Make Custom Fonts in Adobe Illustrator with Fontself!

Education

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore how to create a font from your own handwriting using Adobe Illustrator and the Fontself extension. With this extension, you can easily transform your handwriting into a font, allowing you to use it in various design projects. Whether you have a simple or complex handwriting style, this tutorial will guide you through the process of converting it into a font.

This tutorial is sponsored by Fontself, an extension that enables you to create fonts. Fontself offers a wide range of possibilities, from creating custom fonts for clients to delivering icon packages as fonts. It is a highly recommended tool that allows you to unleash your creativity. Check out the link in the bio to learn more about Fontself.

Let's begin by sitting down and drawing out the letters of the alphabet. You can use brush pens, foam markers, or even a pencil to sketch out your desired font. The thicker the marker or pen you use, the easier it will be to convert your handwriting into a vector shape later on.

Once you have drawn out your letters, take pictures of them using your phone or camera. Transfer these images to your computer via your preferred means, such as Airdrop, Dropbox, email, or Bluetooth. Import the images into Photoshop for further processing.

In Photoshop, you will rotate and straighten the images using the Camera Raw tool. Crop the images to clean them up and ensure that the letters are the main focus. Adjust the images as necessary using adjustments like black and white, levels, and curves. Aim for pure white and solid black in your letters. Once you are satisfied, flatten the image and save it as a JPEG.

Next, open Adobe Illustrator and drag both the JPEGs into the program. We will work with one image at a time. Select the letters in the image, go to the Properties panel, and choose Image Trace. Use the black/white logo preset to convert the handwritten letters into vector shapes. Expand the image to convert it into shapes, and then ungroup the shapes to edit them individually.

Remove any white areas by using the Magic Wand tool to select and delete them. This leaves you with the handwritten letters as vector shapes. Repeat this process for the second image containing numbers or other symbols.

To align the letters on a baseline, set up guides in Illustrator and move the letters between them. Adjust the size and position of the letters as necessary. Once everything is in place and aligned, you can start using the Fontself extension.

Go to Window > Extensions > Fontself Maker to open the Fontself panel. Select the letters you want to include in your font and drag them onto the panel. Make sure you have the correct number of letters selected (26 for uppercase letters and 26 for lowercase), as indicated in the panel. Delete any extra fragments or shapes that might interfere with the font creation process.

Now, you can adjust the baseline, characters spacing, and other details within the Fontself panel. Take your time to fine-tune the letters and make any necessary adjustments. Once you are satisfied with the result, click on "Install" to install the font for use within Illustrator. You can immediately see how the font looks by typing with it on the document.

If you want to use the font outside of Illustrator, you can choose the "Save" option within the Fontself panel. This will save the font as an OpenType font (OTF) file that you can install on your computer or share with others. Fontself offers additional features and options that we didn't cover in this tutorial, so be sure to explore them further.

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FAQ

  • Can I use Fontself to create fonts from existing fonts? No, Fontself is primarily used to create custom fonts from scratch or from your handwritten letters. You cannot convert existing fonts into editable fonts using Fontself.

  • Can I adjust the spacing and positioning of individual letters within Fontself? Yes, Fontself provides options to adjust the baseline, character spacing, and other details for each letter individually. This allows you to fine-tune the font according to your preferences.

  • Can I use the fonts created with Fontself for commercial projects? Yes, once you save the font as an OpenType file, you can use it for personal and commercial projects. However, it is always best to check the licensing terms and restrictions of the font you create.

  • Can I use Fontself to create bitmap fonts? Yes, Fontself also offers a Photoshop extension that allows you to create bitmap fonts. This feature can be useful for specific design projects where you want to achieve a pixelated or retro look.

  • Can I share the fonts created with Fontself with others? Yes, you can easily share the OpenType font file created with Fontself with others. They can then install the font on their own systems and use it in their design projects.