How To Make A Custom Font Using Fontself

Introduction

Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of custom font design? In this article, you’ll learn how to create your own custom typefaces using Fontself, a revolutionary plug-in for Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Whether you want to generate a unique hand-drawn font, modify an existing typeface, or convert a vector image into a font, Fontself makes the process straightforward and enjoyable. Let’s explore the steps involved in creating custom fonts and some advanced tips to perfect your design.

Why Create a Custom Font?

Designing a custom font can be prestigious, making your work stand out. It demonstrates a higher level of expertise and allows for deep personalization in your projects. Custom fonts can save time, provide exclusivity, and even generate passive income.

Getting Started with Fontself

Step 1: The Basics of Font Design

Before jumping into font creation, it helps to understand some basic typography terms: baseline, cap line, x-height, beard line, and various parts of the letterforms such as the stem, bowl, and serif. These components help ensure your font maintains a consistent design.

Step 2: Drawing Your Font

Start by sketching your letters. You can use any medium like a pen or marker. Focus on capital letters, numbers, and some punctuation to begin with. Ensure that your letters are consistent in style.

Step 3: Digitizing Your Sketch

Photograph and Clean Up: Once you've sketched your font, use Photoshop to clean up the image by adjusting levels for better contrast.
Convert to Vector: Import your cleaned-up image into Adobe Illustrator. Use the 'Image Trace' function to convert your sketches into vector paths.
Align and Refine: Ensure that your letters sit on the correct baseline and cap line. Adjust any issues and remove unnecessary points for clean curves.

Step 4: Using Fontself

Install Fontself: Open the Fontself extension in Illustrator.
Import Glyphs: Select your refined vector letters and drag them into the Fontself panel to generate your uppercase, lowercase, numerals, and other glyphs.
Customize Settings: Adjust kerning and spacing using Fontself's smart kerning feature for a polished look.
Save and Export: Save your font within Fontself for use in Illustrator. You can also export it as an OTF file for use in other software.

Advanced Techniques

Experiment with SVG fonts to include color and texture in your typeface.
Modify existing fonts to create semi-custom versions tailored to your needs.
Use alternate characters and ligatures to make your font even more versatile.

Examples and Inspiration

To give you an idea of what's possible, Fontself highlights various font designs created by users, showcasing the flexibility and creative potential of the tool.

Conclusion

Creating a custom font with Fontself is not only practical but also fun. Whether for personal use, client projects, or even selling to generate passive income, mastering custom font design can significantly elevate your creative endeavors.

Keywords

Fontself
Custom font design
Typography
Adobe Illustrator
SVG fonts
Font creation
Hand-drawn fonts
Vector conversion
Smart kerning
Font glyphs

FAQ

What is Fontself?

Fontself is a plug-in for Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop that allows you to create custom fonts easily.

Do I need prior experience in typography to use Fontself?

No, Fontself is designed to be intuitive even for beginners, although some basic understanding of typography can be helpful.

Can Fontself handle color fonts?

Yes, Fontself supports SVG fonts, allowing you to create colorful and textured typefaces.

How do I install Fontself?

You can purchase and download Fontself from their official website. Once installed, it integrates with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Can I modify existing fonts with Fontself?

Yes, you can convert existing typefaces into outlines in Illustrator, make modifications, and then import them into Fontself to create semi-custom fonts.

What software do I need to use Fontself?

Fontself works with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, available for both Mac and PC.

Can I sell fonts created with Fontself?

Yes, once you create a font, you can sell it for passive income, provided you have rights to all components used in the font.

Is there a trial version of Fontself available?

As of the latest information, Fontself does not offer a trial version, but they do provide a 30-day refund policy if you are unsatisfied with the plug-in.

Now that you know the steps, tools, and possibilities, start creating your custom font and let your creativity soar!