The master German calligrapher Karlgeorg Hoefer created the Sho typeface for Linotype's Calligraphy for Print collection. Sho is very different from most calligraphic typefaces,in that it creates its own new style,rather than mimicking an older one. Hoefer's striking letters have generous forms. They were created with a wide lettering brush. This tool influenced the strong,expressive quality of the strokes. The design was originally going to be named after the comedian Charlie Chaplin,because when examined carefully,the lower case c looks like a sleeping man in a boat. This idea had to be discarded due to copyright issues,and the typeface was finally given the name Sho to signify its almost Japanese style.

Sho distinguishes itself formally from other faces via the extreme contrast between its strokes. A unique characteristic of the font is the way it uses simple round forms in many of its letters,lending text set in Sho a peppy and playful feeling."