What are Non-Web Safe Fonts?
Non-web safe fonts are fonts that are not universally supported across different devices and email clients. Unlike
web safe fonts such as Arial, Times New Roman, and Verdana, non-web safe fonts might not be installed on all devices, leading to inconsistencies in how your email appears to recipients.
Why Should You Care About Font Compatibility?
In
email marketing, the consistency of your message presentation is crucial. Using non-web safe fonts can cause rendering issues, making your
email campaigns look unprofessional or unreadable. This can negatively impact user experience, leading to decreased engagement and higher unsubscribe rates.
How to Safely Use Non-Web Safe Fonts in Email?
While using non-web safe fonts carries risks, there are methods to use them effectively: Font Stacks: Define a fallback font stack in your CSS. This ensures that if the preferred font isn’t available, a similar web-safe font will be used instead.
Image-Based Text: For headings or special sections, consider using images with the desired font. However, be cautious as this can increase load times and isn’t accessible for
screen readers.
Web Fonts: Services like
Google Fonts and Adobe Fonts offer web fonts that can be embedded using CSS. However, support for web fonts varies among email clients, so thorough testing is essential.
Which Email Clients Support Non-Web Safe Fonts?
Support for non-web safe fonts varies significantly across email clients. Clients like Apple Mail and iOS Mail generally support embedded web fonts, whereas others like Gmail and Outlook have limited or no support. Always test your emails in multiple
email clients to understand how your fonts render.
Best Practices for Using Fonts in Email Marketing
To maintain a professional and consistent appearance in your email campaigns, follow these best practices: Test Extensively: Before sending out your campaign, test your email across different email clients and devices to ensure compatibility.
Keep It Simple: Stick to a limited number of fonts and sizes to avoid clutter and improve readability.
Fallback Fonts: Always define fallback fonts in your CSS to maintain a consistent look even if the preferred font isn’t available.
Consider Accessibility: Ensure that your font choices and text sizes are accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments.
Conclusion
While non-web safe fonts offer unique branding opportunities, they come with challenges in
email marketing. By understanding the limitations and following best practices, you can use these fonts effectively without compromising the user experience. Always remember to test your emails thoroughly and have fallback options to ensure your message is delivered as intended.