diff --git a/src/aare/gui/panels/automation_panel.py b/src/aare/gui/panels/automation_panel.py
index 3a9fa166..3cd4496b 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/panels/automation_panel.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/panels/automation_panel.py
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@ from aare.gui.styles import (
     AUTOMATION_TITLE_TEXT,
     CARD_BORDER,
     FAINT_TEXT,
+    FONT_BODY,
+    FONT_LABEL,
+    FONT_TITLE,
     MUTED_TEXT,
     STEP_ACTIVE_BG,
     STEP_ACTIVE_BORDER,
@@ -62,13 +65,13 @@ class AutomationProgressWidget(QWidget):
 
         self._title_label = QLabel("Automation progress")
         self._title_label.setStyleSheet(
-            f"font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; color: {AUTOMATION_TITLE_TEXT}; margin-bottom: 2px;"
+            f"font-size: {FONT_TITLE}; font-weight: 700; color: {AUTOMATION_TITLE_TEXT}; margin-bottom: 2px;"
         )
         layout.addWidget(self._title_label)
 
         self._stats_label = QLabel()
         self._stats_label.setStyleSheet(
-            f"color: {AUTOMATION_HINT_TEXT}; font-size: 13px; "
+            f"color: {AUTOMATION_HINT_TEXT}; font-size: {FONT_LABEL}; font-weight: 700; "
             f"background-color: {SURFACE}; border: 1px solid {CARD_BORDER}; "
             "border-radius: 8px; padding: 10px;"
         )
@@ -140,7 +143,7 @@ class AutomationProgressWidget(QWidget):
     def _style_for_status(status: StepStatus) -> str:
         base = (
             "padding: 10px 12px; border-radius: 10px; "
-            "font-size: 14px; border: 1px solid transparent;"
+            f"font-size: {FONT_BODY}; border: 1px solid transparent;"
         )
 
         if status == StepStatus.SUCCESS:
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/panels/beamline_recovery_panel.py b/src/aare/gui/panels/beamline_recovery_panel.py
index f1d1d038..aa5c5a85 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/panels/beamline_recovery_panel.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/panels/beamline_recovery_panel.py
@@ -23,11 +23,13 @@ from aare.gui.styles import (
     CHIP_INFO_TEXT,
     CHIP_WARN_BG,
     CHIP_WARN_TEXT,
+    FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
     INFO_CARD_BG,
     INFO_CARD_BORDER,
     PENDING_CARD_BG,
     PENDING_CARD_BORDER,
     WARN_CARD_BORDER,
+    card_style,
 )
 from aare.gui.threads.daq_worker import DAQWorker
 
@@ -49,13 +51,14 @@ class RecoveryPanel(QWidget):
         )
         self._warning_primary.setWordWrap(True)
         self._warning_primary.setStyleSheet(
-            "QLabel {"
-            f"  background: {CHIP_WARN_BG};"
-            f"  color: {CHIP_WARN_TEXT};"
-            f"  border: 1px solid {WARN_CARD_BORDER};"
-            "  padding: 10px;"
-            "  font-weight: 600;"
-            "}"
+            card_style(
+                CHIP_WARN_BG,
+                WARN_CARD_BORDER,
+                CHIP_WARN_TEXT,
+                selector="QLabel",
+                radius=FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
+                extra="padding: 10px; font-weight: 600;",
+            )
         )
         layout.addWidget(self._warning_primary)
 
@@ -65,88 +68,95 @@ class RecoveryPanel(QWidget):
         )
         self._warning_secondary.setWordWrap(True)
         self._warning_secondary.setStyleSheet(
-            "QLabel {"
-            f"  background: {CHIP_BAD_BG};"
-            f"  color: {CHIP_BAD_TEXT};"
-            f"  border: 1px solid {BAD_CARD_BORDER};"
-            "  padding: 10px;"
-            "  font-weight: 600;"
-            "}"
+            card_style(
+                CHIP_BAD_BG,
+                BAD_CARD_BORDER,
+                CHIP_BAD_TEXT,
+                selector="QLabel",
+                radius=FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
+                extra="padding: 10px; font-weight: 600;",
+            )
         )
         layout.addWidget(self._warning_secondary)
 
