Common font problems and ways to solve them

Overview

Font files are digital files that contain information about the design of a particular typeface. Computers and other devices use them to display text in a specific font style. Any font file contains information about the size, shape, and style of each glyph in the font. There are different types of font files( font types), such as TrueType (.ttf) and OpenType (.otf), Web Open Font File (.woff). They have their pros and cons and can be installed on a computer or embedded in a website to ensure that the intended font is used to render text.

Here we are going to explore the problems you may face working with font files as a designer, developer, or user.

Introduction to font files

Font files are an important element of design work. The appearance of the text in any design project depends on them. Designers need them to create unique typography fitting to the style, mood, or values of the project it is used for.

To work with a font file, you have to first install the file on the device. To download font files take these steps:

1. When you have found the font you need, click on the download button.
2. Select a location on your device where to save the font file.
3. Double-click on the file to open it. Here you can view and install the font using the Install" button.
4. When it is done, the font can be accessed and used in different design software, like, CorelDraw, Figma, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign. In these programs, designers can select the font and adjust its parameters to make it fit the design.

Using font files designers also can create new custom typefaces or upgrade the already existing fonts. This allows the creation of distinctive typography to enhance the visual impact of a design project.

Common font file problems

When working with fonts users can face a lot of problems. Here we are going to describe the most common of them.

Problem	Description
Display issues	Due to compatibility issues, outdated software, or incorrect font settings, some fonts may not render properly.
Size issues	Fonts may appear too small or too large so that it is difficult to read them or it causes layout issues.
Compatibility issues	Fonts may not be compatible with some software applications, platforms, or devices, causing display issues or errors.
Corrupted fonts	Due to accidental deletion, software conflicts, or malware, fonts can be corrupted. Then they may not display correctly or may not display at all.
Language support issues	Complex or rare glyphs like hieroglyphs can be absent in some fonts making it difficult or impossible to display text correctly.
Accessibility issues	Some fonts are just difficult or impossible to read or use for people with visual impairments or other disabilities.
Missing fonts	When a font file is missing or accidentally deleted, it is not available for use, and causes display issues or errors.
Licensing issues	Using font files without the proper license may result in legal issues.
File format issues	Each font format has its drawbacks. One of them is that they may not be supported by some software, browser, or device.
Installation issues	If you did not install fonts properly you may have errors or display issues when using them.

Identifying and resolving font file issues

As we already found out the main font problems, let’s learn how to identify and resolve them.

Font installation errors

Signs that a font file was not installed correctly:

• The font is not visible in the list of fonts available in your software.
• If some characters or glyphs are missing when you use the font.
• If you see that when you are using the font, it seems to have incorrect spacing or alignment.
• If the text is displayed with the default font instead of the font you applied to it.
• If you see an error message related to font installation.

How to solve font installation errors?

1. Reinstall the font. You will need to uninstall it and then install it again correctly. Make sure you follow the correct installation process for your operating system.
2. Check if the font file format is compatible with your operating system and the software you are using.
3. Make sure the font file is placed in the correct directory so it is recognized by the software.
4. Restart the software to ensure that it recognizes the font after installation.
5. Check for conflicts and try to disable the fonts that may be causing conflicts.

Font licensing issues

How to identify if there are font licensing issues?

1. Check the license agreement which outlines the terms of use. Read this agreement carefully to be sure that you are violating the licensing terms.
2. Look for licensing information embedded in the font file itself if there is any. It can be done by opening the font file in a font editing software or by right-clicking on it and choosing “Properties” (on a Windows system) or “Get Info” (on a Mac).
3. Check the source of the font to know if it originates from a reputable source. If it is from a website that offers free downloads of commercial fonts, there probably will be licensing issues.
4. Consult with a lawyer whose specialization is intellectual property law. By that, you can be sure whether your use of a font is in compliance with the licensing agreement.

How to solve font licensing issues?

License violations can lead to legal action, so you must take steps to rectify the situation immediately.

• The best is, of course, to stop using the font promptly and remove it from all the materials or projects where it was used.
• You can also try contacting the intellectual property owner and explaining the situation. They may offer you a solution to avoid any further legal issues.

Font compatibility issues

How to spot if there are issues with font compatibility?

• Missing characters or glyphs. It leads to the text may not display correctly, causing missing letters or blank spaces where they should be.
• When a font is missing on a system, the operating system or device may substitute it with a similar looking fallback font but you may spot the difference.
• Some fonts may not render well on specific systems, browsers, or devices. The text then may look distorted or hard to read.

