Font Legibility

From servers to desktop, this licensing lexicon covers terminology related to font licensing. While these definitions are applicable to licensing fonts in general, all examples given are related to Monotype font licenses specifically. Always refer to the relevant EULA to understand more accurate definitions for a software license.

There’s something empowering about being a problem-solver. In the case of fonts, that often means being the one to resolve font license gaps. Everyone at your organization uses fonts, after all, and you have the chance to say, “I got this. I’ll make sure our creatives have the right tools so they can design with confidence.”

Usually, if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. But when it comes to vessels carrying precious cargo, be they vehicles, bodily or fonts, maintenance checks are imperative for avoiding a crash. We usually get a clear signal when something isn’t right. With a car, you might have a “check engine” light, while aches and pains tell us when something’s not right with our bodies, but with fonts, its not always obvious when something’s wrong. Unless you know where to look, that is… 

This article should give the reader more context on why fonts and font services are worth what they cost. It should explain the value behind the services that Monotype offers and explain how this will benefit the reader cost wise in the long run/ the ROI they will hypothetically see on their font services. This piece should also cover how designers are behind fonts and they deserve to be paid for the work they put in.

Gives the reader an in-depth view into what font management features Monotype Fonts provides. Covers features such as managing company tags, managing permissions, assigning users to teams, etc… This should be written as if speaking to the admin so it should focus more on admin level font management features rather than the more tactical features that designers would be interested in.  Conveys how these features will benefit the reader.

What is the difference between a typeface, a font, a font file, a font license, and a EULA? Does a font license cover one or multiple fonts? What informs a font license strategy? What’s the easiest way to resolve a font license gap—before or after it arises? From fundamental principles to pre-purchase considerations, this guide aims to help you confidently speak the language of fonts.

“Tip: You’ll want to bookmark this.”

This piece should cover how a MTF subscription can help alleviate problems organizations face due to font management issues. Provides examples of how a subscription may reduce the likelihood of commonly known issues that organizations face such as not having fonts all stored in one place or inconsistent branding. 

This piece should explain how the MTF library is structured and give the reader a good understanding of how the structure of the library benefits them. The article should be sectioned out into different categories such as the full range of styles, the range of languages, etc. with each section showing the reader why that portion of the font library matters. This piece should also touch on the foundries program and explain how Monotype partners with different foundries.

Eager to gain access to a large library of fonts without having to worry about licensing issues, Hong Kong based United Prime Educational Publishing turned to Monotype Fonts. See how it helped them streamline their operations.

With more companies focusing on DE&I initiatives, it’s essential to include people with disabilities in those policies. One easily overlooked aspect of this is the accessibility of your digital properties for people with various visual abilities. This article will outline how digital accessibility practices and DEI policies are interconnected, and how fonts contribute to a digital experience that is accessible to all.

Typeface Collection: fonts & feelings.

Monotype’s Japanese typeface, Tazugane Gothic® Info has been selected by Shoei Co., Ltd. as the font used in Opticson, a smart helmet for motorcycle riders mounted with a head-up display (HUD).  

As a disclaimer: There are no big secrets here, no giant revelations from my 20 years of design and type experience, but it may be helpful to see how someone else goes about the process of narrowing down their font options. Once you start giving focused thought and deliberate time to choosing fonts, your choices will get better. 

Legibility is a crucial consideration when trying to choose a font for your project. Here’s how to find a legible font that will be easy on the eyes for your readers and customers.

We recently presented our 2023 Type Trends report during a lively, interactive webinar. Our Creative Type Directors and report curators, Emilios Theofanous and Terrance Weinzierl, walked through the projects featured in the report to a global audience of over 1,300 live attendees. There were too many thoughtful questions to answer during the Q&A, so we’ve taken the time to answer them below. Enjoy!  

More than 800 languages in a single typeface: creating Noto for Google.

Paid fonts are superior to free fonts in a variety of ways (and no, we’re not just saying that because we sell fonts). Learn what separates a premium font from a free font from experts at Monotype.