This is something we struggle with at my advertising agencies. The designers often download and try to use free fonts with their projects. More often than not, if they slip through the production process, we get a call from the print vendor saying the fonts can't be used. Now we have strict rules in place that only a few people in the company have authority to OK new fonts and free fonts are forbidden (at least to the people who don't know anything about fonts). We own more than 1000 fonts so we feel our decision to ban free fonts shouldn't stifle creativity. So far so good.
You can also use the price filter on MyFonts to find things with a price of $0 (or any other value, for that matter). For example: http://new.myfonts.com/search/lowest_price%3A%5B%2A+TO+0%5D/fonts/
I went to the MyFonts link in this article where the free fonts were to be found. Many of the fonts that were listed as costing $0 actually showed a license option with a cost when clicked. Also several that were listed as $0 when clicked and added to the cart showed a cost when in the cart. Imagine my surprise when I went to check out that, even though all fonts added were supposedly free, the total came to over $1,000! The actual number of free fonts was small.
When presented with this issue, MyFonts responded with the following:
Some foundries offer certain formats of their fonts for $00.00, but charge for alternate formats. What may be happening is the system is defaulting to the format selected in your 'Formats & Compatibility' options.
Generally, the OpenType format will be for $$$. You should be able to change the format options in the 'Formats & Compatibility' field. Once changed, the 'free' font should be set in your Shopping Cart.
As we're currently working on switching over to the new MyFonts website, you may find it easier to specify formats on the original site. You should be able to select the 'Return to the old site' link in the upper right corner of your browser window, then process your purchase on the old site. Searching for 'free' is similar, but you will be given the format selection option 'before' placing the item in to your Shopping Cart.
Free Fonts
This is something we struggle with at my advertising agencies. The designers often download and try to use free fonts with their projects. More often than not, if they slip through the production process, we get a call from the print vendor saying the fonts can't be used. Now we have strict rules in place that only a few people in the company have authority to OK new fonts and free fonts are forbidden (at least to the people who don't know anything about fonts). We own more than 1000 fonts so we feel our decision to ban free fonts shouldn't stifle creativity. So far so good.
Great!
Ilene, thanks so much for all the great and informative information!! It's the type everyone needs LOL!!! (Ooh couldn't help it :)
Price filter on MyFonts
You can also use the price filter on MyFonts to find things with a price of $0 (or any other value, for that matter). For example: http://new.myfonts.com/search/lowest_price%3A%5B%2A+TO+0%5D/fonts/
Be careful of MyFonts free fonts
I went to the MyFonts link in this article where the free fonts were to be found. Many of the fonts that were listed as costing $0 actually showed a license option with a cost when clicked. Also several that were listed as $0 when clicked and added to the cart showed a cost when in the cart. Imagine my surprise when I went to check out that, even though all fonts added were supposedly free, the total came to over $1,000! The actual number of free fonts was small.
MyFonts free fonts
When presented with this issue, MyFonts responded with the following:
Some foundries offer certain formats of their fonts for $00.00, but charge for alternate formats. What may be happening is the system is defaulting to the format selected in your 'Formats & Compatibility' options.
Generally, the OpenType format will be for $$$. You should be able to change the format options in the 'Formats & Compatibility' field. Once changed, the 'free' font should be set in your Shopping Cart.
As we're currently working on switching over to the new MyFonts website, you may find it easier to specify formats on the original site. You should be able to select the 'Return to the old site' link in the upper right corner of your browser window, then process your purchase on the old site. Searching for 'free' is similar, but you will be given the format selection option 'before' placing the item in to your Shopping Cart.