The Problem of Pretty Text

Hit a bit of a snag in designing the layout yesterday, but it was late and I didn’t have the energy to remedy it. I’d knocked up a basic layout that I’m happy with more or less, but when I tried a test PDF it crashed out the printer. On checking the log, it turned out to be the fault of the decorative font I was using, so I now have to find another. One that doesn’t cause problems when I try and make a print-ready PDF.

Fonts are always a tricky part of the process. It’s not just a case of finding one that looks nice. It has to be either free to use or very cheap, but most free fonts have a clause in the license that means they can’t be used in commercial products without the creator’s consent, and a good deal of the time the email address included in the file is old and defunct, making obtaining that permission troublesome at best. Then there’s the problem that many fonts can’t be embedded into a PDF at all, and you can never be sure which are OK until you download, install and try them out. You *can* get programs that remove these restrictions but doing so without the cretor’s consent is again illegal. I’m also quite picky. The decorative font has quite an effect on the appearance of the finished document. It has to be strongly in-theme, something futuristic, readable and maybe slightly urban.

So, as usual, I’m struggling to find a font that is attractive, free or cheap to use, and can be embedded into a document. I’ve been through about six now and none of them have had all three attributes.

Oh well, keep on trying I guess. Something will turn up.

-Ash