A curated list of digital specimens
of the highest quality. Updated daily.

screenshot of Söhne

Söhne

Exquisite specimen from Klim Type Foundry. On the surface, the specimen for Söhne is simply presented. Almost like a print specimen. It's not until you interact with the type that the controls appear for a feature-rich typetester. What is particularly interesting about this one is the ability to test multi-lingual definitions of 1984's Newspeak.

Published on 05 Jun 2020
screenshot of Cesium

Cesium

Hoefler&Co's specimens follow a similar templated approach, but they are considered and elegant. The full-featured type tester is front and centre inviting the user to get in and test the fonts themselves. Simple and effective.

Published on 05 Jun 2020
screenshot of Source Han Serif

Source Han Serif

Adobe's open source CJK typeface initiative. A calming and sophisticated website punctuated with line drawing illustrations and subtle interactions.

Published on 05 Jun 2020
screenshot of Quist

Quist

A functional, traditional-looking specimen from bBox Type. Leading with the various weights, sizes and simple two colour presentation, the specimen quickly moves on to describe features. The type tester is another section, but feature rich allowing the user to change paragraphs and do basic typesetting.

Published on 05 Jun 2020
screenshot of Bold Decisions

Bold Decisions

An unusual specimen, Bold Decision's Glossy specimen follows the same style as the other typefaces on sale: a simple quote is presented full screen. There's something to be said for powerful words set large and strong.

Published on 05 Jun 2020
screenshot of Fabel, the animal alphabet

Fabel, the animal alphabet

A delightful specimen to match a delightful typeface. The ligatures and tabular vs old style numerals are particularly lovely.

Published on 03 Jun 2020
screenshot of Stinger

Stinger

This is a workhorse of a specimen. Functionally driven, it's about getting the prospective customer to the features quickly for them to make a decision and try out Stinger.

Published on 03 Jun 2020
screenshot of Bold Monday - independent font foundry of high quality type

Bold Monday - independent font foundry of high quality type

Bold Monday's specimens always strike such a good balance between form and function. This new specimen for Dico opens with several stacked typetesters that go beyond just changing weights. You can also change colours, alignment, and letter spacing.

Published on 01 Jun 2020
screenshot of GT Haptik Font

GT Haptik Font

Haptic is a monolinear geometric grotesque typeface with uppercase letters and numbers that have been optimised to be read blindfolded and by touching them. The specimen takes this experience a little way on as their are touches of discovery throughout, for example, the controls to view the different weights. A bold lack of colour and simple photography add to the stark design.

Published on 01 Jun 2020
screenshot of GT Eesti

GT Eesti

This specimen is delightful. From the bold, large letters presented alongside vibrant illustrations evoking the typeface's inspiration from 1940's Soviet Russia.

Published on 01 Jun 2020
screenshot of Octothorpe

Octothorpe

This is a joy. A reimagining of a 1970's transfer lettering classic, Octothorpe's specimen takes us vertically through its features: from swashes, to contextual ligatures, to 'all sorts of figures'. No type testers here, but an invitation to try out the font elsewhere in a more templated tester as well as read an in-depth article.

Published on 01 Jun 2020
screenshot of Cymru Wales

Cymru Wales

Part case study, part specimen. The Cymru Wales font has been designed in collaboration with the Colophon Foundry. Cymru Wales has a rather overt nod to Wales' cultural and typographic history but I think it just about pulls it off without the usual Celtic clichés.

Published on 29 May 2020