Copperplate, designed by Frederic W. Goudy in 1901, is a small caps serif typeface known for its engraved look, wide letter spacing, and formal elegance. While it’s often used for business cards, certificates, and high-end branding, its distinctive style also appears in film titles and signage. The sharp serifs and all-caps format give it an authoritative yet refined feel.
However, Copperplate’s licensing can be costly, and its unique look might need subtle adjustments for modern use. Whether you want a free option, a web-friendly version, or a style with a softer or bolder personality, there are plenty of good alternatives.
Here’s our curated list of 7 typefaces similar to Copperplate, including premium and free choices.
Visual Comparison
Sample Text: THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPS OVER THE LAZY DOG
| Font | Preview |
|---|---|
| Copperplate | Image preview here |
| Copperplate Gothic Bold | Image preview here |
| Engravers Gothic | Image preview here |
| ITC Blair | Image preview here |
| Trajan Pro | Image preview here |
| Cinzel | Image preview here |
| Cormorant Garamond SC | Image preview here |
| Forum | Image preview here |
Premium Alternatives
1. Copperplate Gothic Bold (Frederic W. Goudy)
- Style: Small Caps Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Direct family variant of the original Copperplate.
- Key Difference: Heavier weight for more impact.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Monotype Fonts.
2. Engravers Gothic
- Style: All-Caps Sans-Serif / Engraved
- Why It’s Similar: Shares the engraved, wide-set letter style without serifs.
- Key Difference: Sans-serif version for a more minimal look.
- Price & Availability: Paid — URW Type Foundry.
3. ITC Blair
- Style: Sans-Serif with Engraved Feel
- Why It’s Similar: Similar proportions and spacing to Copperplate.
- Key Difference: Sleeker, more modern sans-serif forms.
- Price & Availability: Paid — ITC Fonts.
Free Alternatives
4. Trajan Pro (Carol Twombly)
- Style: Serif, Roman Capitals
- Why It’s Similar: Shares the monumental, all-caps elegance of Copperplate.
- Key Difference: Inspired by Roman inscriptions, slightly more classical.
- Price & Availability: Free with Adobe Creative Cloud.
5. Cinzel (Natanael Gama)
- Style: Serif, Roman Capitals
- Why It’s Similar: Closely echoes Copperplate’s engraved, formal style.
- Key Difference: Slightly higher contrast and sharper serifs.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
6. Cormorant Garamond SC (Christian Thalmann)
- Style: Small Caps Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Small-cap styling with refined engraved details.
- Key Difference: Adds Garamond-inspired elegance to the structure.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
7. Forum (Denis Masharov)
- Style: Serif Display
- Why It’s Similar: Engraved-style capitals with wide proportions.
- Key Difference: Decorative yet highly legible for headlines.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
Recommendation Summary Table
| Font Name | Similarity Score (1–5) | Free/Paid | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copperplate Gothic Bold | ★★★★★ | Paid | Branding & certificates |
| Engravers Gothic | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Minimal engraved look |
| ITC Blair | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Sleek, modern engraved style |
| Trajan Pro | ★★★★☆ | Free* | Film titles, formal branding |
| Cinzel | ★★★★☆ | Free | Web & print elegance |
| Cormorant Garamond SC | ★★★☆☆ | Free | Editorial & formal design |
| Forum | ★★★☆☆ | Free | Decorative engraved headlines |
Conclusion
If you want a perfect premium match, Copperplate Gothic Bold delivers the authentic style.
For a fresh, free option, Cinzel offers excellent engraved elegance for digital and print.
If you need a minimal take, Engravers Gothic or ITC Blair give you a cleaner modern twist.
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