TypeTalk: Does Foundry Size Matter?

TypeTalk is a regular blog on typography. Post your questions and comments by clicking on the Comments icon above. If Ilene answers your question in the blog, you’ll receive one Official Creativepro.com T-Shirt!
Q. There are so many places to buy type. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both large and small font foundries?
A. The primary advantage of a large foundry/distributor is selection. They often sell thousands of fonts in every possible category from a broad range of sources, including other foundries large and small, as well as their own exclusive designs. For instance, fonts.com has more than 170,000 digital fonts from an ever-increasing range of smaller foundries and independent designers, as well as their own releases.
Some examples of large font distributors include:
* Adobe
* Fonts.com
* FontShop
* Linotype
* MyFonts
* Veer
Smaller foundries offer advantages not possible with all larger foundries and distributors. Those benefits may include personalized service and support, access to the type designer, flexible licensing terms, and discounted or free upgrades. Also, smaller type foundries can be excellent sources for fonts not available through any other source.
Some examples of small foundries:
* Hoefler & Frere-Jones
* Stone Type Foundry
* Terminal Design, Inc.
* TypeCulture

James Montalbano of Terminal Design says, “I have always encouraged our clients to think of us as their partners. You need type, we make type, we are happiest when we make the type that you need. If you don’t see exactly what you want, all you have to do is ask, and we can probably accommodate your needs. If one needs modifications to the fonts it is easier when dealing with a small firm.”

Mark Jamra of TypeCulture says, “None of TypeCulture’s retail fonts have gone through a hurried or automated process on a tight production schedule. Everything has been meticulously attended to, and the amount of time it has taken to design and produce each typeface is the time that was necessary to obtain the best possible result. Period. This model of production for retail does not make sense economically for large companies with tens of thousands of fonts.”

There are also many midsized foundries with offerings and services that fall somewhere in-between the large distributors and the small foundries. These include:
* Font Bureau
* House Industries
* P22 Type Foundry
Do you have a favorite foundry? Let me know by clicking the Comments button below.
Love type? Want to know more? Ilene Strizver conducts her acclaimed Gourmet Typography workshops internationally. For more information on attending one or bringing it to your company, organization, or school, go to her site, call The Type Studio at 203-227-5929, or email Ilene at [email protected]. Sign up for her e-newsletter at www.thetypestudio.com. You can also follow Ilene on Facebook and Twitter.

Ilene Strizver is a noted typographic educator, author, designer and founder of The Type Studio in Westport, Connecticut. Her book, Type Rules! The designer’s guide to professional typography, is now in its 4th edition.
  • Anonymous says:

    Canada Type is my favorite small player.

  • Anonymous says:

    Phil’s Fonts

  • Anonymous says:

    Okay, I *love* P22.

    I generally look for small foundries that make technologically sound typefaces, although yes, I use fonts from the big guys, too. I use font management software, and wish the small foundries were identified automatically in the data there.

    Some of my favorite browsing is in the Indie Fonts books.

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