Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know which format I should order?
2. How quickly will I receive my fonts?
3. How do I install my font(s)?
4. May I install my fonts on more than one computer?
5. How about installation by multiple users or at more than one location?
6. May I take copies of my fonts to a printer/service bureau?
7. What about emedding? May I embed in PDFs, on the Web, elsewhere?
8. I'm having trouble downloading/installing a demo—what should I do?
9. What if I'm unhappy with my purchase—can I get my money back?
10. Who designed these things, anyway?
11. What would it cost to turn my great-aunt's handwriting into a font?
12. I'd like to include a font credit—how shall I word it?

1. How do I know which format I should order?
If you have a recent operating system and a font is listed as being available in OpenType format, that's the one we'd recommend. (Note: we're in the process of converting our type library to the OpenType format, so check back often.) If you're a casual Mac or PC user and haven't the foggiest understanding of font formats (i.e., you just want your fonts to work), TrueType is likely the format for you. If you're doing high-end design, you'll be sending your designs to a service bureau, and/or you'll be using your fonts primarily with programs made by Adobe (inventor of PostScript), you might prefer the Type 1 format. If you ever need a different format from the one we deliver, never fear: your license allows use of a font in any format. For more detailed info about formats, go here.

2. How quickly will I receive my font(s)?
We've just added real-time credit card authorizations to our secure checkout system so you won't have to wait for delivery via email—now you'll be able download your font(s) immediately upon successfull completion of your order. The final page in our checkout sequence will have a download link for each font you've ordered. You'll also receive an email message from orders@oldfonts.com that includes a link to a page that will give you access to your font(s) for the next 48 hours. Beyond this time, you may contact us directly in the event you ever lose copies of the font(s) whose license(s) you've purchased here. Please feel free to call us at (207) 596-6768 or 1-877-496-6768 (toll-free), or send email to us at orders@oldfonts.com.

3. How do I install my font(s)?
Windows OS (XP, Vista, Seven):
Your font(s) will be delivered within a .zip archive, which you'll first need to "unzip." Double-click the file and extract its contents* to a place you will remember. Then choose START → Control Panel, and access your "Fonts" folder, where you'll see all your installed fonts. From the "File" menu, choose "Install New Font"; within the navigation dialog go to the place where you extracted your font(s), and they'll appear in the list. Be sure "Copy fonts to Fonts folder" is checked. Highlight the font(s) and click "OK."
Macintosh OS X:
Your font(s) will be delivered within either a .zip file (OpenType) or a StuffIt archive, whose contents you'll first need to extract. Double-click either file and extract its contents* to a place you will remember. If your version of Mac OS X has the Font Book utility, feel free to use this application for installation; if you use Extensis Suitcase or Font Agent Pro, follow the instructions in the manual. Otherwise, you may simply open your hard disk and drag the contents of the archive(s) to your Library → Fonts folder.
*Note about file archives:
If your OS will not open the .zip or StuffIt file, you'll likely have to install free decompression software from WinZip or StuffIt Expander.
Note: Do not install more than one format of the same font on your computer.

4. May I install my font(s) on more than one computer?
Yes, once you pay the basic license fee, our standard End User License Agreement (EULA) lets you install your font(s) on up to five (5) CPUs—computers, printers, etc.—at one location. You may also make a backup copy. Please see our EULA for full license limitations.

5. How about installation by multiple users or at more than one location?
To license our fonts for use on more than five CPUs at one location, you may take advantage of our sliding-scale site-license fee schedule. In addition, to install your font(s) at fixed computers in more than one location, you must buy a separate license for each location. (For regional or worldwide licenses, please contact us directly via email, to info@oldfonts.com, or phone, at 207 596 6768 (877 496 6768, toll-free)). Please see our EULA for full license limitations.

6. May I send copies of my font(s) to a printer/service bureau?
Our End User License Agreement (EULA) permits you to send copies of your font(s) to a printer/service bureau—but only for use on individual jobs of yours. After the printer/service bureau's staffers output your work, they must then delete the font(s) from their system(s). (Of course they may always buy a license of their own and use the font themselves for any job.) Please see our EULA for full license limitations.

7. What about emedding? May I embed in PDFs, on the Web, elsewhere?
Our End User License Agreement (EULA) does not permit embedding of our copyrighted font data such that it's possible for unlicensed parties to capture that data and recreate our typefaces. This doesn't not typically concern routine PDF distribution. (Subsetting is OK.) In any event, we'll be glad to review embedding requests on a case-by-case basis—simply send your inquiry to info@oldfonts.com or give us a call at 207 596 6768 (877 496 6768, toll-free). Please see our EULA for full license limitations.

8. I'm having trouble downloading/installing a demo—what should I do?
If you're having trouble installing a demo you've successfully downloaded, please consult our installation FAQ or our comprehensive installation guide. If you can't download the demo in the first place, please send email to info@oldfonts.com or give us a call at 207 596 6768 (877 496 6768, toll-free).

9. What if I'm unhappy with my purchase—can I get my money back?
Yes, of course! We want only happy customers. If our fonts don't meet your expectations—or you're unsatisfied with your purchase for any reason—simply get in touch with us, and we'll credit your account in the amount of the purchase price. (We'll also ask that you delete any of our font data from your computer and/or other equipment.) Just give us a call us at (207) 596-6768 or 1-877-496-6768 (toll-free), or send email to us at orders@oldfonts.com.

10. Who designed these things, anyway?
Some guy named Brian Willson.

11. What would it cost to turn my great-grandmother's handwriting into a font?
It ain't as easy—at least not the way we do it. Each character in a font takes at least an hour or two to design and refine; all characters must be tweaked and adjusted to look good together; often, you've got to endure the indescribable tedium of creating hundreds (or thousands) kerning pairs. And when you consider that—counting alphabets, punctuation, accents and diacriticals, ligatures and other glyphs—a professional typeface has more than 200 characters (often many more)... Let's just say the time adds up. Short answer: it'd cost a whole lot of money to turn your great-grandmother's handwriting into a font. That is, unless we like it enough to want to sell the font as a member of our type library, in which case it's free, and you'll get complementary copies of all our typefaces. (We'd have to retain ownership of the font, however.)

12. I'd like to include a font credit—how shall I word it?
For example: "Lamar Pen™ was designed in 2003 by Brian Willson of Three Islands Press (3IP)." (If you don't know the year, feel free to send us email.) Please also let us know how/where you've used the font—and thanks very much for the credit!