cinematic layer styles, perfect for any Photoshop lover. This pack includes six Photoshop files that are simple and easy to use. Simply follow the instructions also included in the ready-to-use help file. 

17. Halloween Horror Photoshop Layer Styles (PSD)

Halloween Horror Photoshop Layer StylesHalloween Horror Photoshop Layer StylesHalloween Horror Photoshop Layer Styles

Get messy with this Halloween-inspired set of Photoshop layer styles. Apply them to your text for a one-of-a-kind party flyer. This pack includes amazing styles like slime, mummy, and epic night-time vibes. Update your flyers and posters with cool text!

18. Neon Layer Styles (PSD, ASL)

Neon Layer StylesNeon Layer StylesNeon Layer Styles

Light up your graphics with these incredible layer styles. Featuring a retro-inspired neon effect, these styles include over 70 light effects for top-quality imagery. Choose from 63 color variations and 15 realistic backgrounds. 

19. Old Movie Title Text Effects (PSD)

Old Movie Title Text EffectsOld Movie Title Text EffectsOld Movie Title Text Effects

Relive the classics with this vintage set of old movie title effects. Inspired by the silent movie era and the beginning of film, these text effects feature six different looks that are fully editable. Just switch out the words with your favorite quote or movie title.

20. Vintage Comics Text Effects (PSD)

Vintage Comics Text EffectsVintage Comics Text EffectsVintage Comics Text Effects

Our next text effect bundle includes ten high-quality Photoshop files for exciting comic effects. Inspired by the famous 20th-century comic book industry, this pack makes funny, romantic and thrilling text effects for your visuals. Add them to your collection!

21. Glitter Type (PSD)

Glitter TypeGlitter TypeGlitter Type

Design fabulous headers for stationery, websites and more with this extraordinary glitter type. It includes 49 characters of letters, numbers, and symbols, so you can mix and match each character for an incredible result. Change the brightness and colors easily to save time!

22. The X-Ray Type (PSD)

The X-Ray TypeThe X-Ray TypeThe X-Ray Type

See right through your messages with this creative X-ray type. Inspired by real-life X-rays, this set includes a full set of letters created as adjustable smart objects. Enjoy using it with Photoshop or getting access to high-quality JPEGs. You’ll love the result!

23. Text Effects Bundle (PSD)

Text Effects BundleText Effects BundleText Effects Bundle

Need an epic text effects bundle? Try this incredible suite. It includes many trendy effects inspired by cosmic, underwater, and retro themes. Edit the shadows and light effects for brilliant, custom results. A quick PDF help guide is also included for more information.

15 Best Photoshop Text Effects From Envato Market

If a subscription isn’t your thing and you just need a single text effect or action, we’ve got you covered. Browse through the library of premium Photoshop text effects from Envato Market and get the one you love.

There are thousands of actions to choose from. Here’s a hand-picked selection of the best ones: 

1. 80s Style Text Effect (PSD, ASL)

80s Style Text Effect 80s Style Text Effect 80s Style Text Effect

Create fantastic retro-inspired text effects like this fun 80s style. Featuring 16 amazing Photoshop styles with incredible neon and metallic colors, this template was super fun to edit. Just switch out the text or font and save the image right away! You’ll love this one. 

2. 3D Foil Balloon Text Effects for Photoshop (PSD)

3D Foil Balloon Text Effects for Photoshop 3D Foil Balloon Text Effects for Photoshop 3D Foil Balloon Text Effects for Photoshop

The foil balloon effect is trending right now on Instagram! Add delightful party balloons to your designs in a few simple steps. This download comes with five Photoshop files with fully editable layers you can customize fast. Try it out!

3. Neon Underground Photoshop Effect (PSD)

Neon Underground Photoshop Effect Neon Underground Photoshop Effect Neon Underground Photoshop Effect

Recreate the magical underground vibes of your favorite restaurant or dive bar! This new neon set features incredible neon light effects for text, shapes, and more. Also included is an extra pack of backgrounds to use in your designs. Download it today!

4. Gold Text Effects (PSD, ASL)

Gold Text EffectsGold Text EffectsGold Text Effects

Gold text effects make your work look luxurious and expensive. Transform your titles and stationery with this fabulous set of premium gold text effects. This pack features ten Photoshop files with beautiful metallic textures, including various gold and silver options!