         self._last_action = QLabel("Last action: -", self)
         self._last_action.setWordWrap(True)
         self._last_action.setStyleSheet(
-            "QLabel {"
-            f"  background: {INFO_CARD_BG};"
-            f"  color: {CHIP_INFO_TEXT};"
-            f"  border: 1px solid {INFO_CARD_BORDER};"
-            "  padding: 10px;"
-            "  font-weight: 600;"
-            "}"
+            card_style(
+                INFO_CARD_BG,
+                INFO_CARD_BORDER,
+                CHIP_INFO_TEXT,
+                selector="QLabel",
+                radius=FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
+                extra="padding: 10px; font-weight: 600;",
+            )
         )
         layout.addWidget(self._last_action)
 
         self._take_over_btn = QPushButton("Take over beamline", self)
         self._take_over_btn.setStyleSheet(
-            "QPushButton {"
-            f"  background: {PENDING_CARD_BG};"
-            f"  border: 1px solid {PENDING_CARD_BORDER};"
-            "  padding: 10px;"
-            "  font-weight: 600;"
-            "}"
+            card_style(
+                PENDING_CARD_BG,
+                PENDING_CARD_BORDER,
+                selector="QPushButton",
+                radius=FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
+                extra="padding: 10px; font-weight: 600;",
+            )
         )
         self._take_over_btn.clicked.connect(self._take_over_beamline)
         layout.addWidget(self._take_over_btn)
 
         self._free_beamline_btn = QPushButton("Free beamline", self)
         self._free_beamline_btn.setStyleSheet(
-            "QPushButton {"
-            f"  background: {PENDING_CARD_BG};"
-            f"  border: 1px solid {PENDING_CARD_BORDER};"
-            "  padding: 10px;"
-            "  font-weight: 600;"
-            "}"
+            card_style(
+                PENDING_CARD_BG,
+                PENDING_CARD_BORDER,
+                selector="QPushButton",
+                radius=FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
+                extra="padding: 10px; font-weight: 600;",
+            )
         )
         self._free_beamline_btn.clicked.connect(self._free_beamline)
         layout.addWidget(self._free_beamline_btn)
 
         self._recover_beamline_btn = QPushButton("Recover beamline", self)
         self._recover_beamline_btn.setStyleSheet(
-            "QPushButton {"
-            f"  background: {CHIP_BAD_BG};"
-            f"  color: {CHIP_BAD_TEXT};"
-            f"  border: 1px solid {BAD_CARD_BORDER};"
-            "  padding: 10px;"
-            "  font-weight: 700;"
-            "}"
+            card_style(
+                CHIP_BAD_BG,
+                BAD_CARD_BORDER,
+                CHIP_BAD_TEXT,
+                selector="QPushButton",
+                radius=FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
+                extra="padding: 10px; font-weight: 700;",
+            )
         )
         self._recover_beamline_btn.clicked.connect(self._recover_beamline)
         layout.addWidget(self._recover_beamline_btn)
 
         self._recovery_unmount_btn = QPushButton("Unmount sample (recovery)", self)
         self._recovery_unmount_btn.setStyleSheet(
-            "QPushButton {"
-            f"  background: {CHIP_BAD_BG};"
-            f"  color: {CHIP_BAD_TEXT};"
-            f"  border: 1px solid {BAD_CARD_BORDER};"
-            "  padding: 10px;"
-            "  font-weight: 700;"
-            "}"
+            card_style(
+                CHIP_BAD_BG,
+                BAD_CARD_BORDER,
+                CHIP_BAD_TEXT,
+                selector="QPushButton",
+                radius=FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
+                extra="padding: 10px; font-weight: 700;",
+            )
         )
         self._recovery_unmount_btn.clicked.connect(self._recovery_unmount_sample)
         layout.addWidget(self._recovery_unmount_btn)
 
