Fonts are crucial in displaying text for print, online platforms, or other media. A font consists of characters with specific styles and sizes. Meanwhile, the overall design of these fonts forms the typeface family.
Computer font file formats come in three primary varieties:
- TrueType fonts that maintain their fidelity even when scaled
- OpenType fonts that offer enhanced typographic features alongside vector-based characteristics
- PostScript Type 1 fonts that work best at specific sizes due to being bitmapped
Numerous specialized font formats exist for purposes like handwriting recognition or barcodes.
Every typeface family comprises one or more fonts within a distinct style. For example, Helvetica Bold is part of the more prominent Helvetica typeface family, which includes various other designs such as Helvetica Condensed and Helvetica Rounded.
Out-of-the-box computer systems usually come preloaded with default fonts. However, you can buy or freely download additional ones from the internet.
Once installed on your computer, new fonts become accessible across all programs. Installation typically involves double-clicking on the downloaded font file before clicking an “Install” button in a dedicated installer program.
You can then utilize installed fonts within any compatible software like word processors and presentation tools by selecting them from available options. The flexibility also extends to decorative use cases where fancy fonts can enhance headlines or titles while small-sized ones can serve as signatures or initials.