What is this all about, anyway?
Public Type Works enables type designers to get paid for the creation of fonts that will become open source upon meeting a financial goal, while providing supporters immediate downloads.
Why are these fonts for sale now if they will eventually be free?
Because none of the projects on this site are open source, yet. Each project here has a target ($$$) to supplement the corresponding design and functionality goals. Until that financial goal is met, the font will remain limited in terms of its capabilities and its licensing. If the project succeeds in reaching its goal 🤞 the foundry will then release the final version with an Open Font License (OFL) which also includes access to the source file(s)! Supporters will be emailed with the official release.
How can supporters use the fonts now?
Supporters will instantly receive the font file(s) which may vary per project. Some typefaces might include multiple weights and styles, while another might only include one. This often determines the minimum support price. Supporters can use these files in production for print and web commercial purposes, but only on workstations/servers/websites under their control. Meaning: the font files are not sharable with your co-workers/friends. Supporters should encourage people they know who would use the font to contribute on the project page, which will also get it closer to its goal.
What if a typeface here never meets its goal?
Supporters of project get to keep all files/license rights that they received when they contributed, but they don’t get a refund. Type designers can choose to pull their project(s) from this site if their goal is not met.
Why not use Kickstarter?
Kickstarter is cool but by doing this ourselves we cut the middle-person, saving transaction fees (8-10% of the total amount, which is not insignificant). We also don’t need a time limit for projects and don’t want creators to stress over a video. This also allows foundries to get paid for the work they’ve already done. And because of that there are no “failed” projects here. So unlike Kickstarter where as a backer you only pay if the project succeeds, here you pay immediately but you also get an instant download of the font in progress.
How is this different than Future Fonts?
Glad you asked because we love Future Fonts. That platform is inspiring and full of beautiful type from talented people. Their model gives early access to beta files, the fonts here are a little further along and include an interactive type tester. But there are two bigger differences: 1) if a project here meets its goal, it will no longer be for sale or looking for funds. It’ll be free for everyone. 2) While we also deliver complete (or nearly complete) files, there are no expected updates here unless the project goal is met.
I make fonts and I want in.
Great, we have an application process for that but are starting small with a limited number of designers. Note: this isn’t a collaborative type design process unless you’re part of a group/foundry. The designers here are making their own work unassisted.
Can I ask you something?
Absolutely, just fill out this form below 👇