Shadow fonts are used to suggest motion in text. They’re used most frequently in scripts such as HTML, but they can be applied to almost any kind of font. In general, a shadow font is defined as a typeface that has two shadow styles, namely a brush stroke that runs parallel to the main body of the text and a darker stroke that runs perpendicular to this line. Most shadow fonts tend to have straight lines running parallel to the main body, although some are a bit more complex with curved lines. It’s very common for a shadow to appear at the bottom of the text, below a corner stroke, or above a heading or figure.
The benefit of using drop shadow fonts is that they add an interesting effect without being too overwhelming. A word with a shadow is still legible, but it doesn’t convey the same kind of depth and weight that a real text would do. A shadow can be effective when you’re designing a brochure, for instance, because often this typeface will be accompanied by a larger image or graphic. Also, because it’s not part of the main text, it’s much less difficult to read than something like a centered block of text.
There are plenty of different kinds of shadow fonts available. For example, there are many different kinds of script shadow fonts that you can use for your design templates. Also, there are various brush styles, both free and royalty free, that can be used with these types of fonts. Whatever kind of shadow you choose for your design template, it should be one that creates a distinctive mood and image in the design. This is especially important when it comes to using shadow fonts on your web pages, where your website needs to look unique and interesting
Drop Shadow Fonts
1. Hard Shadow
Hard Shadow, the perfect typeface for headlines, logos, posters, and anything else that needs to call attention to itself.
2. Template Shadow
A series of lettering guides called “Mimeostyle” for the A. B. Dick Company of Chicago (produced for use in making mimeograph machine printing stencils) were custom manufactured by the Wright-Regan Instrument Company (Wrico).
3. Ames’ Shadow
Ames’ Shadow is a splendid traditional open shadowed typeface. It is splendid for poster and design work on its own, but al so designed to complement our Ames’ Roman and Ames’ Text families. Introduce some classic Roman flair to your work today!
4. Karara Shadow
Karara Shadow, a complete font set and additional font style of Karara. The word Karara means patience & steady.
5. Shadow Gothic
Shadow Gothic great for headlines powerful and dimensional.
6. Elcatraz Shadow
Elcatraz Shadow is a Display and fun Sans full of charm. It will take any DIY-project to the next level!
7. Cal Neuland Shadow
Cal Neuland Shadow is the shadow version of Cal Neuland Bold.
The font is ideal for comic headlines and other funny things.
8. Novin Shadow
Novin-Shadow is an outline Font with Shadow. It is based on Novin font family but as a separate headline font with Arabic and Latin characters. It is a typeface that gives the typographer and other graphic artists the possibility to use modern headline. It enables, moreover, the use of this typeface for decorative headlines and is suitable for manipulations in both vector-based and pixel-based graphic programs.
9. BLACK & SHADOW
Black and shadow is a handwritten brush font, a contemporary approach to design,suitable for use in title design such as clothing, invitations, book titles, stationery designs, quotes, branding, logos, greeting cards, T-shirts, packaging designs, posters, and more.
10. Cast Shadow JNL
Cast Shadow JNL uses the same wood type as found in Trade Printer JNL and adds to it a cast shadow in right or left versions for a bold and unique look.
Both fonts have limited character sets and should be used in point sizes larger than normally chosen to compensate for the visual discrepancy due to the cast shadow’s effects.
11. Burford Drop Shadow
The author writes : Burford is a font family that I sketched while traveling through Europe. I was mesmerized by all the unique typography that was showcased throughout the five countries I visited. Inspired by all that I had seen, I found myself spending 4-5 hours per day in Amsterdam’s Vondel Park drawing characters. Once back in the states I digitalized Burford, deciding it would make for a beautiful layer-based font.
12. Circus Poster
Circus Poster Shadow was created by Tom Rickner as a tribute to the classic Tuscan Egyptian forms used in many wood types of the 1890s.
13. Modster Script Shadow
Modster Script is a collective inspired by urban style created from the style of handlettering with love. Modster comes with a set of styles, alternatives, present and extra shadow.
Download Modster Script Shadow
14. Dynamo Shadow EF
Dynamo Shadow EF was designed by K. Sommer and published by Elsner+Flake. Dynamo Shadow EF contains 1 style.
15. Burford Rustic Shadow Two A
Burford Rustic is the weathered and textured alternative to the Burford Family. It works the same way as Burford as a layer-based font family, but with some style variations and new layering options. It includes 20 font files, starting with four texture variations from Black, Bold, Light to Ultralight. It also includes and Outline and two Inline Weights. Additionally it offers three line weights (light, medium and bold) for top layering options. There are two extruded fonts and two drop shadow fonts, all either in a solo version and set with Burford Rustic Black for users not using Opentype programs. For users that have Opentype programs, such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Microsoft Publisher and Quark, each font also comes with a set of Stylistic Alternatives for letters A C E F G H P Q R. There are two versions of each letter, and by using contextual alternatives, no two letters next to each other will be the same.
