Using the Mencle Typeface for Joyful Branding Projects
I had the initial logo sketches for this new craft soda brand on my screen. The client wanted something that felt celebratory, a little retro, and utterly friendly. The existing sans-serif options felt a bit sterile, and the script fonts I tried seemed too formal. The project needed a spark—a typographic choice that would immediately communicate fun without shouting. That’s when I opened up my font library and landed on Mencle.
First Impressions: A Quirky Display Font with Character
Mencle isn’t shy, but it’s not loud either. It’s a display font with a beautifully rounded, almost bubbly structure. The letters have a gentle, consistent width and a softness to their corners that gives the whole typeface a playful, approachable feel. The lowercase ‘e’ is a particular delight—its tucked-in tail adds a subtle, quirky detail. Visually, it sits somewhere between a classic rounded sans-serif and a more handmade, joyful lettering style. Its personality is unmistakably upbeat and welcoming, perfect for brands that want to connect on a human, positive level.
For the soda logo, I typed out the proposed brand name in Mencle. Instantly, the word looked less like a corporate label and more like a signature on a party invitation. The mood shifted entirely. This wasn’t just about readability in a traditional sense; it was about setting an emotional tone right from the logo lockup.
Building a Full Visual Identity Around a Font
Once the logo was approved, built entirely with Mencle, the next step was extending that feeling across the entire brand system. A display font like this works best as a primary brand voice—it’s the star of the show for headlines, logos, and key messaging. You wouldn’t use it for long paragraphs of body text; its role is to capture attention and establish personality.
From Packaging to Social Graphics
On the soda can mockups, Mencle shone. The main product name on the label was clear and engaging. For the flavor descriptors—like ‘Lemon Ginger Zing’—I used Mencle at a slightly smaller size, and it maintained its charm without sacrificing legibility. This consistency from logo to packaging is crucial; it builds immediate recognition.
Moving into digital spaces, I designed the website hero banner. The headline, announcing the brand’s launch, used Mencle in a large, bold weight. It created a focal point that was both professional and playful. For social media graphics, using Mencle for post headlines or quote graphics made those assets feel cohesive with the printed materials. The font carries its joyful touch from a physical sticker to an Instagram post seamlessly.
The Practicalities of Pairing and Supporting Text
A brand can’t live on a display font alone. For all other text—the story on the website, the ingredient lists on the packaging, the contact info on the business card—you need a supportive typeface. For this project, I paired Mencle with a simple, neutral sans-serif. The sans-serif handles all the detailed, lengthy information with clean readability, while Mencle provides all the personality at the top of the visual hierarchy. This pairing creates a balanced system: the quirky friendliness of Mencle is grounded by the practicality of the secondary font.
It’s worth testing your pairings early. Place them side-by-side in actual contexts, like a mockup of a business card where the logo uses Mencle and the address uses the supporting font. Check how they live together on a real poster or a webpage section. The goal is harmony, not competition.
Testing the Font in Real-World Applications
Before finalizing any brand assets, I always test the primary font in extreme scenarios. How does Mencle look when printed very small on a tag? It holds up, but its display nature means you need to ensure sufficient size for its details to be appreciated. How does it look on a dark background versus a light one? Its rounded forms remain clear and friendly in both situations. I also checked it on a shop sign mockup—the large-scale application where its joyful character would truly shine and attract attention from a distance.
These tests aren’t about finding flaws, but about understanding the font’s boundaries. Knowing that Mencle excels at medium-to-large sizes for headlines and logos, but should step aside for body text, is a key piece of practical advice for any designer considering it for a client project.
Why a Font Choice Feels Like a Brand Decision
Choosing Mencle wasn’t just a stylistic selection; it was a brand strategy decision. The font’s inherent joyfulness directly influenced the audience’s perception of the product. It suggested craftsmanship coupled with fun, a premium feel without being austere. In a marketplace full of minimalist, sharp-edged brands, this choice carved out a distinct and memorable space.
The consistency it provided—from the can label to the website header to the event flyer—built a professional, cohesive identity. Clients and their customers subconsciously register that consistency; it builds trust and makes the brand feel complete and considered.
A Resource for Creative Projects Beyond Logos
While my primary case was a beverage brand, Mencle’s application stretches far wider. Imagine it on a boutique’s window decal, a skincare brand’s limited-edition box, a creative studio’s portfolio title pages, or a local restaurant’s menu specials board. Its ability to add a joyful touch makes it a versatile tool for any project that aims to connect with people on a positive, human level.
For designers working on merchandise, like tote bags or t-shirts, Mencle can create a standout graphic with minimal additional artwork. Its typographic character is strong enough to be the design itself. In editorial design, for magazine feature headlines or book chapter titles, it injects energy without overwhelming the layout.
When working with a font like this, always explore its full character set. Check for any alternate glyphs or ligatures that might offer a unique twist for a specific word in your logo. Confirm its multilingual support if your project requires it, and of course, ensure your licensing covers your intended commercial use. These practical steps ensure your creative exploration is both inspired and solidly professional.
The journey from that first blank logo draft to a full suite of branded materials was fundamentally shaped by the choice of Mencle. It moved the project from a concept to a feeling. In the end, that’s what a great display font does: it provides not just letters, but a tone, a mood, and a memorable point of connection for every creative idea you want to make stand out.
