"Which Canva font to use?" is a common question for entrepreneurs who aren't professional designers. The sheer number of choices can be intimidating. However, the most effective approach isn't about finding one "perfect" font; it's about building a consistent and professional system for your brand's typography. Here is a strategic guide to choosing and managing your fonts in Canva.
1. Structure Before Style: Establish a Font Hierarchy
Before you even think about specific fonts, you need a plan. The best practice is to establish a clear font hierarchy for your headings, subheadings, and body text. A strong hierarchy makes your content easy to read and projects an image of professionalism and reliability. Defining these roles upfront is the first step to creating a cohesive visual identity.
2. One-Click Consistency: Your Brand Kit is Your Best Friend
The Canva Brand Kit is one of the most powerful features for any startup. It serves as a centralized repository where you can pre-load your chosen font hierarchy. Once established, these font styles are readily accessible in the editor, allowing you to apply them with a single click. This saves a tremendous amount of time and, more importantly, enforces the discipline needed to build brand recognition.
3. Beat Designer's Block: Use Pre-Designed Font Combinations
If you're feeling the pressure of Imposter Syndrome about your design skills, Canva has a feature to help. The "Text" tab in the editor provides a library of pre-designed font combinations that have been professionally paired. This is an invaluable tool that takes the guesswork out of the process, ensuring your typography looks harmonious and well-designed without needing a background in design.
4. Less is More: Prioritize Simplicity and Clarity
When advising on logo design, I suggest that founders should focus on "simplicity, clarity, and relevance to their industry". This exact principle should be applied to your font selection. An overly complex or decorative font can be difficult to read and may undermine your credibility. A simple, well-executed font choice is far more effective and professional than a complicated one that doesn't fit your brand.
5. Scale Your Brand, Not Your Headaches: Enforce Consistency with Teams
As your startup scales, maintaining brand consistency becomes a major challenge. Without a central system, team members may start using incorrect fonts, leading to a fragmented customer experience that dilutes your brand. Using Canva for Teams solves this by creating a single source of truth for your visual identity. Everyone on the team has access to the same Brand Kit, ensuring that every design created is cohesive and on-brand.
Terence Latimer is an Information Communications & Technology professional, consultant, and entrepreneur based in the Mojave Desert.
I write about my experience in startups, tech, and the art of business. I’m also the Founder of Latimer Digital, a creative technology agency.
Follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn. Feel free to subscribe to my newsletter here.