History of fonts and font formats
There are different font formats, which one should I choose?
OpenType Fonts (.OTF): OpenType is a scalable format for computer fonts that was initially developed by Microsoft (TM) and later joined by Adobe (TM) Systems. OpenType fonts were first announced in 1996 and Adobe (TM) completed the conversion of its entire font library to OpenType at the end of 2002. In 2005, there were about 10,000 fonts available in the OpenType font format, and the library of Adobe fonts accounted for less than a third. of the total. As of 2006, all major font foundries and many minor ones were developing fonts in the OpenType font format. TrueType Fonts (TT or .TTF): TrueType is a digital font technology that was designed by Apple (TM) Computer and is now used by both Apple (Mac (TM)) and Microsoft (PC) in their operating systems. Microsoft has distributed millions of quality TrueType fonts in thousands of different styles. TrueType fonts offer the highest possible quality on computer and printer displays and include a wide range of features that make them very easy to use. PostScript Fonts (Type 1) – PostScript fonts pre-date TrueType by about six years.
First, there were many different font formats for digital fonts, none of which were standardized. Later, Apple adopted Adobe’s PostScript Page Description Language (PDL) for its Apple LaserWriter printer in 1985. This, combined with the introduction of desktop publishing software, sparked a revolution in page layout technology.
ClearType Fonts – Microsoft ClearType fonts are an unprecedented innovation in font display technology that dramatically improves font display resolution and marks a genuine advance in screen readability. These Microsoft fonts were designed by Microsoft and leading type designers and font technologists to enhance the reading experience in Windows Vista (TM) and Microsoft Office 2007 (TM). With ClearType font technology, fonts on your computer screen look almost as sharp and clear as those printed on a sheet of paper. The choice of font format is primarily based on the type of documents you create and your computer environment. Here are some general guidelines:
OpenType TT OpenType TT fonts contain TrueType® outlines and have a .TTF file extension. This is the default font format for Macintosh and Windows systems. OpenType fonts with TrueType outlines are popular with home users and small and large businesses or other businesses.
OpenType PS OpenType PS fonts contain PostScript® outlines and have a .OTF file extension. OpenType PS fonts are replacing Type 1 fonts as users upgrade their systems.
Type 1 PostScript Type 1 is the original font format that was part of the desktop publishing revolution that began in 1985. Type 1 fonts for PostScript and PostScript-compatible printers consist of more than one file and have a limited character set. These limitations are overcome with OpenType fonts.
Font characteristics Font weight There are three basic categories of font weights: light, regular, and bold. The normal font thickness for most typefaces is slightly lighter than medium. Many computer fonts for Microsoft Office, Web, and common use come in normal, regular, and bold weight.
Relative order of font weight:
- thin
- microlight
- Extra light
- light
- semi light
- book
- regular, (roman), plain, normal
- half
- demi bold or semi bold
- bold
- extra daring
- heavy
- black
- extra black
- ultra
Font width
- compressed, condensed, narrow
- wide, spread
Font families
There are a multitude of typefaces that have been created over the centuries and are commonly classified into font families based on their appearance.
At the highest level, you can differentiate between black, serif, sans serif, and decorative fonts.
one. Black letter fonts
Blackletter fonts were the first fonts used with the invention of the printing press. They resemble the artistic writings of the cloisters of the Middle Ages and are divided into three groups:
- Gothic Fonts and Old English Text – Of all the black type fonts, Gothic fonts are most like the Texture calligraphy used with manual copying of books. Therefore, Johannes Gutenberg also carved a Gothic typeface when he printed his 42-line Bible, which included a large number of common ligatures and abbreviations. While in Germany, Gothic fonts moved rapidly, they remained in use with great variety and are often referred to as Old English text fonts as well.
- Schwabacher typefaces predominated in Germany from about 1480 to 1530. Most importantly, all the works of Martin Luther, which led to the Protestant Reformation, as well as Albrect Durer’s Apocalypse (1498) were printed in this typeface. . It was probably first used by Johannes Bamler, an Augsburg printer, in 1472. The origins of the font name are unclear; some assume that the font was designed by a typesetter from the village of Schwabach who was working externally and was therefore known as the Schwabacher.
- Most commonly known among black type fonts as those in the Fraktur font family, which he declared when Emperor Maximilian I (1493-1519) established a series of books and had a new typeface created specifically for this purpose. Fraktur faces were used extensively in Germany until the end of WWII.
two. Serif Fonts
Serif fonts are divided into four font groups:
- Renaissance – This type of font has a slight difference in thickness within each font. This font category includes the Garamond (TM) and Palatino (TM) font families.
- Baroque: this type of font has a thickness within each font with greater variety. This font category includes the Baskerville (TM) and Times New Roman (TM) font families.
- Classicist: the greatest variation in thickness with each font. This font category includes the Bodoni (TM) and Century Schoolbook (TM) font families.
- Modern Fonts – These fonts are designed primarily for decorative purposes. This font category includes the Rockwell (TM) and Amasis (TM) font families.
3. Sans Serif Fonts
Sans Serif fonts appeared to be the “Egyptian” font released in 1816 by William Caslons foundry in England. Sans Serif fonts are commonly used for display applications such as signage, headers, and other applications where the font is needed to stand out and continuous reading is not a requirement.
Sans Serif fonts are divided into four font groups:
- Grotesque – This font category includes Grotesque (TM) or Royal Gothic fonts.
- Neo-grotesque – This font category includes Standard, Arial (TM), and Univers (TM) fonts.
- Humanist – This font category includes Gill Sans (TM) or Frutiger (TM) fonts.
- Geometric – This font category includes Futura (TM) or Spartan (TM) fonts.
Other common Sans Serif fonts include: Lucida (TM), Tahoma (TM) and Verdana (TM) fonts.
Downloading Fonts FontMarketplace.com makes it easy for you to download the font. For every item you purchase, there will be a download link on the order confirmation page. Additionally, the receipt that is automatically emailed to you will also have the links.