Note: It is always good to test your fonts thoroughly across different platforms, devices, and browsers not to miss the comparability errors. Use different tools to manipulate fonts that allow you to see font metadata, preview fonts, or convert them to a more suitable format if needed.

How to solve font compatibility issues?

• Use standard fonts that are available on most operating systems like Arial, Times New Roman, and Verdana.
• Embed fonts in the document you work with to ensure that it is rendered well everywhere.
• Convert fonts to a compatible format.
• Update the software you are working on to the latest version. Newer versions often have better font support.
• Use web fonts if you are designing for the web. They are designed to work on different browsers.

Font file accessibility issues

How to spot if there are issues with font file accessibility?

• File format should be from ones that are widely supported, such as TrueType or OpenType. It is not a good idea to use older or proprietary font formats that may fail on some devices or operating systems.
• Font files can be really big and this can damage your website or application’s productivity. Try to keep font file sizes compact. If you use only some glyphs of the whole typeface, you can create a smaller font file from only the needed characters using Font Subset Generators.
• Make sure that you have the appropriate license to use the font file.
• Some font formats, such as OpenType, have accessibility features including ligatures, alternative glyphs, and multi-language support.
• Make sure that the font file supports Unicode so you can be sure that it can be used with a variety of languages and scripts.

How to solve font file accessibility issues?

• Use widely supported font formats.
• Optimize font file size by removing unnecessary characters, or compressing the file.
• Get an appropriate license.
• Enable accessibility features.
• Ensure Unicode support.
• Finally, test font files.

Corrupted font files

How to indicate that the font file is corrupted?

• The font file won’t install or gives you an error message when you try to install it.
• The font displays incorrectly or not at all.
• Strange, unusual characters or symbols. If you see them instead of the intended text when using a font, this could be a sign of that the font file is corrupted.
• When a font file causes an application to crash or become unstable.
• Some font validation tools can detect corrupted font files and fail validation.

How to fix problems with corrupted font files?

Here are some steps you can take to try to solve the problem:

• Re-download the font file from a reliable source.
• Use font repair tools available to fix issues with corrupted font files.
• Verify the font file and fix any issues that are detected.
• Try a different font format.
• Use fallback fonts to make sure your text is rendered if the default font fails.

How to prevent font file problems?

So to summarize here we will give you tips to prevent problems with font files. But following them you will be able to minimize the possibility of having any troubles with fonts.

• Always download fonts from reputable sources such as Google Fonts, Adobe Fonts, or other well-known font producers. Downloading fonts from sketchy websites may lead to getting viruses, malware, or corrupt files.
• Before installing a font, check its file integrity. There are file integrity tools on the web that can help you ensure the font file is fine.
• Install fonts correctly according to the instructions provided by the font producers or operating system. Some fonts require a specific installation process so the instructions should be followed carefully.
• Clear your font cache regularly. If you’re using a Mac, you can clear your font cache by opening the Font Book app, selecting File > Restore Standard Fonts, and then restarting your computer. If you’re using a Windows computer, you can clear your font cache by following the font cache clearing procedure.
• Avoid deleting system fonts as this can cause issues with your operating system.
• Avoid using too many fonts as it can cause issues, like slow performance or font conflicts. Stick to a few well-chosen fonts in the same document.
• Prefer using font files of optimal size as using large files can also cause slow performance. Make subsets from the fonts you have to lower the size of the files.
• Consider using font management software to organize and manage your fonts. It can also help prevent font conflicts.

Stick to these tips and you will prevent problems with font files and ensure your designs look great without any issues.

Additional resources

By the end of the article, it seems worth mentioning to share with you some additional resources that you can use to find answers to questions related to managing fonts. They are:

• Adobe Fonts User Guide - a popular service that allows you to manage and use fonts across multiple platforms. The user guide provides you with in-depth information on how to manage fonts using their service.
• Google Fonts Help Center - a free service that offers a wide range of open-source fonts for your website or your design projects. Their help center provides you with answers to common questions and troubleshooting tips.
• Microsoft Font library - a place where you can find lists of fonts available for the Windows Version you use and learn information about these fonts.
• Aspose Free Support Forum - if you use or are willing to use the Aspose.Font solution, this is where you can ask questions or find answers by browsing.
• Aspose Knowledge Base - here you can find information on how to use the API and some fundamentals.