Ourstory December: A Handwritten Font for Editorial Warmth and Mood
I was sitting with a stack of layout proofs for a wedding guide I had been designing for a small independent publisher. The cover had a delicate watercolour border, soft ivory stock, and a title that needed to feel both celebratory and intimate. I had tested half a dozen typefaces that morning. Some were too stiff. Others were too ornamental. Then I opened the font menu and tried Ourstory December, and the entire mood of the page shifted. It was exactly the kind of characterful and cute handwritten font that could carry an editorial project without overpowering it.
Ourstory December belongs to the Script Amp category and is marketed as a Fonts product, but its real value lies in how it behaves in a layout. This is not a generic script. It has rhythmic variation, natural stroke contrast, and a gentle bounce that keeps letterforms lively without becoming chaotic. The lowercase feels like it was written with a fine nib in a relaxed hand, while the uppercase letters carry a bit more formality, making them suitable for opening words in titles or pull quotes. That balance between ease and polish is rare in handwritten fonts, and it is what drew me to test it further in a real publication setting.
A Typeface That Shapes Publication Identity
When I redesigned the header of a lifestyle blog last winter, I needed a font that could sit comfortably at the top of every post, week after week, without feeling repetitive. Ourstory December worked because it has enough personality to act as a visual anchor, but it does not scream for attention. In a blog header, paired with a clean sans serif font for navigation and body copy, it created a friendly, approachable identity. Readers responded to that warmth. The handwritten quality made the blog feel like it was written by a person, not a brand.
For editorial designers working on magazine covers, ebook titles, or newsletter graphics, Ourstory December offers something similar. It can introduce a feature article, sit above a table of contents, or act as the primary display type on a cover. The key is to let it lead without crowding it. Because the font has natural movement, it benefits from generous letter spacing in all caps and a little breathing room around it. I found that using it at larger sizes, around 36 to 72 points, preserved its charm. At smaller sizes, especially below 18 points, some of the finer details began to blur, particularly in digital layouts with lower screen resolution.
Where Ourstory December Shines in Editorial Layouts
During the wedding guide project, I used Ourstory December in three distinct ways: chapter openers, pull quotes, and decorative accents on section divider pages. For chapter titles, I set the font at 48 points in a soft mauve tone over a light cream background. The letterforms felt romantic but not saccharine. Pull quotes benefited from the font's natural rhythm because the uneven baseline added a human quality that contrasted well with the clean serif font I used for body copy. Readers tend to pause on pull quotes, and Ourstory December encouraged that pause without forcing it.
For a recipe ebook I designed later that year, I tested the font in a different context. Recipe titles became more inviting. Ingredient lists, however, I kept in a simple sans serif font for clarity. That pairing is worth noting: Ourstory December is not suited for dense paragraphs, small captions, or formal reports. Its expressiveness becomes a liability when readers need to scan quickly or parse long blocks of text. For body copy, a readable serif font or a clean sans serif font is essential. But for titles, subtitles, section headings, cover text, and decorative accents, it performs beautifully.
I also used it in a coaching workbook and a printable planner. In the workbook, each module title was set in Ourstory December, which helped establish a consistent yet personal tone throughout the PDF. In the planner, month headers and motivational phrases at the top of each weekly spread benefited from the font's friendly character. Readers of printables often look for a sense of handcrafted care, and Ourstory December delivers that without requiring elaborate ornamentation.
Readability Across Formats and Devices
One concern I always have with display fonts is how they translate across media. Ourstory December held up well in print, especially on uncoated paper where the slight texture complemented the handwritten feel. In digital formats, such as PDF ebooks and newsletter graphics, the font remained legible at medium to large sizes. On mobile screens, I recommend keeping it to headlines and pull quotes rather than body text. The thinner strokes can get lost on small displays with low contrast settings.
For creators who sell printables, templates, or course materials, the font's performance in PDF exports is solid. I tested it in Adobe InDesign and Canva, and the letterforms maintained their integrity in both flattened and editable PDF formats. If you plan to use Ourstory December in paid newsletters, client publications, or digital downloads, check the commercial font licensing included with your purchase. Many Script Amp fonts offer extended licenses for commercial use, but it is always wise to confirm before distributing files that embed the typeface.
I also checked for alternates, ligatures, and multilingual support. Ourstory December includes a selection of swashes and alternate glyphs that add flexibility for customising titles or logos. The ligatures smooth out awkward letter combinations, which is especially helpful in script fonts where certain pairs can look disconnected. Multilingual support covers most Western European languages, making it viable for international publications and branding projects.
Pairing Ourstory December with Other Typefaces
No display font works in isolation, and Ourstory December is no exception. In editorial design, it pairs naturally with a refined serif font for body copy. I used a classic Garamond cut in the wedding guide, and the contrast between the formal serif and the relaxed handwritten script created a clear visual hierarchy. Readers could instantly distinguish between narrative text and emphasised titles or quotes.
For a more modern editorial mood, I recommend pairing Ourstory December with a neutral sans serif font for captions, bylines, and navigation elements. A lightweight geometric sans serif keeps the layout clean while the script adds personality. Avoid pairing it with another decorative font, as the layout can become busy and confusing. The goal is to let Ourstory December be the voice of the publication while the supporting typeface provides structure and readability.
In logo design or packaging design, Ourstory December can stand alone or pair with a simple sans serif for taglines. Its handwritten character works well for small brands, independent publications, and creative products that want to feel personal. For social media graphics, it adds a handcrafted touch that performs well in Instagram stories, Pinterest pins, and newsletter headers.
Ourstory December is not a font for every job, but for the right editorial project, it brings a warmth and authenticity that polished typefaces sometimes lack. Whether I am designing a blog header, a wedding guide cover, a recipe ebook, or a printable planner, I keep it in my shortlist for titles and accents. It supports publication identity without shouting, and it invites readers in with a handwritten rhythm that feels like a real voice on the page.