         self._resync_sample_btn = QPushButton("Resync sample from TELL", self)
         self._resync_sample_btn.setStyleSheet(
-            "QPushButton {"
-            f"  background: {INFO_CARD_BG};"
-            f"  color: {CHIP_INFO_TEXT};"
-            f"  border: 1px solid {INFO_CARD_BORDER};"
-            "  padding: 10px;"
-            "  font-weight: 600;"
-            "}"
+            card_style(
+                INFO_CARD_BG,
+                INFO_CARD_BORDER,
+                CHIP_INFO_TEXT,
+                selector="QPushButton",
+                radius=FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
+                extra="padding: 10px; font-weight: 600;",
+            )
         )
         self._resync_sample_btn.clicked.connect(self._resync_sample)
         layout.addWidget(self._resync_sample_btn)
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/panels/developer_help_dialog.py b/src/aare/gui/panels/developer_help_dialog.py
index fb818a24..a8c2b47a 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/panels/developer_help_dialog.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/panels/developer_help_dialog.py
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ from aare.gui.styles import (
     PANEL_BORDER_DARK,
     PANEL_BORDER_LIGHT,
     WHITE,
+    card_style,
 )
 from aare.gui.threads.daq_worker import DAQWorker
 
@@ -69,12 +70,7 @@ class DeveloperHelpDialog(QDialog):
         self._banner.setWordWrap(True)
         self._banner.setTextInteractionFlags(Qt.TextInteractionFlag.TextSelectableByMouse)
         self._banner.setStyleSheet(
-            "QLabel {"
-            f"  background: {PANEL_BG_SOFT};"
-            f"  border: 1px solid {PANEL_BORDER};"
-            "  border-radius: 6px;"
-            "  padding: 6px 8px;"
-            "}"
+            card_style(PANEL_BG_SOFT, PANEL_BORDER, selector="QLabel", extra="padding: 6px 8px;")
         )
         root.addWidget(self._banner)
 
@@ -153,10 +149,7 @@ class DeveloperHelpDialog(QDialog):
 
         self._details_frame = QFrame(self)
         self._details_frame.setFrameShape(QFrame.Shape.StyledPanel)
-        self._details_frame.setStyleSheet(
-            f"QFrame {{  background: {PANEL_BG_FAINT};  border: 1px solid {PANEL_BORDER};"
-            "  border-radius: 6px;}"
-        )
+        self._details_frame.setStyleSheet(card_style(PANEL_BG_FAINT, PANEL_BORDER))
 
         details_layout = QVBoxLayout(self._details_frame)
         details_layout.setContentsMargins(10, 10, 10, 10)
@@ -186,12 +179,7 @@ class DeveloperHelpDialog(QDialog):
         self._detail_help.setWordWrap(True)
         self._detail_help.setTextInteractionFlags(Qt.TextInteractionFlag.TextSelectableByMouse)
         self._detail_help.setStyleSheet(
-            "QLabel {"
-            f"  background: {WHITE};"
-            f"  border: 1px solid {PANEL_BORDER_LIGHT};"
-            "  border-radius: 6px;"
-            "  padding: 8px;"
-            "}"
+            card_style(WHITE, PANEL_BORDER_LIGHT, selector="QLabel", extra="padding: 8px;")
         )
         details_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Help:", self))
         details_layout.addWidget(self._detail_help, 1)
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/panels/local_contact_panel.py b/src/aare/gui/panels/local_contact_panel.py
index 8153b9c8..1d6b523e 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/panels/local_contact_panel.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/panels/local_contact_panel.py
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ from aare.gui.styles import (
     CHIP_BAD_TEXT,
     HEADING_TEXT,
     SURFACE,
+    card_style,
 )
 from aare.gui.threads.daq_worker import DAQWorker
 from aare.gui.widgets.local_contact_status_widget import LocalContactStatusWidget
@@ -121,8 +122,7 @@ class LocalContactPanel(QFrame):
         self._transfer_error_frame = QFrame(self)
         self._transfer_error_frame.setVisible(False)
         self._transfer_error_frame.setStyleSheet(
-            f"QFrame {{  background: {CHIP_BAD_BG};  color: {CHIP_BAD_TEXT};"
-            f"  border: 1px solid {BAD_CARD_BORDER};}}"
+            card_style(CHIP_BAD_BG, BAD_CARD_BORDER, CHIP_BAD_TEXT)
         )
         transfer_error_layout = QVBoxLayout(self._transfer_error_frame)
         transfer_error_layout.setContentsMargins(10, 10, 10, 10)
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/panels/log_panel.py b/src/aare/gui/panels/log_panel.py
index 659c8ae8..cd90338c 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/panels/log_panel.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/panels/log_panel.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ from PySide6.QtWidgets import (
 
 from aare.gui.log import QtLogEmitter, QtLogHandler
 from aare.gui.styles import (
+    FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
     LOG_BORDER,
     LOG_ERROR_BG,
     LOG_ERROR_BORDER,
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@ from aare.gui.styles import (
     LOG_SUCCESS_BORDER,
     LOG_WARN_BG,
     LOG_WARN_BORDER,
+    card_style,
 )
 
