belltopo – Sarah Bell Maps

Map of Alaska showing the westernmost part of Alaska add the Pacific Ocean

The Font is Ready! BellTopo Sans Fonts Design Complete

by Sarah Bell
September 14, 2020August 17, 2021

About the BellTopo Sans Font I designed the BellTopo Sans font, originally inspired by the typefaces on the antique U.S.G.S. maps of the late 1800s and early 1900s. To read more about the inspiration for… The Font is Ready! BellTopo Sans Fonts Design Complete

hillshade map with sample of typeface throughout

Typography for Topography: BellTopo Sans Typeface & Free Font

by Sarah Bell
February 23, 2020August 20, 2021

While making my own USGS-inspired maps, my search never returned the exact type of font I was looking for. The fruitless search was serendipitous however, because it provided the push to make my own. It was designed for map labels that are no larger than 80-100pt, but usually much smaller. I decided to name it BellTopo Sans with the plan to create a serif version.