Number Two: A Playful Display Font That Brings Pencil-Sketched Charm to Editorial Design
It happened while I was staring at a blank blog header, trying to decide whether to go modern minimalist or something warmer. The redesign of my lifestyle blog had been months in the making—new color palette, cleaner layout, better photography. But the header font? That was the piece that refused to click. I wanted it to feel personal, like something you’d scribble in a notebook, not another polished sans serif that looks like it belongs on a corporate landing page. That’s when I remembered a display font I’d bookmarked weeks earlier: Number Two.
Number Two is exactly what it sounds like—a playful font where every letter looks like it was written on a pencil. The brackets become the pencil tip and eraser, and the underscore inserts blank pencil spaces. It’s clever without being gimmicky, and it immediately gave my blog header the relaxed, hand-drawn feel I was after. But beyond that first impression, I discovered that this is a font with real editorial range. Let me walk you through how I used it, what I learned, and why it might be the creative spark your next project needs.
A Font That Feels Like a Scribble, Not a Statement
When you first open Number Two, you notice the personality. Each character is constructed with pencil-like strokes—thin, slightly uneven, with a texture that suggests real graphite on paper. The pencil tip and eraser brackets frame the letters in a way that feels both functional and whimsical. It’s the kind of typeface that makes you want to trace the letters with your finger. For a lifestyle blog, that tactile quality was exactly what I needed. It said: this is a space for real life, not polished perfection.
The underscore trick—typing an underscore to create a blank pencil—is a small detail that makes a big difference. I used it in my blog header to separate the words “Morning” and “Pages,” and the blank pencil acted as a visual pause, a little breath between ideas. It’s the kind of feature that rewards the curious designer. You don’t notice it at first, but once you do, you start finding creative ways to use it.
Why Number Two Works for Titles, Headers, and Decorative Accents
Number Two is a display font, which means it’s designed to shine at larger sizes. It’s not a body copy font—you wouldn’t set a whole article in it, and you shouldn’t. But for titles, subtitles, pull quotes, and decorative accents, it’s a charmer. I used it for my blog post headers, the chapter titles in a recipe ebook I was designing, and the section dividers in a printable wedding guide. At 48 to 72 points, the pencil texture becomes a feature, not a distraction. At smaller sizes, it starts to lose its definition, so I’d recommend keeping it large and letting it breathe.
For editorial designers, this is the kind of font that adds personality without shouting. It’s not a script font, which can sometimes feel too feminine or ornate. It’s not a handwritten font, which can be inconsistent. Number Two sits somewhere in between—structured enough to be readable, playful enough to be memorable. I found it worked beautifully for pull quotes in a digital magazine layout. The pencil-like letters drew the reader’s eye without overwhelming the text.
Building Visual Hierarchy with Number Two
One of the challenges of editorial design is creating a clear visual hierarchy. You want the reader to know where to look first, what’s important, and what’s supporting content. Number Two helps with that because it’s such a distinct voice. When I used it for the main title in a coaching workbook, it immediately established the top level of hierarchy. The subtitle, set in a clean sans serif, felt like a natural companion. The body copy, set in a readable serif, did the heavy lifting.
For a newsletter graphic, I experimented with Number Two as a decorative headline. The blank pencil feature came in handy again—I used it as a separator between the headline and the introductory paragraph. It gave the graphic a handmade feel that my subscribers responded to. In a world of polished newsletter templates, a little imperfection goes a long way.
Pairing Number Two with Serif and Sans Serif Fonts
Every display font needs a good pairing. Number Two is no exception. For my lifestyle blog, I paired it with a classic serif font for the body copy. The serif font provided the warmth and readability that Number Two couldn’t, while Number Two handled the decorative lift. For a recipe ebook, I used a clean sans serif for the ingredient lists and instructions, and Number Two for the recipe titles. The contrast was delightful—the structured sans serif kept the instructions clear, while the playful pencil titles made each recipe feel like a hand-written note.
For captions and navigation, I stuck with the sans serif. It’s a reliable choice for small text because it stays crisp and legible. The key is to let Number Two be the star of the show without letting it overrun the layout. Use it sparingly, and it will reward you.
Readability Considerations for Screen, Print, and PDF
Because Number Two is a display font, readability at small sizes is a concern. On screens, I recommend using it for headings and titles only. At 24 points and below, the pencil texture can start to blur, especially on mobile devices. For PDF exports and print materials, the texture holds up better because of the higher resolution. I tested it in a printable planner, and the titles looked crisp and charming at 36 points. For long-form reading, stick with your body copy font—Number Two isn’t designed for that, and it shouldn’t be.
For mobile layouts, keep the font size generous. I used it in a newsletter graphic that was viewed primarily on phones, and at 48 points, it was still readable and engaging. The key is to test it on your intended devices before committing to a design.
Practical Details: Styles, Licensing, and File Formats
Before you start designing, check what’s included with Number Two. Does it come with multiple weights? Ligatures? Alternates? Multilingual support? These details matter, especially if you’re working on a commercial project. For my ebook, I needed to make sure the font included the special characters for recipe measurements and foreign language ingredients. Number Two handled that well.
Commercial font licensing is also worth understanding. If you’re using Number Two in a paid newsletter, a client publication, a digital download, or a template you sell, you’ll need the right license. Most premium font foundries offer standard and extended licenses, so read the terms carefully. I’ve seen too many designers accidentally use a personal license for commercial work. Don’t let that be you.
File formats are another consideration. Number Two is available in OTF and TTF formats, which work across most design software. For web use, you might need a web font license or a WOFF file. For print, the OTF version is usually sufficient. I used it in Adobe InDesign for my ebook and Canva for my newsletter graphics, and it worked seamlessly in both.
Where Number Two Shines in Real Projects
Let me give you a few realistic examples of where Number Two can elevate your work. For a lifestyle blog, use it in the header, post titles, and pull quotes. For a recipe ebook, use it for recipe titles and chapter headers. For a wedding guide, it’s perfect for decorative section dividers and the cover title. For a coaching workbook, it brings a personal, hand-drawn feel to the workbook title and main headings. For a printable planner, it adds charm to the monthly headers and note sections.
For newsletter graphics, it’s a standout. I used it for a “Welcome” header in a welcome email, and it immediately set a warm, personal tone. For social media graphics, it works well for quotes and announcements. The key is to use it in contexts where you want to signal: this is personal, this is handmade, this is human.
Final Thoughts on Using Number Two in Your Editorial Toolkit
Number Two is more than a novelty font. It’s a thoughtful display typeface that brings warmth, personality, and a sense of craft to editorial design. Whether you’re redesigning a blog header, laying out a recipe ebook, or creating a printable guide, it offers a distinctive voice that stands out in a sea of polished, predictable fonts. It’s not for body copy, and it’s not for every project. But when you need a font that feels like a pencil sketch, a handwritten note, or a creative spark, Number Two is ready to play.
I’ve been using it for months now, and it still makes me smile every time I see it. That’s the sign of a font that belongs in your toolkit. If you’re a blogger, publisher, or editorial designer looking for a display font with real character, give Number Two a try. You might just find the perfect voice for your next project.