 
@@ -72,6 +74,7 @@ class RuntimeNotificationWidget(QFrame):
         button_layout.addWidget(self._clear_button)
 
         self._body = QWidget(self)
+        self._body.setObjectName("runtimeNotificationBody")
         body_layout = QVBoxLayout(self._body)
         body_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
         body_layout.setSpacing(8)
@@ -90,32 +93,41 @@ class RuntimeNotificationWidget(QFrame):
         self._sticky = True
 
         self.setStyleSheet(
-            f"""
-            QFrame#runtimeNotification {{
-                border: 1px solid {LOG_BORDER};
-                border-radius: 8px;
-                background-color: {LOG_PANEL_BG};
-            }}
-            QFrame#runtimeNotification[noticeLevel="error"] {{
-                background-color: {LOG_ERROR_BG};
-                border: 1px solid {LOG_ERROR_BORDER};
-            }}
-            QFrame#runtimeNotification[noticeLevel="warning"] {{
-                background-color: {LOG_WARN_BG};
-                border: 1px solid {LOG_WARN_BORDER};
-            }}
-            QFrame#runtimeNotification[noticeLevel="success"] {{
-                background-color: {LOG_SUCCESS_BG};
-                border: 1px solid {LOG_SUCCESS_BORDER};
-            }}
-            QFrame#runtimeNotification[noticeLevel="info"] {{
-                background-color: {LOG_INFO_BG};
-                border: 1px solid {LOG_INFO_BORDER};
-            }}
-            QLabel#runtimeNotificationTitle {{
-                font-weight: bold;
-            }}
-            """
+            card_style(
+                LOG_PANEL_BG,
+                LOG_BORDER,
+                selector="QFrame#runtimeNotification",
+                radius=FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
+            )
+            + card_style(
+                LOG_ERROR_BG,
+                LOG_ERROR_BORDER,
+                selector='QFrame#runtimeNotification[noticeLevel="error"]',
+                radius=FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
+            )
+            + card_style(
+                LOG_WARN_BG,
+                LOG_WARN_BORDER,
+                selector='QFrame#runtimeNotification[noticeLevel="warning"]',
+                radius=FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
+            )
+            + card_style(
+                LOG_SUCCESS_BG,
+                LOG_SUCCESS_BORDER,
+                selector='QFrame#runtimeNotification[noticeLevel="success"]',
+                radius=FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
+            )
+            + card_style(
+                LOG_INFO_BG,
+                LOG_INFO_BORDER,
+                selector='QFrame#runtimeNotification[noticeLevel="info"]',
+                radius=FLAT_CARD_RADIUS,
+            )
+            # Transparent children: the app-wide QWidget background rule would
+            # otherwise paint opaque strips over the card tint.
+            + " QLabel#runtimeNotificationTitle { font-weight: bold; background: transparent; }"
+            + " QLabel#runtimeNotificationMessage { background: transparent; }"
+            + " QWidget#runtimeNotificationBody { background: transparent; }"
         )
 
     def _set_level(self, level: str) -> None:
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/panels/portrait_mode.py b/src/aare/gui/panels/portrait_mode.py
index 288a8856..5d66f104 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/panels/portrait_mode.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/panels/portrait_mode.py
@@ -32,6 +32,11 @@ from aare.gui.styles import (
     DARK_SUCCESS_BG,
     DARK_SUCCESS_BORDER,
     DARK_SUCCESS_TEXT,
+    FONT_FINE,
+    FONT_HERO,
+    FONT_HINT,
+    FONT_LABEL,
+    FONT_VALUE,
     WHITE,
     qcolor,
 )
@@ -213,13 +218,13 @@ class QueueItemCard(QFrame):
             badge.setText("▶")
             badge.setStyleSheet(f"""
                 color: {ACCENT}; background: {ACCENT_DIM};
-                border-radius: 16px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;
+                border-radius: 16px; font-size: {FONT_HINT}; font-weight: bold;
             """)
         else:
             badge.setText(str(index))
             badge.setStyleSheet(f"""
                 color: {SUBTEXT}; background: {BUTTON_BG};
-                border-radius: 16px; font-size: 12px;
+                border-radius: 16px; font-size: {FONT_HINT};
             """)
         layout.addWidget(badge)
 
