Supportsoft Glossary

Traditional Serif Typefaces

Serif typefaces feature small decorative strokes, or "feet," at the ends of letters. They convey tradition, reliability, and authority in design. 

A serif font is defined by those little decorative "feet" at the ends of the letter strokes. These actually originate from Roman stone carving, where the chisel left a natural flare. Classics include Times New Roman and Georgia.

Psychologically, serifs feel authoritative and reliable. That’s why banks, law firms, and newspapers love them. They suggest, "We’ve been here a long time." Functionally, those little feet help guide the eye horizontally along a line of text, which is why they are great for long-form reading in books. At Supportsoft, we might use a serif for formal case studies to add a bit of weight and seriousness.