Whether you’re creating a new logo or website header, one thing is for certain: the font you choose is important. It carries a lot of responsibility for how your project will be received. After all, the font you select affects how any text you convey is read. Is it legible? Does it match the mood of what you’re offering? Is it in keeping with your project’s theme?

These are a lot of factors to weigh for something so seemingly simple. But font selection is this important as it can determine how your entire brand, project, or event is perceived. So, now that we’ve terrified you, let’s break down what a serif font is and discuss what goes into selecting an appropriate one for your next project.

According to Canva, a serif font includes serifs, which can best be described as “decorative” lines or tapers added to the beginning or endings of a letter’s stem. They often look like little extra “flicks” added at the top or bottom of a letter’s lines. Think of the official look Times New Roman gives off. That’s a serif font.

So, serif fonts tend to look quite official and formal. They can also look a bit old-fashioned. Sometimes that’s out of place in modern designs. However, many people still rely on old-fashioned style to convey a certain theme or mood within their designs. An old-world style bistro, for instance, may find a serif font hitting the precisely right tone for its signage. Similarly, an online magazine or newspaper might find a serif font to offer the right style for titles and content, alike.

Now, let’s get to the part you’ve been waiting for, our curated list of serif fonts that are perfect for injecting some old-school style into your designs. Let’s dive in!

Also Read: Headline Fonts 101: Choosing the Right Typeface for Impact

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1. Adena Slab Serif Font Family

The first serif font selection on our list is Adena. This font is described as modern, which is funny to include in a list of fonts dubbed “old-school.” Still, it fits the bill here, offering a fusion of modern typeface sensibilities, packaged in a classic serif font format. It’s bold, chunky, and demands attention. However, smaller weights could easily be used for body text. Use it for magazines, printed corporate materials, or website headers. Adena will work for a variety of purposes.

2. Basel Slab Serif Font Family

Another option is the Basel Slab Serif Font Family, which provides a distinctly modern take on older style serif fonts. It could be used in any number of ways from titles to body text, depending on the font weight you select. This font uses thinner lines but the serifs actually provide greater visual interest and variety.

3. Calvin Slab Serif Font Family

Or, you might be interested in Calvin. This serif font is described as a modern slab font and features old lines with thinner serifs that add dimension. This font feels like it’s from another time, but not in a bookish way. Rather, this font is reminiscent of old-style computer fonts, specifically 1980s computer advertising. Calvin comes with a variety of font weights, including light, medium, regular, round, bold, extra bold, and black and it has a place in more project types than we could list here.

4. Cammron Serif Font Family

Still another option is the Cammron Serif Font Family. Here’s yet another example of a modern font that makes use of old-style meets for a dramatic effect. This font is quite versatile and could easily be used for logos, titles, headers, and body text alike. It relies on a delicate balance between thick and thin lines but the font as a whole is generally thinner than others featured on this list so far. It conveys a sense of understated elegance that could lend itself well to luxury brands.

5. Chelina Slab Serif Font Family

Another option currently available is the Chelina font. This one is still another modern slab serif font but it does an excellent job of marrying old-school style in almost imperceptible ways. The serifs in this case are a bit rounded and give text a classic look without appearing outdated. This font would work well for titles and logos but it has real appeal for printed materials and even product labels. It just has that look about it.

6. Hughe Serif Font Family

If you’re looking for a font that has some of the appeal of traditional serif fonts like Times New Roman but with a modern edge, Hughe is a good choice to consider. This font features a healthy combination of thick and thin lines, exaggerated serifs, and decent letter spacing that gives every word real weight. This font creates a nice balance between bold and thin weights and could be used for larger titles as well as body text.

7. Paulose Modern Serif Font Family

Or, maybe the appeal of Paulose will speak to you best. This serif font is definitely a modern choice and features interesting variations in line thickness throughout, giving every letter a unique look and words you compose in it a different feel. Who says serifs have to look outdated, anyway? This font could easily be used to make a real statement in titles and logos but thinner weights could be used for body text, too. It’s up to you what sort of look you want to achieve here.

8. Wensley Modern Serif Font Family

Lastly, we have the Wensley font. This serif font family is another example of a modern take on a classic, with precise lines meeting at rigid angles and creating a real dramatic effect. Wensley would serve titles, logos, and header graphics equally well. However, light versions could be used in body text as well. The beauty of this sort of serif font is that it’s inherently legible, offering style without sacrificing readability. After all, if people can read what you’ve written in this font, it’s not serving you, is it?

Choosing the Right Serif Font

Picking the perfect serif font is like finding the right key to unlock a door — it opens up the potential of your design and sets the tone for your message. Every font we’ve talked about has its personality and flair. Some are bold and stand out, while others are more subtle but still carry a lot of charm. It’s all about matching the font to the vibe you’re going for. Want something that looks solid? Go for Adena. If you’re after a touch of the past but with a modern twist, Calvin could be your pick. Or if you want sleek and stylish, Wensley’s your font.

Remember, the font you choose is a big deal. It’s not just about making your design look good — it’s about making sure it feels right. So take a moment, think about what you want to say, and then find the serif font that says it best. That’s how you’ll make your design not just seen, but felt.