@@ -229,11 +234,11 @@ class QueueItemCard(QFrame):
 
         title_lbl = QLabel(title)
         title_lbl.setStyleSheet(
-            f"color: {TEXT}; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; background: transparent;"
+            f"color: {TEXT}; font-size: {FONT_LABEL}; font-weight: 700; background: transparent;"
         )
         title_lbl.setWordWrap(False)
         sub_lbl = QLabel(subtitle)
-        sub_lbl.setStyleSheet(f"color: {SUBTEXT}; font-size: 11px; background: transparent;")
+        sub_lbl.setStyleSheet(f"color: {SUBTEXT}; font-size: {FONT_FINE}; background: transparent;")
         text_col.addWidget(title_lbl)
         text_col.addWidget(sub_lbl)
         layout.addLayout(text_col, stretch=1)
@@ -292,7 +297,7 @@ class PortraitModePanel(QWidget):
         title = QLabel("S A M   C A M E R A")
         title.setAlignment(Qt.AlignCenter)
         title.setStyleSheet(
-            f"color: {ACCENT}; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 3px; font-weight: 600;"
+            f"color: {ACCENT}; font-size: {FONT_LABEL}; letter-spacing: 3px; font-weight: 700;"
         )
         layout.addWidget(title)
 
@@ -311,7 +316,7 @@ class PortraitModePanel(QWidget):
         self._alert_toast_label = QLabel("")
         self._alert_toast_label.setWordWrap(True)
         self._alert_toast_label.setStyleSheet(
-            f"color: {DARK_ERROR_TEXT}; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600; background: transparent;"
+            f"color: {DARK_ERROR_TEXT}; font-size: {FONT_FINE}; font-weight: 600; background: transparent;"
         )
         toast_layout.addWidget(self._alert_toast_label)
         # Dismiss button
@@ -322,7 +327,7 @@ class PortraitModePanel(QWidget):
                 color: {SUBTEXT};
                 background: transparent;
                 border: none;
-                font-size: 11px;
+                font-size: {FONT_FINE};
             }}
             QPushButton:hover {{ color: {TEXT}; }}
         """)
@@ -347,9 +352,9 @@ class PortraitModePanel(QWidget):
 
         # Sample name labels
         self._name_lbl = QLabel("—")
-        self._name_lbl.setStyleSheet(f"color: {TEXT}; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700;")
+        self._name_lbl.setStyleSheet(f"color: {TEXT}; font-size: {FONT_VALUE}; font-weight: 700;")
         self._sub_lbl = QLabel("No sample queued")
-        self._sub_lbl.setStyleSheet(f"color: {SUBTEXT}; font-size: 12px;")
+        self._sub_lbl.setStyleSheet(f"color: {SUBTEXT}; font-size: {FONT_HINT};")
         layout.addWidget(self._name_lbl)
         layout.addWidget(self._sub_lbl)
 
@@ -381,7 +386,7 @@ class PortraitModePanel(QWidget):
                 border-radius: 26px;
                 background: {BUTTON_BG};
                 color: {ACCENT};
-                font-size: 28px;
+                font-size: {FONT_HERO};
                 font-weight: bold;
             }}
             QPushButton:checked {{
@@ -408,11 +413,11 @@ class PortraitModePanel(QWidget):
         up_next_row = QHBoxLayout()
         up_next_lbl = QLabel("UP NEXT")
         up_next_lbl.setStyleSheet(
-            f"color: {ACCENT}; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 2px; font-weight: 700;"
+            f"color: {ACCENT}; font-size: {FONT_FINE}; letter-spacing: 2px; font-weight: 700;"
         )
         self._samples_count_lbl = QLabel("0 SAMPLES")
         self._samples_count_lbl.setStyleSheet(
-            f"color: {SUBTEXT}; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 1px;"
+            f"color: {SUBTEXT}; font-size: {FONT_FINE}; letter-spacing: 1px;"
         )
         up_next_row.addWidget(up_next_lbl)
         up_next_row.addStretch()
@@ -460,7 +465,7 @@ class PortraitModePanel(QWidget):
         title = QLabel("SAMPLE QUEUE")
         title.setAlignment(Qt.AlignCenter)
         title.setStyleSheet(
-            f"color: {ACCENT}; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 3px; font-weight: 700;"
+            f"color: {ACCENT}; font-size: {FONT_LABEL}; letter-spacing: 3px; font-weight: 700;"
         )
         layout.addWidget(title)
 
