Type Foundries: Where to get typefaces and who makes them
There are a lot of typefaces out there—some good ones, a lot of bad ones, a few classics, and some interesting variable fonts. Check out this list to see where you can find legit typefaces by notable foundries that are sure to get a nod of approval from Lisa.
Skip to the end to see how to get free fonts. Downloader beware.
01. 205TF
Basics: French type foundry, trial fonts available. Unlike most foundries, this place collects typefaces from independent designers. This place doesn’t specialize in any specific style of type so, like shopping at TJ Maxx, you have to know what you’re looking for when you go browsing there.
Pros: Unique typefaces by a bunch of different people
Cons: $$$$PRICEY$$$$ and no student discounts
02. Adobe Fonts
Basics: Comes with Adobe CC (so…a BUNCH of free fonts available to you. Just be aware that just because they’re offered by Adobe does not mean they are all good.)
Pros: Easy/fast to find and apply fonts to your files, has a good amount of staple typefaces, free, usually come with a lot of weights and styles, easy filtering
Cons: They aren’t all great, lots of knock-offs, nothing too unique
03. AlfaType
Basics: Italian type foundry run by one very passionate guy. An original catalogue of fonts with a good amount of sans serif typefaces. Come here for clean, stylish fonts.
Pros: Student discounts!
Cons: Still costs some money, limited selection
04. And Repeat
Basics: Abstract type generator. Create custom typefaces by manipulating a range of parameters—everything from color (hue, saturation, and lightness) to shape (circular versus rectilinear, number of sides, angle of title) to resolution.
Pros: Free
Cons: Limited use cases here
05. Camelot Tyepfaces
Basics: German type foundry, email for trial fonts. They got everything from sans to slab serif. Really clean, creative designs.
Pros: Free trial fonts (not for professional use)
Cons: ???
06. Collletttivo
Basics: Open source type library
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
07. Colophon Foundry
Basics: London-based type foundry, trial fonts available upon making an account
Pros: Free trial fonts
Cons: ???
08. Commercial Type
Basics: New York and London-based type foundry, available to test fonts on Fontstand
Pros: Free test fonts
Cons: ???
09. Dalton Maag
Basics: International type studio, email to find out if trial fonts are available
Pros: Free trial fonts
Cons: ???
10. DINAMO
Basics: Swiss Type Design Studio based in Berlin and Basel, trial fonts and student discounts available
Pros: Trial fonts and student discounts!
Cons: ???
11. DJR
Basics: David Jonathan Ross, a MassArt alum! Student licenses available, also check out the Font of the Month Club
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
12. Family Type (previously OMSE)
Basics: London and Sydney-based type foundry, trial fonts available
Pros: Free trial fonts
Cons: ???
13. Fatype
Basics: European type foundry, trial fonts available, student discounts available upon request
Pros: Free trial fonts and student discounts
Cons: ???
14. Fontstand
Basics: place where you can try fonts for free for a limited time, or rent fonts for a period of time
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
15. Future Fonts
Basics: Fonts in progress. Purchase WIP fonts at a low cost before they are officially released. You receive free updates of the font when released.
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
16. Good Type Foundry
Basics: Norwegian type foundry, trial fonts available
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
17. Google Fonts
Basics: Open source type library
Pros: Like Adobe, offers a bunch of free fonts in many weights and styles
Cons: Also like Adobe, has a lot of crappy typefaces
18. Grilli Type
Basics: Swiss/International type foundry, trial fonts available
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
19. Hoefler&Co.
Basics: New York-based type foundry, can test fonts here
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
20. House Industries
Basics: Delaware-based type studio
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
21. HvD Fonts
Basics: German type foundry, free fonts available
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
22. Klim Type Foundry
Basics: New Zealand-based type foundry, demo fonts available
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
23. Letters from Sweden
Basics: Swedish type foundry, can test fonts on Fontstand
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
24. Milieu Grotesque
Basics: Portugal-based type foundry, trial fonts available, student discounts available
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
25. OH No Type
Basics: California-based type foundry, demo fonts available
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
26. Or Type
Basics: Iceland-based type foundry,
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
27. Pangram Pangram
Basics: Canadian type foundry, demo fonts available, font starter pack available at a very good price
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
28. Swiss Typeface
Basics: Berlin-based type foundry, trial fonts available, student discounts available
Pros: AWESOME student discounts. Like $50 for an entire typeface discounts.
Cons: Waiting for your student status to be approved for the discount
29. TIGHTTYPE
Basics: German-based type foundry, trial fonts and student discounts available
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
30. Type Lab
Basics: TYPELAB is also a collection of the wildest, finest typefaces recently produced by young artists across the globe, price dependent on artist
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
31. Type Network
Basics: Place where independent type studios come together to create an extensive type library
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
32. Typeji
Basics: TienMin Liao is a New York-based independent designer and typographer specializing in logotype development, typeface design and multi-script typography (Latin/Chinese/Japanese)
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
33. Typotheque
Basics: Netherlands-based type foundry, test fonts here
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
34. URW
Basics: German-based type foundry, you can use their fonts on Adobe Fonts
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
35. Village
Basics: Collection of type across multiple international studios,trial fonts available (limited to 5 families)
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
36. VJ Type
Basics: Paris-based type foundry, you can test fonts on their site, very cool type
Pros: ???
Cons: ???
Other morally sound ways to get fonts
Trial Fonts
Basics: you can usually test out fonts by downloading a trial. This does not include the full character set, but it’s great to try out
Pros: Can test out new fonts on your file before buying
Cons: Free trials usually don’t include all characters in the typeface
Sketchier ways to get fonts
The Thumbdrive
Basics: Legend has it, in the studio there exists a thumb drive filled with fonts from years of students. You might find it pushed into a wall somewhere.
Pros: Possibility of finding all the fonts you’ve ever wanted, for free
Cons: Files could be corrupted, anyone could’ve put anything on that thumb drive.
Proceed with caution.
Google Drive
Basics: Like the Thumb Drive, but less sketchy and more easily accessible. Students upload fonts they’ve purchased to share with other students. Student email required for entry.
Pros: Bunch of free awesome fonts! Possibly safer than the Thumb Drive
Cons: Can be disorganized, no consistent file naming system, typefaces
Russian Website
Basics: You can pirate fonts here, but it isn’t in English so…good luck!
Pros: Could potentially find the font you want for free!
Cons: Viruses, committing a felony