FRONTAGE PRO

Frontage Pro is the re-edition of the classic Frontage typeface, a charming layered type system inspired by vintage storefront vernacular, that was taking the design community by storm after its debut. Frontage Pro is its successor bringing the typeface up to speed on the latest font technology and language coverage.

Much like the original Frontage, this re-edition is a miraculous toolbox for fun, creative and colorful type settings. Most of the ten layers can be used individually, but the true power of Frontage Pro comes when multiple layers are stacked on top of each other, revealing spacial designs that pop. The underlying design of the characters is quite basic which allows for the layers to do all the flair and charm. From vintage inspired lockups to delightful branding, striking editorial and bold packaging, Frontage Pro is versatile enough to shine in a wide variety of layouts and applications. That said, Frontage Pro is a display typeface at heart and works best in short burst of copy rather than long paragraphs of text.

There are plenty of additions and improvements to the Pro typeface that separate it from the original. First and foremost there are now ten layers to work with, which opens up many new design possibilities. Further, with the help of stylistic sets, you can change the middle bar from the low to a more traditional centered position. Not only achieves this a more conventional appearance to the typeface—if that’s what you’re looking for—but also helps render the typeface in small sizes. Another stylistic set changes the slanted legs of the “M” to a vertical position. This chips away from the typeface’s character in favor of a more classic look. A circular zero and a geometric ampersand are two other stylistic design options that can be swapped in with the help of the OpenType menu in your design application.

Frontage Pro now comes with 54 catchwords. They can simply be activated through OpenType’s Discretionary Ligatures and are an easy way to enrich the typographic texture. Other improvements are the addition of automatic fractions and a complete overhaul of the design, including spacing and kerning. And lastly the character set has been expanded and now covers over 200 latin languages.

All these improvements bring Frontage Pro on par with it’s cousin Frontage Condensed, another hugely popular layered type system. Please note that with all the updates to Frontage Pro, the layers are not compatible with the original typeface.