@@ -598,7 +603,9 @@ class PortraitModePanel(QWidget):
 
         if not samples:
             placeholder = QLabel("No samples in queue")
-            placeholder.setStyleSheet(f"color: {SUBTEXT}; font-size: 13px;")
+            placeholder.setStyleSheet(
+                f"color: {SUBTEXT}; font-size: {FONT_LABEL}; font-weight: 700;"
+            )
             placeholder.setAlignment(Qt.AlignCenter)
             self._queue_inner_layout.addWidget(placeholder)
             return
@@ -634,7 +641,7 @@ class PortraitModePanel(QWidget):
                 border: 1.5px solid {ACCENT};
                 border-radius: 14px;
                 color: {ACCENT};
-                font-size: 12px;
+                font-size: {FONT_HINT};
                 font-weight: 700;
                 letter-spacing: 1.5px;
             }}
@@ -677,7 +684,7 @@ class PortraitModePanel(QWidget):
                }}
            """)
         self._alert_toast_label.setStyleSheet(
-            f"color: {text_color}; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600; background: transparent;"
+            f"color: {text_color}; font-size: {FONT_FINE}; font-weight: 600; background: transparent;"
         )
         self._alert_toast.setVisible(True)
 
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/panels/prediction_metrics_panel.py b/src/aare/gui/panels/prediction_metrics_panel.py
index 44f2cab2..7302ea30 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/panels/prediction_metrics_panel.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/panels/prediction_metrics_panel.py
@@ -49,6 +49,8 @@ from aare.gui.styles import (
     CHART_ORANGE,
     CHART_RED,
     CONFIDENCE_BIN_COLORS,
+    FONT_BODY,
+    FONT_TITLE,
     qcolor,
 )
 from aare.gui.styles import CHART_CLASS_COLORS as CLASS_COLORS
@@ -208,7 +210,7 @@ class ObjectCountWidget(QWidget):
 
             # Create colored indicator square
             indicator = QLabel("■")
-            indicator.setStyleSheet(f"color: {color}; font-size: 16px;")
+            indicator.setStyleSheet(f"color: {color}; font-size: {FONT_TITLE};")
             indicator.setFixedWidth(20)
 
             # Class name label
@@ -217,7 +219,7 @@ class ObjectCountWidget(QWidget):
 
             # Count label with matching color
             count_label = QLabel("0")
-            count_label.setStyleSheet(f"color: {color}; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;")
+            count_label.setStyleSheet(f"color: {color}; font-size: {FONT_BODY}; font-weight: bold;")
             count_label.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignRight)
 
             row = i // 2
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/tutorials/tutorial_manager.py b/src/aare/gui/tutorials/tutorial_manager.py
index 24187eec..8180a238 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/tutorials/tutorial_manager.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/tutorials/tutorial_manager.py
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ from PySide6.QtWidgets import QLabel, QPushButton, QWidget
 from aare.gui.constants import LOGGER_NAME
 from aare.gui.styles import (
     DEFAULT_TEXT,
+    FONT_BODY_LG,
+    FONT_TITLE,
     NOTE_TEXT,
     SHADOW,
     TUTORIAL_BORDER,
@@ -110,17 +112,17 @@ class TutorialOverlay(QWidget):
             padding: 16px;
             border: 2px solid {TUTORIAL_BORDER};
             border-radius: 10px;
-            font-size: 16px;
+            font-size: {FONT_TITLE};
         """)
         self.callout.setWordWrap(True)
         self.callout.hide()
 
