Identify Quay’s ITC family and its character
The publisher credits David Quay and describes rounded corners, a pronounced baseline and figures evoking American advertising of the 1960s. That stylistic comparison is separate from the documented 1983 creation date. Keep ITC and the listed Santa Fe Std name with your reference, since a search can surface other Santa Fe products. Lobster and Allura are independent comparisons here; follow the original publisher specimen to inspect Quay’s actual lettering.
Proof the capital-shaped lowercase e in context
Set “Meet me here” and compare its repeated e forms within the complete phrase. Add your intended venue name and invitation title rather than judging the letter from an alphabet alone. Ask whether the word shapes remain clear at the final card size, especially where several similar letters occur together. Keep an ordinary-case version before trying an all-cap treatment. The unusual e is part of the design’s identity, so choose wording and scale with it visible rather than attempting to disguise it through extra decoration.
Preserve the baseline connections when spacing
The publisher advises setting letters close enough to touch. Begin with the actual font’s default spacing and inspect the connections in your chosen phrase at a large editing size. If adjusting space, compare an untouched duplicate after every change. Avoid applying broad tracking across the whole script line simply to fill a fixed width, since it can separate joins. Adjust the title’s size or line break first. Then view the result at final size so technically touching strokes do not become an indistinct dark band.
Test alternates and the date as separate elements
Quay’s publisher account notes alternative forms. Save a baseline composition, replace one available glyph at a time through the actual application’s glyph access, and assess the whole word after each change. Keep “18 June” on a separate line while choosing title alternatives, then decide whether the date should use the script or a simpler companion face. Export a final proof containing the real punctuation and names. Record the exact family, style and applicable license with the editable source before passing the invitation to another editor.
Your questions, answered.
When was David Quay’s Santa Fe created?
The ITC publisher account dates it to 1983. Its reference to the feel of 1960s advertising describes stylistic character rather than a release date.
Why does a lowercase e look like a capital E in Santa Fe?
The publisher explicitly identifies that form as a distinguishing feature of Quay’s design. Test repeated e forms in the complete words you intend to set.
Sources & background
Sources supporting this page’s explanations. Practical examples are our editorial suggestions.