Posted on 2026-02-27
Typography is one of the most important elements in graphic design. When done right, it can elevate a design and make it feel polished and intentional. When done wrong, it can throw off the entire composition, making even the best visuals feel unbalanced and unprofessional. You might have stunning imagery, strong color choices, and a solid layout, but if the typography is off, the whole design suffers.
Here are five of the most common typography mistakes designers make (and how to fix them).
#1 Using Too Many Fonts
Using too many different fonts is a one-way ticket to giving your design an early grave. While it may be tempting to use several “cool” fonts, doing so often overcomplicates the design, destroys hierarchy, and makes the work feel unprofessional.
A strong design typically uses no more than two or three fonts. If you find yourself needing more variety, try using different weights, sizes, or styles within the same font family instead of adding new fonts.
#2 Bad Leading (Line Spacing)
Good leading (or line spacing) makes text comfortable to read, visually balanced, and intentional. When leading is done well, you may not even notice it. When it’s done poorly, it becomes immediately obvious.
Tight leading makes text feel cramped and difficult to read, while loose leading creates too much space, causing text to feel disconnected and floaty. A good rule of thumb is to set body text line height to 120-150% of the font size. Headlines should be tighter, but never so tight that they feel constricted.
#3 Ignoring Hierarchy
Hierarchy helps guide the viewer through your design and allows them to easily distinguish between different types of information. Headlines should be clearly separated from body text, and subheadings should help organize content.
A common mistake is making all text the same size and weight, causing everything to blend together. To fix this, experiment with different sizes, weights, and styles. Your headline should grab attention. Subheadings should guide the reader. Body text should support, not compete.
#4 Over-Centering Type
Centering text may feel like a safe choice, but it is often the opposite. While the intention is to make the design feel balanced, over-centering can make text harder to read and visually awkward.
Centered text is especially problematic in long paragraphs because the uneven starting point slows the reader’s eye. Instead, use left-aligned text for body copy, and reserve centered text for short headlines, quotes, or invitations where readability isn’t compromised.
#5 Ignoring Kerning and Tracking
Kerning is the adjustment of space between two specific letters, while tracking adjusts spacing across an entire word, line, or paragraph. These details may seem subtle, but they play a major role in how professional your typography looks.
Leaving letter spacing untouched, especially in logos and headlines often leads to awkward gaps or cramped letters that feel unfinished. Even non-designers subconsciously notice when spacing is off. To fix this, manually adjust kerning for large text so letterforms feel cohesive, and slightly loosen tracking when working with uppercase text.
To End, good typography doesn’t beg for attention, it earns it. The best designs feel effortless because the type is doing its job quietly and confidently. If something feels “off” in your design, chances are the typography is the culprit. Slow down, zoom in, and treat type as a design element not an afterthought. Your work will thank you.