It’s got the standard features you’ll need like drawing and bézier tools, kerning and spacing adjustments, and support for various scripts like Latin, Cyrillic, Greek, and Emoji. How it works: Glyphs is easy to use and has an extensive array of options, even the “mini” version. This is the font-building software I use. But the feature that sets this one apart from the others I’ve mentioned so far is the ability to create color fonts, a newer font file type that gives the user control over color and shading variations for individual glyphs.įormat and price: Mac app $50 for Glyphs Mini, $300 for Glyphs full version (Trial available Student & Educator discounts available)įile types: OTF and WOFF (webfont) for mini, full version exports OTF, TTF, UFO, Webfonts (EOT, WOFF, WOFF2), Colorfonts, Metrics You create letters (or glyphs) in Illustrator or Photoshop and then drag the letters into the extension, where it compiles the complete font set.įontself has a lot of tools you’d need to build a comprehensive font, like the ability to create alternate characters, ligatures, and fine-tuning spacing and kerning. How it works: This one is an extension for Illustrator and Photoshop. *Note that the Windows version of this app is not as robust as the iPad version.įormat and price: desktop extension $49 for Illustrator-only, $98 for both Photoshop and Illustrator (Student & Educator discounts available)įile types: OTF, OpenType-SVG, WOFF (webfont) You can also share your font on the developer’s website. When you’ve finished building your font, you can export (ttf) so you can install it on your tablet or desktop. One solid benefit to this tool is that it has both a freehand tool and a bézier tool so you can get really defined curves and straights (a bit like building letters in Illustrator). You can also adjust kerning and letter spacing. There are several pen and stroke options so you can fine-tune your glyph drawings. How it works: Draw each letter in the app using a large character reference set that includes Latin, Greek, and Cyrillic letters. Other paid features include more letter variations, ligature options, and font storage on the Calligraphr server.įormat and price: Tablet app $8 for iPad and $5 for Windows tablets* If you want any extended options like the ability to adjust the spacing, leading, or add extra characters, then you’d pay the monthly subscription fee. How it works: You print off font-building template pages, use a pen to fill out the characters, scan into the computer (or take a photo), upload it to the Calligraphr webpage, and they automatically convert it to font files (ttf and otf). I didn't find it the easiest program to navigate around, but if you invest some time getting to know the tools and keyboard shortcuts, then then this is a great app to create your first font from beginning to end.įormat and price: web-based service free to use, $8/month for extended options It's a very advanced editor with lots of options that you would see in the more expensive programs. When you’ve built your alphabet you can share on the Fontstruct website and download (ttf) to use on your own computer.įormat and price: Free (Donations welcome)įontForge is a free piece of software which is available for Mac, Windows and Linux. There are lots of different styles of “brick” to use and this is a fun way to experiment with different letterforms. How it works: The interface is a grid layout, where you use various styles of “brick” to build letters. Fontstructįormat and price: web-based service free Regardless of what software you choose, there is a range of ways you can create your own font and I encourage you to try it out! 1. The more expensive ones have a lot more variation in tools, more comprehensive interfaces, and more ability to fine-tune your fonts. The options I present here go from free to cheap to quite expensive. Plus, you create something that can make your digital (and print) environment highly personal. Through the process of making your own fonts, you learn the basics of typography, spacing, and gain an awareness of and appreciation for letter construction. I think font-building is a great skill to have. Making and selling fonts is my main source of income but even if you don’t plan on making a living from it.
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