Fonts
The Importance of Fonts in Printing: Why Outlining and Embedding Fonts is Essential
When preparing artwork for large format printing, one of the most commonly overlooked aspects is font management. Fonts play a significant role in conveying your brand’s message, but if they aren’t handled properly in your design files, they can cause major issues when it comes time to print. If you’ve ever sent a design to a printer only to receive something back that looks completely different from what you envisioned, there’s a good chance the fonts weren’t set up correctly.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why fonts can cause problems during printing, the common mistakes people make, and the best practices for ensuring that your fonts look exactly as intended on your final printed product.
Why Fonts Can Cause Problems During Printing
Fonts vary from computer to computer, depending on the software and fonts installed on each system. When you send a design file to a printer, their computer may not have access to the exact fonts you used in your artwork. If the font is missing, the computer will replace it with a default or generic font that it does have, leading to undesirable and often disastrous results.
Imagine sending a file with a modern, sleek font, only to have it printed with a generic serif font that completely changes the look and feel of your design. This can distort the message, affect brand consistency, and result in a final product that doesn’t match your vision.
This issue is especially common when sending design files created in programs like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign. If the fonts aren’t handled correctly, what appears on your screen might be drastically different from what gets printed.
Best Practices for Handling Fonts in Design Files
To avoid font-related issues during the printing process, it’s crucial to follow these best practices. Ensuring your fonts are properly outlined, embedded, or converted to curves will help guarantee that they print exactly as you designed them.
- Outline Your Fonts
One of the most reliable ways to ensure that your fonts display correctly in print is by outlining them. Outlining a font means converting it from editable text into a graphic element or shape. Once the font is outlined, it no longer depends on any font files, so it will appear the same on any computer, even if that system doesn’t have the original font installed.
Outlining fonts in design software like Adobe Illustrator is a simple process that can save you from potential printing headaches. After converting your text to outlines, your font becomes a vector image, which will maintain its sharpness and quality, no matter the size or printing method.
- Embed Your Fonts
Embedding fonts is another option to ensure they appear correctly in the final printed piece. When you embed fonts, the font files are included within the design document itself. This method is particularly useful in programs like Adobe InDesign, where embedding fonts is a common practice for creating print-ready PDFs.
By embedding fonts, you essentially package the font along with the design, so the printer has access to the exact font file you used. This method helps prevent font substitution errors, but it’s not foolproof—sometimes fonts are not licensed for embedding, and in those cases, outlining is the safer option.
- Convert Fonts to Curves
Converting fonts to curves is a similar process to outlining, but the terminology is often used in different design software, such as CorelDRAW. Converting text to curves ensures that the font becomes a vector-based image, meaning it no longer depends on font files to display correctly. This method, like outlining, is highly effective in guaranteeing that the font remains consistent during the printing process.
Why Proper Font Management Matters
Fonts are more than just a design element—they’re an integral part of how you communicate your brand’s message. Whether you’re designing a banner for an event, a sign for your business, or promotional materials for your next trade show, the wrong font can drastically alter the look and feel of your project. If your fonts aren’t managed correctly in the design file, you risk damaging the professionalism and coherence of your print materials.
Here’s why following best practices for fonts is so crucial:
- Brand Consistency: Fonts are a core element of your brand’s identity. If the wrong font is used in a printed piece, it can weaken your brand’s consistency and create confusion.
- Avoid Costly Reprints: If the wrong font is printed due to missing or substituted fonts, you may need to pay for a reprint—an avoidable expense that can also delay your project.
- Maintain Design Integrity: The fonts you choose are part of your overall design aesthetic. Proper font management ensures that your design looks as intended, maintaining its integrity and appeal.
How to Outline Fonts in Adobe Illustrator
Outlining fonts is a quick and easy process that can save you from potential printing issues. Here’s how you can outline your fonts in Adobe Illustrator:
- Select the text you want to outline.
- Go to the Type menu at the top of the screen.
- Click on Create Outlines.
Once you’ve outlined the fonts, your text becomes a vector shape, and you can’t edit the text anymore—so make sure to save a copy of your file with editable text just in case you need to make changes later.
Final Thoughts
Proper font management is a critical step in preparing your design files for printing. By outlining, embedding, or converting your fonts to curves, you ensure that your text appears exactly as intended, avoiding any unwanted substitutions or errors. This simple step can save you time, money, and frustration, and will help maintain the professional quality of your printed materials.
Remember, when it comes to large format printing, working with a professional graphic designer can make all the difference. Designers understand the intricacies of preparing files for print and can help ensure that every element, including your fonts, is perfectly set up for success. If you need assistance with your design or have any questions about preparing your files, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help!
For more tips on preparing your files for print, check out our Design Tips & Artwork Guidelines.