Reviewing UnifrakturMaguntia: Trendy Blackletter Font Speaking Tradition

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In this issue...

How to Use Blackletter UnifrakturMaguntia for Logo and Branding


Font of the Week 

Way Back When We Blackletter

You might have seen a font like this on medieval-themed merchandise. Fonts of this genre are called Blackletter. It is a font style that originated from Western Europe in the 11th Century. There are several “styles” of Blackletter—all of them share common characteristics of sharp angular lines with significant contrasts. 

Img: different styles of Blackletter. source: Wikipedia
Different styles of Blackletter. source: Wikipedia

Blackletter is enjoying a resurgence in contemporary visual branding. Brands are putting a modern spin on the traditional Blackletter. Nowadays, we often find it outside of its original, historical context. 

As a Blackletter font, UnifrakturMaguntia has a traditional design that brings a specific historic feel. Before using, think about whether it is appropriate for your brand. If you decide to use UnifrakturMaguntia and worry about looking dated, you can combine this font with trendy color combinations and font pairings.

Img: Gutenberg’s Bible is one of the best-known examples of Blackletter in the Textura style. source: library of congress
Img: Gutenberg’s Bible is one of the best-known examples of Blackletter in the Textura style. source: library of congress

Font Details

  • Large and sharp contrast in strokes
  • Uppercase letters are slightly round
Font details of UnifrakturMaguntia. As you can see, the uppercase is very hard to read.
Font details of UnifrakturMaguntia. As you can see, the uppercase is very hard to read.

General Usage Tips

  • More suitable for logo
  • Has only one weight
  • Avoid using excessively. It is hard to read for marketing copy

How do I use it for logo? 

  • Communicates history and traditions (from Europe)
  • Perfect for brands wanting to emphasize historic, traditional, or artisanal themes
  • Some brands used Blackletter for purely aesthetic purpose; for example, Glossier “G.” 

How do I use it for marketing and branding?

  • It is more suitable for display purposes to wow the audience
  • Perfect for Instagram, wrapping paper, t-shirt, showpieces
Left-top: book made using UnifrakturMaguntia; left-bottom: Juicy Couture brand; middle-top: New York Times reimagined as a modernized Blackletter; middle-bottom: Glossier G logo mark using a black letter; right-top: film poster for Only Lovers Alive; right-bottom: design studio Priest and Grace logomark. source: fontsinuse, elitedaily, priestandgrace.com
Left-top: book made using UnifrakturMaguntia; left-bottom: Juicy Couture brand; middle-top: New York Times reimagined as a modernized Blackletter; middle-bottom: Glossier G logo mark using a black letter; right-top: film poster for Only Lovers Alive; right-bottom: design studio Priest and Grace logomark. source: fontsinuse, elitedaily, priestandgrace.com

Design Idea of the Week 

White Space 

Renowned design writer Steven Heller once said, “in art as in life, white space is the ultimate luxury.” Inside an art gallery, we see many white walls. This is also true for design. Inside coffee table books, we see layouts with minimal content per page. In many luxury brand websites, we see spacious pages with simple typography. Products are often displayed on a muted gray background to give the illusion of more space. White space is the ultimate signifier of an upscale attitude. It shows that there is plenty of room to spare. It communicates luxury. Can this idea play into your design project?

White space, also known as the negative space, is the unused, unmarked space around the content
White space, also known as the negative space, is the unused, unmarked space around the content

Color Inspiration of the Week 

This issue uses colors inspired by Spring. 

Colors palettes from spring flowers. source: Pinterest
Colors palettes from spring flowers. source: Pinterest

Creative Prompt

Can you use UnifrakturMaguntia, white space, or this week’s color palette to create a Twitter or Instagram visual for your project?


Thank you

UnifrakturMaguntia is available here.

tips on using UnifrakturMaguntia
Tips on using UnifrakturMaguntia

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