-        button_style = """
-            QPushButton {
-                font-size: 15px;
-                font-weight: 600;
+        button_style = f"""
+            QPushButton {{
+                font-size: {FONT_BODY_LG};
+                font-weight: 700;
                 padding: 10px 16px;
-            }
+            }}
         """
 
         self.back_button = QPushButton("Back", self)
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/widgets/automation_progress.py b/src/aare/gui/widgets/automation_progress.py
index a1f000c2..af5ccfda 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/widgets/automation_progress.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/widgets/automation_progress.py
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ from PySide6.QtWidgets import QFrame, QHBoxLayout, QLabel, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
 from aare.gui.styles import (
     FAINT_TEXT,
+    FONT_HINT,
+    FONT_VALUE,
     STEP_FAILED_TEXT,
     STEP_PAUSED_TEXT,
     STEP_RUNNING_TEXT,
@@ -111,8 +113,8 @@ class CompactAutomationProgressStrip(QFrame):
         title = self._step_title(step)
         return (
             f"<div style='text-align:center; background:transparent;'>"
-            f"<div style='font-size:18px; color:{color}; font-weight:700; background:transparent;'>{icon}</div>"
-            f"<div style='font-size:12px; color:{color}; font-weight:700; background:transparent;'>{title}</div>"
+            f"<div style='font-size:{FONT_VALUE}; color:{color}; font-weight:700; background:transparent;'>{icon}</div>"
+            f"<div style='font-size:{FONT_HINT}; color:{color}; font-weight:700; background:transparent;'>{title}</div>"
             f"</div>"
         )
 
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/widgets/baton_request_dialog.py b/src/aare/gui/widgets/baton_request_dialog.py
index 0d86aa90..7935145b 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/widgets/baton_request_dialog.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/widgets/baton_request_dialog.py
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ from aare.gui.styles import (
     BATON_OK_PRESSED,
     BATON_WARN,
     DIM_TEXT,
+    FONT_BODY,
+    FONT_LABEL,
     HINT_TEXT,
     LIGHT_BORDER,
     PROGRESS_TRACK_BG,
@@ -129,7 +131,7 @@ class BatonRequestDialog(QDialog):
                 border: none;
                 border-radius: 5px;
                 font-weight: bold;
-                font-size: 13px;
+                font-size: {FONT_LABEL};
             }}
             QPushButton:hover {{
                 background-color: {BATON_OK_HOVER};
@@ -150,7 +152,7 @@ class BatonRequestDialog(QDialog):
                 border: none;
                 border-radius: 5px;
                 font-weight: bold;
-                font-size: 13px;
+                font-size: {FONT_LABEL};
             }}
             QPushButton:hover {{
                 background-color: {BATON_DANGER_HOVER};
@@ -316,7 +318,7 @@ class BatonPendingDialog(QDialog):
                 border: none;
                 border-radius: 5px;
                 font-weight: bold;
-                font-size: 13px;
+                font-size: {FONT_LABEL};
             }}
             QPushButton:hover {{ background-color: {BATON_DANGER_HOVER}; }}
             QPushButton:pressed {{ background-color: {BATON_DANGER_PRESSED}; }}
@@ -348,7 +350,9 @@ class BatonPendingDialog(QDialog):
     def set_queued_state(self):
         self._timer.stop()
         self.header.setText("⏳ Transfer Queued")
-        self.header.setStyleSheet(f"color: {BATON_WARN}; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px;")
+        self.header.setStyleSheet(
+            f"color: {BATON_WARN}; font-weight: bold; font-size: {FONT_BODY};"
+        )
         self.message_label.setText(
             "The beamline is currently <b>busy</b>. Your request was accepted and "
             "the baton will be transferred as soon as the current operation completes."
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/widgets/raster_grid_table.py b/src/aare/gui/widgets/raster_grid_table.py
index df73cfe3..ee497610 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/widgets/raster_grid_table.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/widgets/raster_grid_table.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from PySide6.QtWidgets import (
 )
 
 from aare.gui.scan_logic.raster_grid_manager import RasterGridManager
-from aare.gui.styles import TABLE_SHADE_BG
+from aare.gui.styles import FONT_BODY, TABLE_SHADE_BG
 
 
 class RasterGridTable(QTableWidget):
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class RasterGridTable(QTableWidget):
             QPushButton {{
                 border: none;
                 background: transparent;
-                font-size: 14px;
+                font-size: {FONT_BODY};
             }}
             QPushButton:hover {{
                 background-color: {TABLE_SHADE_BG};
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/widgets/title_label.py b/src/aare/gui/widgets/title_label.py
index 3e1090dd..500d014a 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/widgets/title_label.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/widgets/title_label.py
@@ -1,7 +1,17 @@
 from PySide6.QtCore import QSettings, Qt, QTimer
-from PySide6.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QLabel, QLayout, QPushButton
+from PySide6.QtGui import QPainter
+from PySide6.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QLabel, QLayout, QPushButton, QStyle, QStyleOption
 