Download Burford Rustic Shadow Two A
16. Franklin Hand Cond Shadow
Franklin Gothic Condensed Shadow Hand is another one of the Franklin-Hand series. This one is very usable when one wants to signalize CHEAP!!!!
The Franklin Cond Mask is an addition that lets you put colour into the font without having to fiddle around. Just clone the text you have written in the Franklin Hand Cond Shadow and then change it over to the mask version which will exactly fit into the underlying font. Now you can change the colour to your desire.
Download Franklin Hand Cond Shadow
17. Burford Rustic Shadow One A
Burford Rustic is the weathered and textured alternative to the Burford Family. It works the same way as Burford as a layer-based font family, but with some style variations and new layering options. It includes 20 font files, starting with four texture variations from Black, Bold, Light to Ultralight. It also includes and Outline and two Inline Weights. Additionally it offers three line weights (light, medium and bold) for top layering options. There are two extruded fonts and two drop shadow fonts, all either in a solo version and set with Burford Rustic Black for users not using Opentype programs. For users that have Opentype programs, such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Microsoft Publisher and Quark, each font also comes with a set of Stylistic Alternatives for letters A C E F G H P Q R. There are two versions of each letter, and by using contextual alternatives, no two letters next to each other will be the same.
Download Burford Rustic Shadow One A
18. Archive American Shadow
Three dimensional shaded typeface.
Download Archive American Shadow
19. Anagram Shadow NF
This delightful dervish is based on handlettering from a 1928 poster for a steamship line by renowned British artist Austin Cooper. It’s essentially a monocase font, with the exception of the letter A, which twirls in one direction in uppercase, and the opposite direction in lowercase.
20. PIXymbols Signet Shadow
Monogram font provides a striking effect, giving your monogram or business logo a custom-designed look. A bordered font includes a choice of components to project your own individuality. The parts align automatically as you press the keys.
Download PIXymbols Signet Shadow
21. Franklin Gothic Hand Demi Shadow
The author writes: Franklin Gothic Hand Demi Shadow is another one in my series of hand-drawn fonts from way back in time – before computers changed the way we worked in advertising.
Download Franklin Gothic Hand Demi Shadow
22. Great Lakes Shadow NF
Heirloom grew from an interest of soft and friendly forms from the 1970s, with respect to the time’s chill vibes and natural earthy roots. Its refined approachable characteristics allow it to be very readable carry a modern relaxed attitude. Available in 3 weights: Light, Regular and Bold. Any weight can be used as a display type, logotype and/or headlines, and lighter weights would work in bodies of text. The font pairs well with natural, historical or vintage graphic elements.
Download Great Lakes Shadow NF
23. Bourton
Bourton is the sans-serif cousin to Burford. In addition to a new look, it boasts more layering options, stylistic alternatives, graphic extras and even comes with its own script font! For a hand-drawn look, check out Bourton Hand
24. Town
Town is a display collection inspired by art deco and contemporary lettering. The fonts have a classic feel, with contemporary proportions, styling and details. There are eight base weights and nine decorative styles in multiple weights. The variety of styles are designed to create bespoke brand marks, stylish liquor labels, unique restaurant menus, engaging websites and fresh magazine layouts. The fonts are built on the same foundations, so the display and decorative styles can be mixed and matched while maintaining a harmonious look. Several of the styles can also be layered together; add a subtle shadow to your headline or create a full dimensional look with an inline face. The collection is rounded out with two sets of accent fonts, and a set of text weights, with matching italics.
25. Eveleth
A premium high-resolution letterpress family with exceptional realism and vintage charm. It features 3 different sub-families each with its own unique printed texture. Each sub-family offers six distress options per letter and 3 options for all other characters allowing incredible control and customization. Bonus “spurs” have been included in every weight to add retro flair. Other features include a complimentary Thin weight, a shadow layer, a set of funky icons, a collection of useful shapes and emblems, and clean (non-distressed) versions.
25. Cocogoose Pro
Cocogoose Pro was designed as a highly reliable tool for design problem solving, and given all the features a graphic designer needs, starting from its wide range of widths and weights. Its 2000+ latin, cyrillic and greek characters make sure it covers over 200 languages worldwide, while its comprehensive set of open type features allows faultless typesetting thanks to small capitals, positional numbers & case sensitive forms. A wide range of alternate letterforms, developed along nine different stylistic sets, gives you an extra level of design fine-tuning. The layerable and color-ready display variants include inline, outline, shadow and a letterpress version that can simulate the effect of old print, also thanks to programmed randomization of its letters.