Today Font Review: A Handwritten Typeface for Modern Branding
A Fresh Start with Today
I recently opened a brand board for a small artisanal coffee shop looking for a warm, approachable identity. The client wanted something that felt human, not corporate. I reached for Today, a handwritten script font I’d seen in a few creative portfolios. Right away, the font gave me that “handmade but polished” feel I was after.
Today is a charming, slightly whimsical script font that walks the line between casual and professional. It has a natural flow, with soft curves and gentle variation in stroke weight. It’s not overly ornate, which makes it more versatile than some of the bolder script fonts I’ve used in the past. The personality is friendly, sincere, and just a little nostalgic — perfect for brands that want to feel accessible without sacrificing style.
Logo Design and Brand Identity
I tested Today on the logo concept first. I set the shop name in all caps using the font’s swash alternates and paired it with a clean sans-serif for the tagline. The contrast worked beautifully. The logo felt like a warm invitation rather than a hard sell.
One thing I noticed is how well Today holds up at different sizes. At large sizes, it’s expressive and full of character. On smaller applications like business cards, it still reads clearly — especially when I used the simplified glyph versions. That said, I wouldn’t recommend it for long paragraphs or small body text in print.
It’s best suited as a display font or logo font, where its personality can shine without sacrificing legibility. If you’re working on a brand that leans into authenticity — like a local bakery, boutique shop, or wellness brand — this font could be a strong visual anchor.
Packaging, Web, and Social Media Use
Next, I dropped Today into a packaging mockup for custom coffee bags. I used it for the product name and a short tagline. It gave the design a boutique feel without looking too precious. I also tried it on a website hero section, where it worked well as a header over a soft background image. The font’s soft edges balanced the clean layout and made the brand feel more personable.
On social media mockups, especially Instagram stories and Pinterest graphics, Today stood out beautifully. It added a handcrafted touch to quote posts and product announcements. I did have to be careful with spacing — some of the characters have long tails that can clash if tracking isn’t adjusted.
One of the best features of Today is the set of alternates and ligatures included in the font package. These small touches let me customize the look depending on the application. I used a few of the swash characters for the main logo, but kept them subtle on packaging to maintain readability.
When Today Might Not Be the Right Fit
While Today is a versatile script font, it’s not one-size-fits-all. I wouldn’t use it for formal corporate branding or technical documentation. It lacks the structure needed for long-form body text and doesn’t carry the authority that a serif or modern sans-serif might.
If you’re designing for a law firm, financial service, or academic publication, you’ll want to look elsewhere. And if your brand leans more minimal or tech-forward, this font may feel out of place. It thrives in spaces that value warmth, personality, and a touch of imperfection.
I also recommend testing Today across all your intended applications before committing. Try it in print, on screen, and at various sizes. Make sure the character set covers any special symbols or languages you need, especially if your brand has an international audience.
Pairing and Practical Tips
For font pairing, I found Today works best with clean, modern typefaces that let it be the star. I paired it with a geometric sans-serif for most of the project, and it balanced the design beautifully. In editorial-style layouts, I used a serif font for body text, which gave the design a more classic feel without clashing.
If you’re going for a more playful look, try pairing it with another script or handwritten font — but keep the second font more restrained so the design doesn’t feel chaotic. The key is contrast: let Today be the expressive element, and build around it with simpler typefaces.
Before using Today in client work or commercial projects, always check the licensing. If you’re designing merchandise, packaging, or web assets, make sure the license allows for those uses. Some fonts are limited to personal use only unless you upgrade to a commercial license.