5. 3D Wood Creation Text Effect (PSD, ASL)

3D Wood Creation Text Effect 3D Wood Creation Text Effect 3D Wood Creation Text Effect

Get crafty with this cool text effect! This 3D wood creator turns your logos or titles into realistic wooden letters! It features two 3D text effects and 32 wooden textures, so you’ll be able to combine your favorite natural textures for one phenomenal result. Give it a try!

6. 3D Retro Sculpting Text Actions (PSD, ASL)

3D Retro Sculpting Text Actions3D Retro Sculpting Text Actions3D Retro Sculpting Text Actions

You don’t have to be a Photoshop professional to get access to amazing retro 3D text. This next Photoshop action pack includes four actions with realistic sculpting effects for remarkable logos and more. Use them for an authentic retro look.

7. 3D Color Metal Photoshop Action (ATN)

3D Color Metal Photoshop Action3D Color Metal Photoshop Action3D Color Metal Photoshop Action

Want a pristine metal effect for your text? Try this epic 3D color Photoshop action. With ten color presets, this Photoshop action adds green, gold, and many more beautiful colors to your metal effect. A helpful PDF guide is also included. Check it out!

8. 18 Marble Text Effects (PSD)

18 Marble Text Effects18 Marble Text Effects18 Marble Text Effects

Marble effects aren’t just for your home! Get the most out of this gorgeous pattern with this pack of marble text effects. Including 18 effects with various colors, these text effects feature realistic marbling with high-quality textures. Use them on logos and more!

9. Fantastic 3D Text Effects (PSD, ASL)

Fantastic 3D Text EffectsFantastic 3D Text EffectsFantastic 3D Text Effects

3D text effects are great for movie titles and more! Check out this fantastic set packed with ten premium styles you’ll definitely enjoy. Mix and match the styles for more intensity and add amazing realistic colors and textures. Use them for text, shapes, and logos!

10. Bokeh Text Effect Photoshop Actions (ABR, ATN)

Bokeh Text Effect Photoshop Actions Bokeh Text Effect Photoshop Actions Bokeh Text Effect Photoshop Actions

Love bokeh effects? Now you can apply them to all your titles and text with this Photoshop action. Make unlimited combinations for a bright and energetic effect that fits many styles of photography. Check out more previews by clicking the link! 

11. 10 Creative Text Effects (PSD, ASL)

10 Creative Text Effects10 Creative Text Effects10 Creative Text Effects

Choose from ten creative text effects to make your headers stand out with this awesome package! Including fully scalable letters and effects, this pack features high-resolution layer styles that are easy to use. Simply add your favorite effect with just one click!

12. Christmas Text Effect Photoshop Action (ABR, ATN)

Christmas Text Effect Photoshop ActionChristmas Text Effect Photoshop ActionChristmas Text Effect Photoshop Action

Are you in the holiday spirit? Add sparkly effects to your holiday invites with this super pretty Photoshop action. Create magical, Christmas-inspired text that will fit all your holiday cheer. Enjoy this one-click action for less than $10. Add it to your collection! 

13. Illustrative 3D Styles (PAT, ATN)

Illustrative 3D Styles Illustrative 3D Styles Illustrative 3D Styles

Add fun patterns and textures to your work quickly and easily! This illustrative 3D styles set includes three different styles at four different angles each! Make sure to install the pattern and action files included in order to make the most out of this package!

14. 3D Ice Cool, Freeze & Snow Text Effects (PSD, ABR, ASL)

3D Ice Cool Freeze  Snow Text Effects3D Ice Cool Freeze  Snow Text Effects3D Ice Cool Freeze  Snow Text Effects

Create ice-cool text effects with the click of a button! This awesome Photoshop text effect is a new addition, with exciting frozen elements. Mimic the look of snow, frozen letters and so much more in less time! Get 40 different styles with incredible 3D effects.

15. Energy Text Photoshop Action (ABR, ASL, ATN)

Energy Text Photoshop ActionEnergy Text Photoshop ActionEnergy Text Photoshop Action

There are endless color possibilities with this next energetic action. Energy is a text effect action that is perfect for movie titles, typography, and more. Create electrifying text effects with Photoshop versions CS5 and above. Check it out!

Explore More Cool Text Effects Tutorials

Love text effects and Photoshop actions? Check out these tutorials to further get in on the fun!

Show Us Your Text Effect Designs!

Tried any of these assets? Let us know! Tell us your favorite text effects in the comments below.

This has been a collection of premium resources perfect for the avid designer. For more cool Photoshop text effects, check out Envato Market and Envato Elements, or enlist the help of our talented professionals at Envato Studio. Happy designing!

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