What are Non-Standard Fonts?
Non-standard fonts refer to typefaces that are not commonly found on most devices and email clients. These fonts are distinct from standard web-safe fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, and Verdana. They can range from custom fonts to fonts from services like Google Fonts and Adobe Fonts.Why Use Non-Standard Fonts?
Using non-standard fonts can enhance the
visual appeal of your emails, helping them stand out in a cluttered inbox. They can also reinforce
brand identity by using specific fonts associated with your brand, creating a more cohesive and memorable experience for the reader.
Challenges with Non-Standard Fonts
Despite their advantages, non-standard fonts come with challenges. Not all email clients support them, leading to inconsistent rendering across different platforms. This can affect the
user experience and readability of your emails. Additionally, embedding custom fonts can increase the email's load time, potentially impacting deliverability.
Which Email Clients Support Non-Standard Fonts?
Support for non-standard fonts varies widely among email clients. Popular clients like Apple Mail, iOS Mail, and Outlook for Mac generally support them. However, others like Gmail, Outlook.com, and older versions of Outlook do not render non-standard fonts, defaulting to fallback fonts instead.Best Practices for Using Non-Standard Fonts
To effectively use non-standard fonts in your email campaigns, follow these best practices: Fallback Fonts: Always specify fallback fonts to ensure your email looks good even if the non-standard font is not supported.
Web Fonts: Use web fonts that are widely supported, such as Google Fonts, which offer a good balance between style and compatibility.
Test Extensively: Test your emails across various email clients to identify any rendering issues and make necessary adjustments.
Limit Usage: Use non-standard fonts sparingly, reserving them for headlines or key sections rather than body text, to minimize potential issues.
How to Embed Non-Standard Fonts
Embedding non-standard fonts involves using CSS within your email template. Here’s a basic example:@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Roboto:wght@400;700&display=swap');
body {
font-family: 'Roboto', Arial, sans-serif;
}
Note that not all email clients support the @import rule. For better compatibility, you can use inline CSS:
Conclusion
Non-standard fonts can significantly enhance the
design and branding of your email campaigns. However, they require careful consideration and testing due to compatibility issues across different email clients. By following best practices and preparing for potential challenges, you can effectively incorporate non-standard fonts into your email marketing strategy.