-from aare.gui.styles import BANNER, BANNER_TEXT
+from aare.gui.styles import (
+    BANNER,
+    BANNER_TEXT,
+    BANNER_TEXT_SHADOW,
+    FONT_BODY,
+    FONT_HINT,
+    FONT_TITLE,
+    MUTED_TEXT,
+    qcolor,
+)
 
 # Universal vertical rhythm between stacked panels: each panel contributes
 # PANEL_VMARGIN top and bottom, the column adds PANEL_VSPACING between them,
@@ -26,6 +36,17 @@ def tighten_column(layout: QLayout) -> None:
             child_layout.setContentsMargins(m.left(), PANEL_VMARGIN, m.right(), PANEL_VMARGIN)
 
 
+def section_title(text: str, parent=None) -> QLabel:
+    """Small in-panel section heading — for controls grouped under one
+    shared TitleLabel banner (e.g. the Beam Config. panel)."""
+    label = QLabel(text, parent)
+    label.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignCenter)
+    label.setStyleSheet(
+        f"color: {MUTED_TEXT}; font-size: {FONT_HINT}; font-weight: 700; background: transparent;"
+    )
+    return label
+
+
 class TitleLabel(QLabel):
     def __init__(self, text: str, parent=None, collapsible: bool = False):
         super().__init__(parent)
@@ -37,7 +58,7 @@ class TitleLabel(QLabel):
         # the app QSS.
         self.setStyleSheet(
             f"TitleLabel {{ background-color: {BANNER}; color: {BANNER_TEXT};"
-            " font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; }"
+            f" font-size: {FONT_TITLE}; font-weight: 700; }}"
         )
         self.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignCenter)
 
@@ -58,7 +79,7 @@ class TitleLabel(QLabel):
         # a translucent white background, which is unwanted on these banners.
         self.toggle_button.setStyleSheet(
             f"QPushButton {{ background: transparent; border: none;"
-            f" color: {BANNER_TEXT}; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700; }}"
+            f" color: {BANNER_TEXT}; font-size: {FONT_BODY}; font-weight: 700; }}"
         )
         self.toggle_button.setToolTip("Minimise panel")
         self.toggle_button.setFixedSize(21, 21)
@@ -82,6 +103,30 @@ class TitleLabel(QLabel):
             # the TitleLabel, so siblings don't exist yet.
             QTimer.singleShot(0, self._apply_collapsed)
 
+    def paintEvent(self, event):
+        # QSS has no text-shadow, so paint by hand: the QSS background box
+        # first, then the title twice — an offset dark pass under the normal
+        # one — for the subtle emboss the OS titlebar text has.
+        painter = QPainter(self)
+        opt = QStyleOption()
+        opt.initFrom(self)
+        self.style().drawPrimitive(QStyle.PrimitiveElement.PE_Widget, opt, painter, self)
+
+        flags = int(self.alignment())
+        # Reserve the toggle-button zone (21px + 8px margin) on BOTH sides in
+        # the text rect only — widget margins would move the button itself.
+        reserve = 29 if self._collapsible else 0
+        rect = self.rect().adjusted(reserve, 0, -reserve, 0)
+        painter.setFont(self.font())
+        # Elide instead of overflowing when the panel column is narrow.
+        text = painter.fontMetrics().elidedText(
+            self.text(), Qt.TextElideMode.ElideRight, rect.width()
+        )
+        painter.setPen(qcolor(BANNER_TEXT_SHADOW, 110))
+        painter.drawText(rect.translated(0, 1), flags, text)
+        painter.setPen(qcolor(BANNER_TEXT))
+        painter.drawText(rect, flags, text)
+
     def mousePressEvent(self, event):
         if self._collapsible:
             self.toggle_collapsed()