Embedding fonts

Jack Michaelson's picture

He has: 1,733 posts

Joined: Dec 1999

I heard it's possible to embed fonts in websites. True? If yes-->how?

detox's picture

They have: 571 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

Yes it is possible, You have to download a small program called WEFT (?) from microsoft to enable this.

Here is a straight forward tutorial on the subject http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/design/fonts/tutorials/tutorial2.html

This quote is from a previous thread on the matter

Quote: Personally, I feel that embedded fonts are one of the worst ideas to ever hit the web. You're forcing your users to download the embedded font just to use some odd typeface and they don't even get a choice on whether or not to do it. It'll slow down your site for everyone and some font files can be huge. You'll be much better off in the long run if you stick to more commonly available fonts for the majority of the page and use gif/jpg images for the one or two areas that you want to highlight with really oddball specialty fonts. Your pages will load a lot faster that way and there are many standard fonts that look VERYsimilar to any specialty font.

Jack Michaelson's picture

He has: 1,733 posts

Joined: Dec 1999

"...and use gif/jpg images for the one or two areas that you want to highlight with really oddball specialty fonts"

I agree with that, but what if a whole page is to be designed in a certain style, making 'really oddball specialty fonts' necessary?

Shakespeare: onclick || !(onclick)

Fringey's picture

They have: 68 posts

Joined: Apr 2001

IMO, the font that you use or the body of the site is not that important if the basic design is good enough to convey the style. You can use really odd fonts in your graphics, you shouldn't NEED them for the content...

detox's picture

They have: 571 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

I'd have to say that I agree with fringey on that. Good design stands by itself. The other thing is that there are numerous studies with regards to content on the web. With most people you are fighting an uphill battle to get them to read all of it anyway. The best way you can aid this is by making your content legible, ie a standard font.

This isn't trying to dampen any creative urges!

Jack Michaelson's picture

He has: 1,733 posts

Joined: Dec 1999

I agree with all you are saying, but I still think that in some cases font embedding is the solution.

detox's picture

They have: 571 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

I know that there have been times when I have wanted to use embedding, but I have chosen not to. As web developers, designers etc, you make the choice that you see fit.

Anyway, hope that article cleared up some questions you had

Jack Michaelson's picture

He has: 1,733 posts

Joined: Dec 1999

yes it did, just forgot to say thank you, so:

Thanks!

Want to join the discussion? Create an account or log in if you already have one. Joining is fast, free and painless! We’ll even whisk you back here when you’ve finished.