Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 12, 2026

Folio (typeface)

Folio is a sans-serif typeface in the neo-grotesque style designed by Konrad Friedrich Bauer and Walter Baum in 1957 for the Bauer Type Foundry. Bauer licensed the design to Fonderie Typographique Française for sale in France under the name Caravelle.

Last revised
Jun 12, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
219 w
Citations
9
Source
CategorySans-serif
ClassificationNeo-grotesque
DesignersKonrad Friedrich Bauer
Walter Baum
FoundryBauer Type Foundry
Date released1957

Folio is a sans-serif typeface in the neo-grotesque style designed by Konrad Friedrich Bauer and Walter Baum in 1957 for the Bauer Type Foundry (German: Bauersche Gießerei).1 Bauer licensed the design to Fonderie Typographique Française for sale in France under the name Caravelle.2

Folio is considered part of the International Typographic Style, with Helvetica and Univers also released at the same time. All three are modeled after Akzidenz-Grotesk.3 However, Folio more closely follows the original model than the other two,3 which have larger x-heights.1 The typeface experienced moderate success in the United States.3 The typeface family was extended in 1963, adding an Extra Bold weight and a Bold Condensed width.3 Bauer released 17 styles of Folio between 1956 and 1969.2

Folio Extended (Folio Halbfett) included alternate versions of upper case A, E, M, N, and R.

The cold type version was issued by Hell AG.3

References

References

  1. Meggs, Phillip B.; Carter, Rob (1993). Typographic Specimens: The Great Typefaces. Wiley. p. 139. ISBN 0-471-28429-7.
  2. "Folio in use". Fonts in Use. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
  3. "Folio® Font Family Typeface Story". Fonts.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
Bibliography

Bibliography

  • Jaspert, Berry and Johnson. Encyclopaedia of Type Faces. Cassell Paperback, London; 2001. ISBN 1-84188-139-2.
  • Macmillan, Neil. An A–Z of Type Designers. Yale University Press: 2006. ISBN 0-300-11151-7.