So, you’ve taken the plunge, and you’re ready to put together your brand kit.

Your logo is completed, and you’ve got your hex codes. Now it’s time to choose your fonts! However, with thousands upon thousands of fonts to choose from, finding the right style for your design can feel so overwhelming. Luckily, we’re here to help! Let’s take a closer look at the process of choosing and using commercial fonts.

COMMERCIAL VS. PERSONAL

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Commercial fonts MUST be licensed when the goal of their use is financial gain (yes, this includes non-profit organizations!)

• • Any type of advertisement for your business (flyers, mailers, emails, brochures, etc.)
  • Logos
  • Merchandise
  • Any website with a goal of financial gain, even when the goal is donations

SO, HOW DO I OBTAIN THE LICENSE?

First, and perhaps most important…

Check the End User License Agreement (EULA)! Purchasing a commercial font entitles you to a specific font use, often including commercial. However, the EULA agreement is different for every font, so it’s incredibly important to read it.

The EULA will specify how and where you can use the font after you purchase it.
Typically, a designer will buy a font license for a specific project, such as a client’s logo. The license may restrict the use of the font. For example, a license may allow your designer to use a chosen font on as many projects as they like, but restrict them from sending you the font to use in related projects.

Therefore, many designers include the price of the font in the design price if it needs to be specific to match your house identity, or style guide.

Some typical licensing restrictions include:

• • the number of computers on which the font may be installed
  • whether or not the font may be uploaded to a server to use on a website
  • whether it may be included in a mobile app design package

WHAT ABOUT FREE FONTS?

STILL STRUGGLING?

If you still find yourself struggling to navigate commercial font use, give us a call today! We can help!