Typography

Note: This page contains references to some links that are only accessible by HHS staff. For more information, email the HHSC Office of Communications.

For web applications, refer to the web developer typography section.

Font Usage in the HHS Brand

The HHS brand relies on three collections of fonts: Formal, Informal and Universal. The fonts chosen for each collection are meant to embody the HHS Champion brand while meeting accessibility guidelines.

Templates
The HHS templates contain recommended fonts, leading and heading styles. Don’t use hard returns or spaces to create leading or indentations. HHS staff can access templates online. DSHS-specific templates are also available.

Titles and Headlines
Each collection has slab-serif font options to use for titles and headlines. Slab-serif fonts have weight and readability to grab a reader’s attention. Don’t use italics in titles and headlines, because they reduce readability.

Headings and Body Copy
Each collection has sans-serif font families for use in headings and body copy. In printed documents with a lot of text, use the collection’s serif font to improve readability. These chosen fonts convey the approachable nature of the HHS brand.

Choose a collection based on the type of materials being produced and the target audience:

  • Formal: For high-profile reports, external communications and some client materials.
  • Informal: For most client materials and internal communications.
  • Universal: For documents created or viewed in Microsoft Office, email correspondence and memos.

Maximize Readability

  • Use simple fonts without ornate lettering.
  • Websites should use slab-serif fonts only for large headings and sans-serif fonts in all other places.
  • Use generous margins and white space so your text is more inviting to read.
  • The leading (space between lines of text) should not be too tight or too roomy. A line-height of 1.5 times the font size is usually ideal.
  • For body text, the optimal line length is 50–75 characters per line, including spaces.
  • Make sure heads, subheads and correlated body text are visually grouped together. For example, a subhead should be closer to the text it introduces than the text above it.
  • 10-point Verdana is acceptable for tables.
  • 11-point Verdana is acceptable for body copy. Use large font sizes for older adults and people with visual impairments.
  • For electronic accessibility, assign fonts through stylesheets or in Microsoft Office themes.

Font Collections

In addition to the approved fonts listed here, designers can use other fonts to style words considered background art. This text must be considered non-essential and should be included in the alt-tag of the image in the accessible file.

Formal

Slab-serif fonts for titles, headlines and level-one headings (pick one)
Sans-serif fonts for level-one headings, subheads and body copy (pick one family)
Sans-serif for level-one headings, subheads and body copy (pick one family)
Serif fonts for dense body copy in printed materials (pick one)

Informal

Slab-serif fonts for titles, headlines and level-one headings (pick one)
Sans-serif for level-one headings, subheads and body copy (pick one family)
Serif fonts for dense body copy in printed materials (pick one)
Additional options for projects such as videos

Universal

Slab-serif fonts for titles, headlines and level-one headings
Sans-serif fonts for level-one headings, subheads and body copy (pick one font family)
Serif fonts for dense body copy in printed materials (pick one)

Obtaining Fonts

Most HHS staff should use Universal fonts, which work on all computers and usually come installed with Microsoft Office.

Designers and vendors who use Adobe’s Creative Cloud can install Formal and Informal fonts through Adobe TypeKit or download them online.

When creating PDFs, make sure fonts are embedded so the file will display correctly, even if someone does not have the fonts used in their system. Universal fonts generally work without embedding because they are available on most computers.

Because of licensing restrictions, HHSC and DSHS Office of Communications cannot provide font files.

Font Sources

  • Adobe Typekit: Adelle, Museo, Roboto Slab, Aller, Myriad Pro, Fira Sans, Open Sans, Minion Pro, Garamond (fonts are available with subscription or for purchase).
  • Free online: Arvo, PT Sans (FontSquirrel and Google Fonts are reliable sites).
  • Paid licenses: Archer Bold, Memphis, Trade Gothic, Rotis Sans (MyFonts is a reliable site).

Users should be familiar with license restrictions when installing fonts. Check with IT about installing fonts.