So, first I should start off by saying that I love a good free font as much as the next person (unless of course you’re the one still using Times New Roman because it was the default font for windows over 7 years ago…then we’re probably nothing alike). It’s awesome that there are so many fonts readily available (and a good selection of fonts for commercial use too!) BUT that doesn’t mean that you should snub the ones that actually cost money. Here’s why you should pay for fonts:

1. Paid Fonts are Generally Better Quality

Here’s the thing about free fonts: some of they are terribly made. Today, there are so many “font maker” programs out there that anyone can get their hands on one, make a font and upload it to a site like DaFont. They’re not all good and they’re not all made equally. I see this especially in script-y fonts, sometimes all the letters don’t connect well or one letter always look funky next to another (which I’ll talk more about in #2). When a professional typeface designer creates a font, they usually start with a handdrawn version and scan it into their computer, from there they will manually trace these scans to vectorize each character. It takes A LOT of work, and I’ve read some typeface designers say that some of their fonts can take up to 7 years to create from start to finish. That’s dedication. That’s hardwork. That’s why some fonts can cost so much money. (Although, I should say that I’m sure not all pro designers do it this way since the popularity of drawing tablets)

2. The entire Alphabet and Symbols are included (and usually some fun extras: GLYPHS!)

Have you ever been using a free font and tried to add a comma or exclamation point only to find that there wasn’t one for that font? Seriously, How frustrating is that!? Paid fonts are made to include all characters (and are usually are made with extra language characters too, you know like the “n” with the “~” above it) and a lot of them will include some extras. This could be extra alternatives to letters (3 different choices for an “A” or an extra swash for the end word (SUPER fun stuff). This could also be fun little matching icons you can use in your design (as a designer, I don’t use these much, but if you don’t have much design knowledge they might be a fun edition to your project.)

3. You Won’t be Using The Exact Same Fonts As Everyone Else

This is probably the BIGGEST reason to buy some fonts. As great as free fonts are, the worst thing about them is that there are so few quality free fonts that it can seem like everyone has them. I’ve seen the Lobster font literally all over the place now, don’t get me wrong I like the Lobster font, but I’m always wary of using it on too many designs because I know everyone else is. I’ve seen it everywhere from large companies using it, packaging design and of course blogs and small businesses. I even saw it being used on an election sign for a woman running for office earlier this year. It has it’s place, but do you really want to be using the exact same font that everyone else is? I don’t! Paying for fonts gives you a ton more choices a better chance to have more unique fonts.

4. You’re free to use them for business/commercial purposes

Let me clarify, you should still read the license for any font you download or purchase, but most (if not all) paid fonts are okay for commercial use. I personally don’t download any non-commercial use fonts on my computer so I don’t have to take the time to remember if it’s okay to use or not- saves me some time :) It’s great to know that when I’m buying a font I have permission to use it on anything I sell in my Ruby and Sass Etsy Shop or in any of my client design work (again, do make sure to read each license though!)

5. You’ll get an entire font family instead of just one single font

This doesn’t necessarily apply to all fonts you’ll purchase, but there are a good majority that will have different weights (a variety of thin and bolder versions of a font, and maybe some italics too). and sometimes a font family will include some fun matching typefaces and contain a sans-serif, a serif and a script font that all go together. That means, you don’t even have to spend much time thinking about which typefaces go well together because the font designer has already done that for you! Typeface families are one of my favorite things about buying fonts! (And bonus! Sometimes typeface designers will give you a discount if you buy the entire font family)

6. You’ll make the person who designed the font happy

If you provide a service or sell a product, how good does it feel to sell one? Awesome, right? Someone likes you enough to pay you money for your skills. That’s probably ones of the best feelings, right? That’s what you’re doing for those designers. You’re providing a part of their income and livelihood, maybe even a passive income. And that’s just one of the perks of small business owners working together and supporting each other in their businesses.

Have I convinced you? What are you thoughts on spending money on fonts? I’ll admit it’s where a pretty good chunk on of my business expenses go. But, I’m a designer, if you’re a biz coach or a copywriter you probably don’t need a huge font budget, but setting aside a small chunk and getting a few every once in a while isn’t a bad idea. Don’t want to be spending money on all these fonts? That what font fanatic designers like me are for! We have all the fun fonts so you don’t have to :)

Do you have any fave fonts you’ve purchased? Or any you’ve had your eye on?

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Love the idea of buying fonts but don’t know which ones to choose for your brand?

Never fear! I’ve got a fun mini-package I’ll be offering in January that you’ll love.
It’s all about custom fonts and colors for your brand!

Stay tuned (and be the first to know by signing up here!)

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