Snell Roundhand is a script typeface designed by American type designer Matthew Carter in 1965. It is named after the 17th-century writing master Charles Snell. The font is characterized by its fluid, flowing curves and has become a popular choice for formal invitations and other designs that require a refined, elegant look. It’s also popular for calligraphy and handwriting simulations. It was initially released by the type foundry Linotype and is now available by various foundries like Adobe, Monotype, and others with different variations.
Snell Roundhand Font Information
| Name | Snell Roundhand |
| Designer | Matthew Carter |
| Foundry | Linotype |
| Style | Script |
| File Format | various file formats (e.g. TTF, OTF, WOFF) |
| Date Released | 1965 |
| License | Depends on the foundry that distributes it but generally, it’s a copyrighted font, and a license is required to use it. |
| Type | Fonts |
Reason to Use Snell Roundhand Font
Snell Roundhand is often used for formal invitations, announcements, and other designs that require a refined and elegant look. The fluid, flowing curves of the font give it a sense of sophistication and timelessness. Additionally, the script style of Snell Roundhand makes it a popular choice for calligraphy and handwriting simulations,
it gives a sense of hand-written touch, which can add a personal touch to designs. It’s also common to use in book covers, book titles, wedding invitation cards, and packaging designs, where a formal and elegant look is desired. In general, Snell Roundhand is a versatile font that can add a touch of class to any design, whether it be for print or digital media.
Snell Roundhand Font Family (Includes Total of Typefaces)
Snell Roundhand is a single typeface, it doesn’t have a family of typefaces associated with it. However, some foundries may offer variations or related typefaces that are similar in style to Snell Roundhand. These variations can include different weights (e.g. light, regular, bold) and stylistic alternates (e.g. swashes, alternates characters) that can be used to add variety and visual interest to designs.
Additionally, some foundries may also provide a companion sans-serif typeface that can be used as a pairing. It’s important to mention that the total number of typefaces and variations can vary depending on the foundry that distributes them and the packages you are buying.
Character Map
Alternatives of Snell Roundhand Font
There are several alternatives to Snell Roundhand that have a similarly elegant and refined look. Some examples include:
- Bickham Script: Designed by Richard Lipton, Bickham Script is a typeface that has a similar style and elegance as Snell Roundhand, with ornate swashes and flourishes.
- Zapfino: Designed by Hermann Zapf, Zapfino is a typeface with a similar level of refinement as Snell Roundhand. It features highly detailed characters and multiple variations of each letter, making it a versatile choice for formal designs.
- Goudy Bookletter 1911: Designed by Frederic Goudy, Goudy Bookletter 1911 has a similar elegant, timeless look as Snell Roundhand, with a slightly more traditional feel.
- Cloister Black: Designed by Morris Fuller Benton, Cloister Black is a typeface that has a similar feel to Snell Roundhand with a slightly more traditional touch.
- Caflisch Script: Designed by Robert Slimbach, Caflisch Script is a typeface with similar fluid, flowing curves as Snell Roundhand, with a more modern look.
License Information
In general, as with most commercial fonts, you will need to purchase a license in order to use Snell Roundhand in your designs. The license will typically specify the number of computers the font can be installed on, the number of users that can use the font, and any restrictions on the use of the font (e.g. for personal use only, for commercial use only).
Supported Language
Snell Roundhand is a typeface that was designed primarily for use in the English language. It includes standard English alphabetic characters, numerals, and punctuation marks.
However, some variations of Snell Roundhand font might include additional characters for use in other languages, such as accented characters for French, Spanish, and other Western European languages. Some foundries also offer different script variations and language support for their version of Snell Roundhand.
FAQs
What is the Snell Roundhand font used for?
Snell Roundhand is a script font that is often used for formal invitations, announcements, and other designs that require a refined and elegant look. The fluid, flowing curves of the font give it a sense of sophistication and timelessness. It’s also popular for calligraphy and handwriting simulations.
Who designed the Snell Roundhand font?
The Snell Roundhand font was designed by American-type designer Matthew Carter in 1965.
Is Snell Roundhand a free font?
No, Snell Roundhand is not a free font. It is a commercial font that requires a license in order to use it in your designs. You will need to purchase a license from the foundry that distributes the font.
Are there any alternatives to the Snell Roundhand font?
Yes, there are several alternatives to Snell Roundhand that have a similarly elegant and refined look. Some examples include Bickham Script, Zapfino, Goudy Bookletter 1911, Cloister Black, and Caflisch Script.
Does the Snell Roundhand font support other languages besides English?
Snell Roundhand was primarily designed for use in the English language, so it includes standard English alphabetic characters, numerals, and punctuation marks. Some variations of Snell Roundhand might include additional characters for use in other languages, such as accented characters for French, Spanish, and other Western European languages. Some foundries also offer different scripts variations and language support for their version of Snell Roundhand.